Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1916-09-14
tue hope Of conserving the fuel sup

tue hope Of conserving the fuel sup
ply?
III you are aware OF these facts why
should you want to hamper and re-
tard water power development by add
'ng rentals, taxes or any other items
unnecessarily to its cost?
You and your friends have told the
4 country that a great and powerful
i lobby Is at work in Washington to in
huence water power legislation, with
the Implication that this influence Ia
improper. VIII you. for our informa-
/ ton and that of the public. identity
this lobby, say who composes it, what
interests they represent aud show any
improper or vicious efforts on its part
to influence legislation?
You have declared that in taking
over power plants that might be built
under the provisions of the Shields bill
the government would be required to
pay for an unearned increment In
lands taken by power OF condemnation
Granted under the act As matter of
fact and of law, are you not mistaken
II his declaration?
You charge that the bill does not
,;',cct public rights. because at the
49, of fifty years, in buying the plants,
{ government would be compelled to
q over transmission and distribute
u systems dependent upon the water
overs for their value Would you
e the government discourage invest
'it in such utilities by proposing to
gstroy the value of these properties at
u end of fifty years: If the govern
cent did buy the generating plant and
4 The distributing system, what
rould you propose it might do with
- power? You may say that the
note cost of the plant should be
E"rtized and the property turned over
the government free of cost at the
nj Of the period If SO. do you not
row that the amortization cost would
We to be added to power prices and
uuld operate to discourage water
FW2r development in the same man.
n and for the same reasons us would
Ire imposition of amy other form Of
ntf or taxation adding unnecessarily
. Tie cost Of power? Also. why should
he present and the next generations
e asked, during the pioneer stage Of
~ enterprise, to build and pay for q
iant IN order that future generations
III be given the property free of
ST and so allowed to enjoy cheaper
CIV H!
.AN2 consider use to he the highest
J.fu If conservation of water power.
he senate seems to agree with this
pc'iet Are you of the same opinioni
aot why not? If so. do you moi
grs,n that legislation which will en-.
uul1sc and stimulate maximum de-
&C. '''cnt and use is the most desir'
NE rm of water power legislation?
on seem to see an improperly In
~ TT that hydraulic engineers and
- q power men-men who know the
aAter power business-have been con
si', I'd by congress about this legisla
tion Whom would you consult to OBJ
n tie facts? If you were going tt
: rad house, would you employ al
; architect or poet to draw the plans
since the sole aim and purpose o.
;. this association is to give the wides
!. publicity possible to all the facts con
celGing water powers, in the hope tina
such publicity will bring about en-
: lightened public sentiment in favor o.
: legislation that will result in their de
? velopment and use. we are giving thi
letter to the press and invite you to d.
the same with your reply to thes'
questions"