Omaha daily bee., 1914-07-18
Nebraska
McAllister Tells
His Views About
Water Projects


LINCOLN, July 17.-CSpecisL)-J. j.
McAllister, q member Of the special COM
mittee appointed by the legislature TO
look into the proposition OF state water
power development has made a report
from a personal standpoint in which he
favors a number of propositions he
thinks thes tate ougt to take up in con-
nection with the development OF the
water powers OF the state The report Is
very long but in a short way covers the
following:
The constitution to be amended declar-
ing ownership of all natural streams to
be in the state forever conserved for the
benefit OF the people for all purposes.
The state to have a monopoly on tho
sale of all energy generated on streams
of the state.
Public utility combustion with right to
take over all power and supervise sale
should be created.
Declare rivers and flow therein ripisrisn
rights, the property OF the state.
Give cities single or group right to gen
crate power for industries and for heat
light and other purposes for their citi-
Zens.
Give cities right TO issue bonds far ac-
quirement Of power sites and develop
ment thereof
Counties shold be given right to acGire
and operate water power plants.
Another strain of legislation is pro-
posed which applies to private concerns
These recommendations are:
No right shall be leased for a period
of more than fifty years Right Of rever-
sipin at end of that time.
Water power companies TO be declared
public tilities
Reserve compensation for privilege 81
per horse power per year
value OF all plants to be FLY deter
line g all
pense TO be made with the railway com
mission.
No lease to be given to company not
able to carry on development. Bond to
state to secure development, and to
guarantee good faith OF applicant.
No assignment OF lease or power right
TIL development completed, then only
with consent of state.
Power to any person asking for it. on
equal terms for equal service. Sale OF
power at fair profit only.
No speculation allowed Fixed time for
completion of plants.
Combination to fix prices to mean for
feiture of rights.
No partial development allowed. No
more than one grant TO each company
until after all requirements complied with.
flans for all work filed with railway
commission.
No plant to be owned by or to form
part of any trust or be the sbject of
conspiracy to restrict otpt OF electrical
energy
All stock and bond data and full infor-
nation on company to be filed with the
board of irrigation
All books Of companies to be open 10
official and public inspection.
Schedule of rates to receive approval
of commission before becoming effective,
During life of lease lessee shall keep
all works in good condition.
Upon termination of lease all rights
and works to rest in state, the latter to
pay reasonable price for same to the
company which held the lease
All rights to be forfeited IL plant not in
operation one year after right Is granted
No power privilege to be granted Until
applicant shows II is not connected with
any other project, then in process of de-
velOpment
Bonding in excess of plant value to be
prohibited. All bonds or stocks issued TO
be sold by commission at public auction
or any other way commission shall di-
rect
Companies organized under this act
shall have tight of eminent domain
No company shall endanger public
travel on any road of state or street of
any city.
Transmission of power out of state to
work forfeiture of rights.
Monthly reports of operation to be
made to state body
Companies to pay for any damages in
CURED throsh their negligence OF through
loss as a result of their activity
Companies shall sell power to state at
same terms as TO individuals.