The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-06-02
LANE MUST FIGHT
WATER POWER MEASURE NOW
IN CONGRESS DOESN'T SUIT
coNsERvATIoNIsTs
PROBABLY WILL BE PASSED
President Wilson May Veto It-Advo-
Gates of Federal Control Say the
Compensation is Inadequate
and Misleading.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.


sanction of congress for all the con-
Eervation bills which he has recon-
mended with one exception, that which
concerns federal control of the water
power of the country. 1t is, of course,
possible that eventually the secretary
will win out in this matter, but at
present there seems to be de-
termined effort in congress to put
through water power measure which
will not satisfy the ardent advocates
of conservation.
Some years ago the National Con-
servation association outlined water
power policy which was given the in
dorsement Of Theodore Roosevelt, who
then was president Of the United
States, and of the conservationists of
the country led, by Clifford Pinchot.
With the change of few details this
measure has been advocated by the
conservationists in congress, and out
of it ever since. Senators and
representatives have not been willing
to listen to the pleas of the conserva-
tionists on this water power matter,
and while willing that some other con-
servation measures should go through,
they seemingly made up their minds
against such water power law as the
National Conservation association de-
sires to have passed.
When the Democrats secured con-
troll of the administration, the advo-
Gates of federal control in all conser-
walton matters feared that under the
states rights doctrine the states would
be given all authority, and that the
people as a whole would not get
proper returns for leases of the ma
tional resources, among which is wa
| ter power. The conservation program
of the Democrats, however, has been
| to a considerable extent to the liking
| of the coRservationists, but in the
water power matter the advocates of
federal control say that the Democrats
are not properly safeguarding the peo-
pies rights.
President Stands With Lane.
Secretary Lane always has been
known as a conservationist and it
appears he and the president think the
present water power bill in congress
is not strong enough to secure to the
government, which means to the peo
pie of the United States, all the re
turns which it should get from the
leasing of the power to private cor
porations.
The bill, which covers the whole
water power question it seems likely
will go through the house, for it is
understood that it has the backing Of
the house leaders. The measure has
been given a privileged status which
means that it will be debated early
and probably passed. 1t is believed
in Washington the president does not
think the bill is a good one and it is
virtually certain that it does not have
the support of the secretary of the in
terror.
The senate, it is understood, is moi
opposed to this bill, against which the
charge is made that it gives to watel
power corporations pretty nearly
everything that they ask. The conser
vationists say their hope lies in the
president of the United States, ant
they are quite sure their confidence
that he will veto the measure is mo-
misplaced.
Compensation Clause Called Bad.
The conservationists say the bill fol
general water power legislation seems
to be held generally by the country tt
be an excellent measure. This feel
ing arises, they say, from the reports
that have gone out that it contains
ample compensation to the federal gov
eminent for the use of the water
power. They urge a careful reading
of one section of the bill in order tha
people may make up their minds as Il
just what It does mean.
1t is section of the bill to which
strong objection is made 1t change:
existing law so as to provide "that
the compensation required from the
owner of the dam on account of bene
fits accruing because of headwatel
improvements, the erection of reser
voirs, etc, shall be collected to ar
amount not exceeding 5 per cent pei
annum upon the total investment cost
of such improvements to the United
States. in addition to the annual ex
penses of maintenance Of the headwa
ter improvement, all Of which shall be
divided among all the dams on the
stream receiving benefits from the In
creased flow, and shall be equitably
apportioned among all the benefci
aries"
The conservationists say that IL
would seem from this perhaps that
the government Is going to get a real
return for its money, but they urge
that It does not mean this at all. AS
they put it, the government not only
j owns the improvements In the shape
OF reservoirs and other things which
1t has built, but it owns the right to
the water powers Of the streams, q
right that has been sustained by the
Supreme court. The conservationists
point out in the measure now pending
the governments rights to the water
powers themselves are not compen-
stated for at an, and these powers, they
say, are much more valuable thar
lDcls and dams and other things.