Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-10-11
THE SCHEME WORKED THE WRONG WAY

The journal OF ELECTRICITY, ROVER ana GdS,
ing on the Western States Water Power Conference at
Portland some two weeks ago is far from pleased at the
manner in which that conference was conducted 1t
points out that the question of water-power was side
tracked and the conference devoted its time to berang
the federal conservation policy generally. 1t says
"From the hydroelectric standpoint, the results Of
the Western States Water Power Conference at Portland
last week were negative. Water power became merely
side issue in general condemnation Of the federal con-
servation policy The main issue obscured in the
opposition to all legislation having to do with leasing
unappropriated public lands.
"Those who are anxious to develop our latent and
wasting water resources have business in quarrel
with the Federal Governments policy of handling tim
ber and mineral lands The oStensibe purpose of the
meeting was lost sight of in futile and foolish effort
to stem the tide of popular opinion which has been
aroused on this subject
The Forest Service officials apparently had intended
to attend this meeting in spirit of compromise They
conceded the need for legislation and were anxious to
learn the ideas of Western hydroeectric people. They
admitted the right of the several states to control un
appropriated waters The original contention of Clifford
Pnchot that the control of the land carried with it the
control of the water appertanng thereto is no longer
Countenanced by some of the leading officials of the
Department Of the Interior
"Hence it is evident that an attempt has been made
to use the power controversy catspaW to pull out
the chestnus of other interests And to that extent this
meeting is disappointment to those who working
for opportunity to develop the great water powers of
the West"
The charming frankneSs of its statement in the last
paragraph above is highly commendabe 1t charges that
"an attempt has been made to the power controversy
as catspaw to pull out the chestnuts of other interests
What the Journal of Electricity, Power and Gas
neglected to call attention to that those dsnerested
and great hearted people who, it says Are working
for opportunity to develop the great water powers of
the West" had themselves brought in the other inter
estsN for the purpose of using them caSpaw to pull
the chestnuts for the Water Power people. 1t was a
great scheme but the fact that the other interests
switched the cut and dealt the cards differently dropped
monkey wrench in the running gears and disarranged
the machinery.
The history of our coal lands and our timber lands
points unewngy to what would become of the immense
water powers of the coast that belong to all the
people, should these gentlemen, posing public bene
factors working for opportunity to develop the great
water powers of the west once get title to them Oregon
has an estimated horsepower of above four Millions il
its streams This power the part of it easily available
say two million horsepower leased at one dollar pei
horse power year would pay the running expenses o.
the state With anything like fair rental such the
companies would charge if they owned them, the income
would run the state and leave several millions of dollars
annually for road building for schools 1t would pu
Oregon in the front rank of states with light taxes;
great inducement to settlement and to manufacturing
industries.
The time is not far distant when electricity will TAX,
the place Of wood and coal in heating our houses anC
cooking food, well as furnishing light and power
1t would be crime to permit this vast wealth to be taker
from the people, and turned over to few large hearted
phianthropstS, who are working for opportunity t
develop the great water powers of the West and take
them away from the people, in order to sell their us