The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-13
MEASURE WILL HIT SHOALS. IN HOUSE
 ADVOCATES FEAR
Will Be Opposed by the So-
 Called COnservationists. Should Save Hundred Mil
 lion Tons of Coal Annually
By HUGH ". ROBERTS

l1 WaSnlnSIOfl, MdfcH l1.--NopeCldi.l Judging from the fact that Senator 'Eankhead and Senator Underwood have |Ieen overwhelmed by the unanimous Reorganization of citizens of the Ten lessee valley, it is evident that Ala |iamians believe that as result of the |iassage of the Shields dam bill, 9 Treat blessing will be in store for the |ltate
 lI The measure, after a long, hard fight Ilassed the Senate by big majority, |b will encounter shoals in the House. lh is opposed by the so-called conser- llationists, although Senator Shields lIontends that as the development Of Ehtent waterpower will prevent the com ;lumption of 100,00O,000 tons of coal ller .annum, the advocates of the bill slre the real conservationists.
 " At any rate, the idea obtains that If Ihe bill is eventually enacted into law, llll streams in Alabama capable of gen '1rating power, will be developed, and 1hat the state, q result. will be inn enriched. All dams con Itructed by individuals or corporations. Will cost the government nothing and Iiust be an aid to navigation. The in l'ividual or corporation constructing ghe dam retains lease without taxa 'ion for 50 years.
 THE BILLS TERMS < Under the terms of the bilL the Sec |astary of War is authorlzedsto grant 'erImits for dams and power plants 'Ehere he believes the building of such ans will improve navigability of dreams Iams are to be built Nitao-t lost to the government, and the |rantees are to provide and operate |pcks. gates, sluicheways, etc. all with Nut cost to the government. Permits hay be granted to individuals, politi- Ial subdivisions of states. cities or |ther municipal corporations, or to pub He untility corporations. lnstrastate Elusiness and rates of companies operat- Ing under the act are to be regulated fy the states, and interstate service Ind rates by the interstate commerce Commission.
 ! All plans for dams and works are to pc
  Ing the most adaptable plans for improve |hent of navigation and fullest develop- |bant of water power possibilities. The J|rantee is to pay a rental for puphc |hnds used, and charge for rights and Privileges in use of water, these rentals End charges to be fixed at the discretion If the Secertary of War, and the money Received from same to go into special lind in the United States treasury to be Used for further improvement of water Iays. Actual construction work on any Eroject is to be begun within two years If the granting of the permit. and the korks are to be completed within such Reasonable time as the secretary may pre- |cribe. For failure to complete the works Is directed, or for violation of the pro lisions of the act or noncompliance With Regulations or orders of the war depart hent, the grantee is subject to heavy cash Penalties or to revocation of the grant FIFTY-YEAR PERMITS l Permits are to be granted for 50 years, liter which time the government may |ither extend the original lease, make a l ew grant, or upon one years notice take . yer the property upon payment of it's lair value, this value to be determined by |autual agreement or by the federal ourts, and not to include any allowance or any rights granted by the govern bent. The bill also provides that no value l f rights granted by the government . hall be allowed in fixing rates to con- tuners. Dams locks and other structures | sed primarily for improving navigation
 re to be exempt from taxation.
 Municipality owned dams and power
 lants for irrigation or for supplying
 ower for municipal purposes. are to be
 iven preference in making leases for
 urplus water powers in the streams
 The measure contains drastic anti
 monopoly clause, providing that no dam
 I works constructed under it's provisions hall be owned leased. controlled or op-
 rated ''by any device or in any manner that they form part of or in any way
 fleet any combination in the form of an
 nlawful monopoly, or form the subject
 any unlawful constraint or conspiracy limit the output of electrical energy
 r in restraint of trade"