The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-03-18
Smith INTRODUCES BILL.
To AUTHORIZE THE WITHDRAW
AL OF WATER POWER
PLANTS.
would Allow Manufacture of Nitrates
and Other Fertilizers-Measure
Brought Before Senate is Consider.
ed as One of Prime hmportancc.

Washington, March 12.-Senato- e.
p. Smith introduced the following bill
to authorize the designation and with
drawal Of water power sites and the
construction of water power and other
plants by the United States for the
manufacture of nitrates, and other
products useful in the composition of
fertilizers and munitions Of war:
BE it enacted by the senate and
house Of representatives Of the
United States in congress assembled,
That the president, at any time. in
his discretion. may, by executive or
der. designate. for the exclusive use
Of the United States. any site upon a
navigable river. the improvement Of
which for purposes Of navigation will
make available at such site surplus
water power over and above the needs
tor navigation. After being so desig-
mated, and. until the designation is
modified or revoked, and for the pur-
poses authorized by this act.
Section 2. The president may also,
at Hny- time. in his discretion, with.
draw from settlement. location, sale
or entry: and reserve for the exclusive
use Of the United States, including
the ~ territory OF Alaska, whether
within national forests OF other re-
|servations or Withdrawals. which are
valuable as water power sites for the
purposes ofsthia act, or which contain
limeatone. phosphate. coal. or other
minerals OF materials needed for the
production iof nitrates or other pro-
ducts. az contemplated in this act.
"ssction =. The secretary Of agri-
culture is authorized and directed to
investigate. and to recommend for
designation or withdrawal, such dam
sites water, power sites. and mineral
or other lands. as ip his opinion will
be necessary for carrying out the
purposes Of this act and is further
authorized to construct. maintain. and
operate, at.or on any site SO designat.
ed or withdrawn, dams, locks. other
improvements to. navigation, power
|ho'fses;- and other plants and eQuip-
ment NECESSARY or convenient for the
generation OF. electrical or other pow
er and for the production. OF nitratss
or other products useful in the manu-
factMre OF fertilizera and munitions
Of war: Provided. That all plans
and specifications for dams In navi-
gable rivers shall be submitted to and
approved by the secretary Of war.
Section 4. The secretary of asri-
culture is authorized to lease, pur-
chase. or acquire by condemnation,
gift, or device. such lands and rights
Of way as may be necessary for the
construction and operation Of such
plants and to take from any lands Of
the United States or to purchase or
acquire by condemnation, materials
and minerals necessary for the con-
struction or operation of such plants
and for the manufacture Of such pro.
ducts.
Section s. The products Of such
plants shall be subject to requisition
by the secretary of war or the secre-
tary Of the navy for military or naval
purposes. and any surplus not SO re-
Questioned may be sold and disposed
Of by the secretary of agriculture un-
der such regulations as he may pre-
scribe.
Section 6. The sum of fifteen mil
lion dollars is hereby appropriated,
out of any moneys in the treasury not
otherwise appropriated. available un-
til expended, to enable the secretary
OF agriculture to carry out the pur-
poses Of this act"
Explaining his bill, Senator Smith
said:
One Of the objects of my bill is to
give the government the power to be
absolutely independent Of private COR
porations in time Of need for the mu-
nitions of war. 1t takes away from
private corporations the temptations
to use their influence to instigate war,
II by war the commodities which they
manufacture will be in great demand
and at high prices. On the other hand,
It will enable the government to sup
ply the elemental need of the farm,
the prime essential to all successful
agriculture. fertilizer for the aoil.
There ia nothing that the govern
ment can do which will give as imme.
diate return as furnishing an adequate