The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-24
Voice Of the People
1.-THE Gate City does not assume re-
sponsibility for views expressed by

Asks for ! Plank.

To the Editor OF The Gate City:
Some time ago l quoted another to
the effect that the conservation Of
power and the control of floods both
begin on the spot what the water falls
and both should be under national
control. What was coming to, be seen
in 1907 was apparently decided as
fact seen in 1913 by the supreme
court in the Chandler-Dunbar case,
where "the government has supreme
and exclusive control Of all water
power in all navigable streams and
their tributaries throughout the ma
ion," andthe movement to induce con-
gress to exercise this power was at
once perceptible. Tributaries at once
included creeks. This ono decision is
in the way of fit state action even IL
it was not quite as sure that most
states necessarily are unfit to handle
foods. States have no diplomatic de-
partments. The handling of water
along the Mexican border has at least
the diplomatic character If not ma
tional legislative aspect. The drain
age water of the Red river OF the
north is at least planned by the ma
tional government to be handled in
connection with proper highways
through the valley, the Office Of ex-
pertinent stations bearing quite part
Of the expense of planning. This same
office acting in Kansas has actually
begun figuring with the read waters
on the farms. SO it is difficult to see
what there is state tan properly do
or do properly. and vet only recently
in Houck vs.. Little river drainage
district we see the state Is upheld in
its taxing power exercised by unfit
local administration barely short of
confiscation, for any taxation by local
expertmenters with only local data is
in fact so nearly arbitrary as to be a
fragrant abuse; but the court is not
going to see far enoogh to safeguard
the interests of investors in lands
thus crudely left to state or local ad-
ministration even when a national
quotation implies some advance is
needed. A recent editorial rightly
holds that the increase of farm pro-
ducts is a first thing in preparedness.
This increase cannot be If both nation
and state are dabbling. A first plank
should be for general national recla-
nation.
The power at Keokuk is only a be-
ginner. 1t was planned Under data
that might not apply If any and all
dabblfng with drainage is allowed, for
the flow of water is under natural law
best understood by the engineers of
the experiment office, I'D yet the
writer can show those engineers
do not seem to dare of any
action save as chance Ider some
local body may offer. The curt means
to allow state imposition even when
national action is pending. There
can scarcely be due looking into
the use of water power wnen the mat.
tiers that affect power are uselessly
delayed pending some adequate plank
and campaign. proper plank is ad-
vocated now because 1t is becoming
evident there can be no logical nomi-
nee, only pledged candidate, and
our preparedness depends more on fit
party action than on congressional
action under any court decision.
! In 1913 1t was held by chief engi-
neer that 1.-The construction of levees
must ordinarily be carried out under
state laws. owing to the present divi-
sion of authority between the state
and federal governments as made in
the U. S. constitution" and yet this
work many times affects interests in