The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-25
HYDRO-ELECTRIC BILL TO
PASS THE SENATE TODAY
EFFORTS TO AMEND MEASURE
FAILED IN UPPER HOUSE
YESTERDAY.
Bill Is Iron Clad and Vests Public
Service Commission With
PIensry Powers
sy W. r. kEYsER
tstsr correspondent)

CHARLESTON. ". Va. Feb. "a
Protection Of the people from danger
through the bursting OF dams and the
conservation Of the states natural
water power were regarded as the
paramount issues in the consldera.
ton Of the Hinerman hydro electric
act. BY the senate today. and the bill
was advanced to its third reading
practically without change.
Only a few amendments were
adopted and they really strengthen
the act. while all proposals which
would tend to limit or minimize the
power and jurisdiction OF the public
service commission In its absolute au-
thority over the operation of the act.
were promptly voted down.
The bill Is iron clad in it's purpose
The granting OF rights TO build and
operate power plants is in the hands
of the public service commission.
which body has the power to make
rules and regulations which may be
necessary TO carry out the provisions
OF the act. No permit shall be grant
ed except 10 corporation created
and organized under the laws OF this
state. No franchise or permit is to
be granted for a longer period than
fifty years. and the state has the right
TO acquire and operate plants subject
10 the provisions Of the act. The pub
lic service commission is given au-
thority to supervise the erection of
dams and plants. the construction OF
which must conform TO plans and
specifications that may be prepared
BY the public service commission.
Fought TO Amend.
The fight TO amend the bill was led
on the floor OF the Senate by Senator
4 Bliss McCrum OF Preston. and he
was backed by Senators Billings,
blessing. Coalter. Hatfield. Marshall.
Parrish. Rosenbloom and White.
The bill was defended by Senator
Gregory OF Wood. with an alignment
OF nineteen members, including ali
Democratic Senators except Hatfield,
OF Mongolia. Senators GoodyknOontz
and Gregory. Republicans. and sena-
tor Morton. Democrat. made several
speeches against amendments pro-
posed by McCrum and Marshall.
The amendment proposing TO strike
out the section which limits granting
OF permits 10 only corporations organ
lied in this State and substituting
section which would permit companies
complying with the West Virginia
defeated. after-ellcfting strong speech
es from Senators Goodykoontz and
Morton. The former objected to let
ting tramp corporations" come into
the State and obtain a monopoly OF
the only aud last great natural re-
source left in the State Senator Nor
ton emphatically declared the Legisla-
ture should legislate FIRST for West
Virginia, and West Virginians.
An amendment was proposed 10 give
corporations obtaining permits mo
right to condemn and acquire plants
now In operation but this was de-
feated
The bill was amended at the in
stance Of its advocates by striking out
the table Of ratio OF resistance OF pro
posed dams. ami leaving this matter
within the discretion OF the public ser
vice commission. No permit for con-
struction OF dams shall be granted un-
less the commission finds and enters
Of record that the proposed dams will
BE- safe and secure beyond doubt
Grows Sarcastic.
The latitude given the commission
In its Jurisdiction over the streams OF
the state as well as water power op.
erations is 80 broad that Senator ROs
onbloom sarcastically moved to amend
the bill by striking out the section
which provides that nothing contained
Ia the act shall be construed 20 inter.
fere with the exercises Of Jurisdiction
By the Federal Government over nav.
iRable streams
After the bill had been read sec