The Detroit times., 1917-11-22
These Resources Should
BE Developed In the Name
OF the COuntry's People!

The United States was at peace, peo
pie were coutentedly at their work anc
there was no war cloud anywhere wher
this newspaper first enlisted in the fight
for conservation Of the country's natural
resources.
Little progress was made in that direc-
ton, however, and in spite Of the vigor-
GUS campaign conducted by men like
Clifford Pinchot, supported by newspa-
pers Independent Of capitalistic interests,
they continued in Washington 20 peddle
these resources into private hands for
continued mulcting Of the public
Efforts to awaken Washington proved
futile. but it may be now the United
States is at war. it viii dawn upon our
lawmakers that the consevationists
were engaged in line Of endeavor look
ing toward the needs Of the country at
this time.
In this struggle Of war our security
requires US to use all Of our resources
and to use them wisely and well.
Among other things, the people own
some 100000 undeveloped horsepow-
er, or what is estimated TO be nearly
enough TO run every train, trolley, fac
tory, mill, mine and electric power plant
we have.
For 10 years the conservationists
urged the development OF this water
power in the public interest, but devel-
opment was held back by a little group
of magnates and their friends in congress
who were able to block legislation.
Today, when the nation needs al It's
resources, the same men who have been
blocking reasonable waterpower legisla-
ton, own and are holding millions Of
water horsepower undeveloped and out
Of use while clamoring for more.
Now, according to the declaration Of
Clifford Pfnchot, whose heart and soul
have been given TO the effort TO save the
peoples wealth to the people, the time
has come when such obstruction threat
ems the nations safety and success. He
declares we need the development Of
these powers in war even more than IN
peace, and recommends that at the com
ing session of congress sound water
power legislation should be enacted as a
war measure, based upon principles fair
to all sides. These principles he outlines
as follows
The thing to do with waterpower is 10 develop
IT. Whatever retards or restricts the develop
ment OF public waterpowers on terms fair 20 the
public II against public policy and hostile 70 the
general welfare.
waterpower belongs 70 the people The sites
where II is produced should always be held b.
public hands. for only 20 can effective control IN
the general interest be secured
Where public development is not desired. the
right 70 use waterpower sites should be leased
for periods long enough 20 permit sound atfrac-
tive. and profitable investment but never longer
than 80 years. At the end or each lease ar
rights should return 70 the people who gave
them
In order 20 protect the consumer against sx
tortion. rates and service should be regulated by
federal authority when state or local authori-ies
fail 10 do So
Reasonably prompt and complete developrn ent
and continuous operation. subject to market con
ditlons, should be required Already millions OF
water horsepower are held out OF use 20 further
monopoly by private corporations
Corporations or individuals who make money
out Of rights granted by the people should share
their prohts with the people.
The public has right 20 complete information
about every business based on the use OF public
property.
This is no time to give away public
assets necessary for the welfare of our
people both in the war and AFTER the
war; and we should no longer tolerate the
selhshness Of private interests which
take the dog-in-the-manger position that
they must have these waterpowers on
their own terms, or no one shall use them
at all.
NOfhinp To Surnrise