The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-23
TO OPEN u. s. RIVERS
FOR WATER POWER
Reversible Permits VIII H.,
Extended ~ - Year,
by New Bill.
PART or ECONOM\ PLAN

WAsHISGToN. Dec 2. Tao t..,
%irstion bill providing Tor tho ~. o. a.
Nc lands and national forests ro- o,.,
power development has been coaip.eal
and will be introduced when cons...
reassembles on January This
first or n series or conse walton ,.
ures that the Administered
deavor to have nacted into Loss ~,
session. II was drafted By N,p,, 81,
tive Ferris Of Oklahoma, claaY,,
the House Committee on Puo'lc Lam,
and has been Endorsed on behalf Of
Administration by Secretary 81 tie
terror Lane.
The bill proposes the substitution q.
a DEFINITE ifty wear tenure IN place =,
the revocable permit authorized b, O.,
listing law. The right r. reS,r..d
"a Ike over the properties AZ the end 81.
fifty years and OIL rot less than tina,
years notice with due c,npersstior
Renewal may be made or tie r.rr',
transferred to another. PERMITS Az.
~irrevooable except on brcncn of con.
dltions.
states Retain Control,
The regulation and control a. nor.
vice and charges to consumer, ps Va.
" tho supervision OF stock and bona
issues, are left to the State where ,ns
plant Is located. and assumed ny IN.
Federal Government only whera III.
plant Is In p Territory or where II Ir.
wolves m interstate use Of the nou.,
Where he development is In q stat.
which has not provided "A commis.,o,
or other authority 10 REGULATES rates ard
service authority is retained by IN,
Government until such time ~ IA.
State may create a regulatory BODY
individuals and corporations holdIr,
rerocable permits under the presen, lau
are given option to exchange them IN, a,
nifty year tenure under the proposed ac,
The bill In M way interferes with Law.
and regulations of tho State relating :,
appropriations, use or distribution nj,
water
The bill authorizes the Secretary n,
h Interior TO FIX in the lease and col
lect rentals for public lands. mea su-ed
by the power developed. the proceeds .,
he used as part OF a fund for the lr-l.
cation Of arid lands In Western state.
Demand IL Crsent.
In n letter commenting on the Pes
bll secretary Lane says that there ,
urgent demand for UGH legislation
THE failure to use the water pov.-
resources of the country is al ecoror 4,
waste" he writes. Goal. oil. gas and
timber which could he conserved fo- ~.
future or for use IN localities ahe-.
power In not available are row HON.
consumed In places where inexhaus,!h'.
water power could be had.
Lands which would produce shGr
liant crops under irrigation a~ h.r,
arid and ~unproductive because of IT,.
failure to develop hydroelec'rHc power
which would pump water TO them. r.
nitrates in the atmosphere. a source -
wealth and means Of providing Tor -
regeneration of existing soils and .
providing an available supply o. ',.r.
sary materials FOR war or prepara' p,
for war. continue unused because ~ --
lack Of cheap n extensive pove- d.
velopment. Available capital lies .a
because II will not he hazardod ur,
h present revocable PERM, law \
OF these conditions and many ON.
which might he set out Justify and "a
for the reenactment OF the ler STAT or
proposed"
The Ferris bill "a N he called e. ',
House early In January, with iudica'o,.
that II will he speedily passed