Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-02-17


Der of the Outlook by Hugh Cooper the engineer of the
great hydoeecrc plant the Mississippi river at keokuk
Iowa.
One of the reasons advanced the backward devel
opment of water power is the successful competition o.
steam plants Mr. Cooper says: n 1912 over 5000 power
stations investigated by the federal department of commerce
showed that the steam stations earning surplus OF
Al cent above fixed charges and the water power COM
panes were earning only 1.75 cent He says also; Inc
cost of water per horsepower may be taken
at about five times that of steam.
If these figures correct, is probable under all
the circumstances and indicated by another noted en-
gneer in the Electrical World of January Is, the champions
of the Burlington municipal electric plant which operated
by steam would to have effectua answer to the
power In however water companies are Try
ing to pay dividends enormous capitalization whch TENDS
to keep rates for the consumer AS r cooper SHOWS
however competition has made rates for power lower to-day
In view of the water power problems confronting the
people of Vermont well study Mr. Coopers PROPOSE
tons provided we bear mind constantly that he speaks
from the national standpoint Mr. Cooper shows that the
modern of water has become possible only through
hydraulic governor which automatically regulates the
of the water delivered to the water wheel according
to the power needed cost fifteen years of time and $4,000
900 develop This governor, however represents only
per cent. of the cost of a hydro-elecrc plant ,
In spite of the large cost of hydro-elecrc rents Mr..
Cooper shows of the counrys coal well
other considerations demand the development Of water
power The Importance of this development for the farmers
of Vermont regards fertilizers well local motive
for farm operations which central steam plant
could provide, shown by the statement that American
capital to the eventual tune of about $75OOOOO is looking
the development of water in Canada for the
acture of fertilizers and nitric acid for consumption for the
most part of the United States.
query desire to right here is why industries
of this kind not be located right here in Vermont where
have water to burn If the capital which is now
transmitting anywhere per of its electric
current generated with water from our Vermont nils TO
other States would show interest in helping to esab
sh industries to use that power here in Vermont our people
would not have much complain at present
The tendency however is to cross State lines with lines
blocked with the of with interstate
merce This is entirely different proposition from the
tona lands
Concerning this latter problem Mr.. Cooper The
franchise should be evocabe for not less than fifty
at the end of which time the government should have the
right to take the property by paying fair value
small representing rental of land and cost of
eminent administration of the lease When to rates.
The rates the consumers pay should be fixed by the
themselves through their own Public Service
tice except pending the establishment Of commissions in
reasonable legislation however the rghtfu ground that
water power if make conditions attractive for Ameri
can investors since longer reasonably look for
The Outlook editoray emphasizes the justice of federal
regulation of hydroeectrc plants 1t shows that by their
very nature water powers are monopos there being only
power regulate and confirmed by the
Supreme Court order to ensure Justice for both
the Outlook says that the government should retain
ship of all land on which water powers are developed that
the water owners should be tenants only that the
lease should be long enough to justify the investing of
capital.
Significantly enough bill passed the national House of
Representatives the third week January which meets the
conditions named and Others by providing for the
ing of public lands for hydroeectrc development 1t gives
50year franchise with the possibility of renewal and with
allowance Of compensation for plant if the property
acquired leased another company the end of the half
century. In granting franchises will be taken to guard
against monopoes But the tenure and status of
pany which receives franchise will be stable. The
rentals except for slight percentage to flow into the
reclamation fund.
The passage of this bill has been hailed victory for
the administration of President Wilson in ways than
The West stood for State control of such plants
public land instead of federal CONTROL but the theory
forced yield necessity This is the fourth of the ad
mnstraons quintet of conservation bills, that remaining
dealing with methods of dsposng of OIL coal phosphate
and potash from government possessions without danger
of monopoly non-use
Many experts have urged that the passage of the Will
hyroeectrc bill and the consequent great advance in
water power development would that almost every
home in the region of federal lands would have city
venences and comforts.
If this the then there is every why the
people of Vermont should insist the carrying out of
the plank incorporated in republican platforms promising
for the development OF waterpOWer in the Green
Mountain State and its conservation for the ultimate benefit