The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-17
WEDNESDAY MORNING, JANUARY II, 1917.
THOSE WATER POWER RESOLUTIONS.


The Montana legislature, yesterday passed joint
rial congress praying for the of legislation
that will permit the development of water powers within
the state.
So far the general proposition goes no will be in
disagreement As to the specific form of the bill pend
ing in congress regarding the development Of powers
there is sharp and rreconclable difference of opinion
The Shields bill proposes grant the of the nations
water power in practical perpetuy the corporate inter
ests that are awaiting the final passage of the pending
measure.
The opponents of the Shields BILL sometimes referred to
by the water power companies the Pnchot crowd
perfectly willing for the enactment of federal law that
will permit the immediate development of any and every
water power on the continent but they insist that there
shall not be grant in perpetuy this the valuable
asset of the people of this country.
The "Pnchot crowd believes that 5O-year period is
sufficient length of time to grant to any water power
company the use OF given water and that at the
expiration of that period there should be termination of
the grant franchise so that the people themselves may
retain the ownership of the greatest factor in civil
lzation.
The water power interests through the provisions of the
pending Shields BILL seek for perpetual franchise of
the water power of the country When the ownership
passes from the people WHOLE the future control of
the country will pass with it,
For congress to now grant to group of capitalists the
against the common people of this country.
The control of the power is almost equal in its u
mate effect upon the lives of the Of the people of the
west would be grant in perpetuy of the land upon
which we live.
OF course the face of it, the water power memorial
passed by the Montana legislature Yesterday is homeo
pathic proposition in its specific language, but at Wash
ington it will be construed appeal to congress for the
passage of the Ubiquitous Shields BILL which has already
passed the and conference between the two
houses.
We have msudged Woodrow Wilson, entirely if the
Shields bill should unfortunately be concurred in by the
house. if he does not with accompanying message
that will arouse the nation to the danger involved in future
monopoistic control that will make Standard Oil look like
benevolent institution in comparison.
s. -
When we come to think it over who is there Montana
that has suffered by any delay in water power develop
ment?
Have the people of this state been embarrassed in any
way by the failure to develop power fast there
has been market for its use?
Have the individual legislators who voted for the pas
sage of yesterdays resolution amarzed themselves with
the specific provisions of the pending Shields bill?
what interest in Montana except the Montana Power
company, is asking for its passage?
What interest except that of the Montana Power CON-
sw y handicapped 0"'e' the present provisions OF the
Should the Shields bill become law is there any CON-
petng interest that would build single dam in Montana
in competition with the network that the Montana Power
company has already spread all over the state?
When the Montana Power company was organized four
years ago. to take over all Montana water powers except
the Clark dam at Mssoula and the small power dam at Big
Fork the consolidation effected with expenditure
of about $l2OOOOOO
Stocks and bonds to the extent of 900 is
sued upon the $2OOOOOO investment. Probably IS OOO
600 from the proceeds of the sale of the bonds have since
that time been expended in the development of additional
power at Thompson Falls and Great Falls making
total investment of about $l7,OOOOOO.
Yesterday the stock of the Montana Power company
the New York market quoted at $0l50 per share
The people OF Montana are paying the tolls upon this $780,