The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1916-12-29
Can We Afford To Delay Longer.

From an industrial standpoint the
general public does not seem To
realize the Importance OF the passage
Of workable water power legislation
at once, says a writer for the Pacific
Coast Manufactures
Never was the need 90 or. at, he
says.
Our good American dollars are
pouring into investments in South
America, China, Canada, Norway and
European countries for power develop
ment purposes simply because our
Own laws, it Is claimed, do not en-
courage the Investment OF capital for
this purpose in cur own country.
Never before has such an oppor-
tunity been offered the investor 10
put his money into power develop.
ment and yet we are standing still.
Congress has not failed TO recognize
the Importance OF this matter and
many measures have been discussed
The Ferris bill as amended in the
senate and The Shields bill seem to
offer workable legislation.under which
the public interests are protected and
at the same time capital encouraged
to invest.
Craftsmanship instead OF politics
should decide this matter il Is averred
and legislation encouraging our 10
dustrial growth should be the demand.
The passage by Congress of laws
permitting. under suitabl safeguards
the development OF available water
power at sites requiring Federal per-
mlts would, it is pointed out, result:
First. In construction under gov
ernment supervision but without cost
to the government of navigation
facilities vastly improving waterways
now used for transportation and
opening up for navigation thousands
OF miles OF waterways not now navi.
gable.
Second. In creating in connection
with such navigation improvements
an enormous total of hydroelectric
power TO be used in making nitrate
fertilizer TO supply at low cost the
farmers Of the South and East.
Third. In beginning great con
struction works which would use
capital now idle and keep IL n this
country against the competitive de-
mands of European countries rebuild
ing at the close Of the war, and
against further competition from at
tractive investment opportunities in
South America and elsewhere.
Fourth. In beginning great con.
struction works which would employ
many thousand men, skilled and un-
skilled.
Fifth. 10 the development In con-
nection with such navigation i'm
provements Of hydruelectric power
for the operation of railroads by
electricity with added comfort to
passengers and enormous savings of
labor, fuel and operating expense,
thereby vastly improving the 0nan-
cial situation of the railroads with
out increasing the expense Of shippers
] Sixth. In enabling this country to
take the lead In producing 'electrlc
steel" at low cost and in enormous
quantities, "eleclr,c steel' bringing
into use low grades of ore heretofore
economically excluded.
Seventh. In irrigation develop
menls dependent upon cheap power
for pumping purposes and upon water
storage, both supplied in connection
with navigation improvements.
Eighth. In preventing floods
through regulation Of ream flow BY
reservoirs aud other navigation i'm
prov ments constructed without cost
TO the government.
Nihth. In retaining in the United
States the energy, skill, and capital
of Americans who, il restrictive laws
continue, will h4 forced as some al
ready have been, 10 seek aud develop
htdroelectric power for their uses in
Canada, Norway aud other foreign
countries.