The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-09-06
BIG WATER POWER
BILL PASSES HOUSE
Likely to Be Vetoed by Presi-
dent on Account Of It's
"Recapture" Clause.
HOT FIGHT AT FINISH
Administration Leaders Urge
irurousiv the P oint nj
View Expressed by
Chief Executive.

Washington. Sept 1.-THE first de-
feat given ta-an- administration
measure in the house since the war
began was recorded against the water
power bill today The bill was passed
ISL to %. but in form entirely op-
posed to President Wilson's wishes
Unless the bin is altered in conference
1t is likely to be vetoed.
Aaninistra tior@leaders in the house.
led by Represe NATIVE Scott Ferris, or
Oklahamo. and Frank Doramus, OF
Michigan. made a vigorous hEht 20
have eliminated from the bill the
'-recap,ure clause" To which the pres
ident expressed opposition BY ma
toritv of five votes, however, the house
refused II, comply with the presidents
request and voted iS3 to IFS. against
sending the bin back to the COMMITTEES
TO he amended.
On the final roll cali on passage Of
the bin Mr. Ferris and Mr. Doretnus
and twelve other democrats voted
with seven republicans and two indie
y-ndents against the bin. Those who
opposed il were:
Democrats--Decker Of Missouri,
Dorernus. OF Michigan, Ferris. of Ok
,ahoma Hamlin OF Missouri; Hum
phries. Of Mississippi: McKeown. of
ckt3 norma ~fs3FNs Oh It IVA iHfas AN'"~s'A't
of Tennessee Thompson. OF Okla.
homa: Webb. OF North Carolina:
Ayres, of Kansas. Looher OF Missouri:
Wlngo. of Arkansas; Thomas, of Ken
lucky
hlcans--Cooper, of Wisconsin;
French. OF Idaho. James. of Michigan ::
Norton. If North Dakota: Walsh. OF
Massachusetts,. Haugen, OF Iowa, Mich
olss. of Michigan
Inaependents--B aer. of North Ia
kota: London. OF New York.
The ''recapture clause which Is
oh iectiona bic to the president requires
that II the government should. nj the
end OF the fifth year lease. desire 10
take over any of the power projects
developed by private interests. II must
pay the full cost OF the original pro-
tect together with the cost of i'm
jrovements and extensions. The pres
idents position was that this provi-
sion should be taken out OF the bill,
so that the hands of the government
might not he tied in the event that n
general policy of government owner
shin of the power plants should he de-
Itcrmined upon
The provision was put into the bill
after the measure had been approved
by Secretaries Lane. Baker and Ho1s-
ton.
Ferris charged that the alteration
of the bill was inspired by the repre-
sentatives of the power interests who
are seeking to obtain control OF the
power sites in perpetuity.
| The controversy over the amend
ment developed into a partisan fight,
the republicans lining up against the
president and voting TO put the amend
meut in the hill over the admin istra =
ton protest A few democrats, enough
to give slender majority. voted with
them.
An amendment to exclude Niagara
falls and Niagara river from TIP con-
| troll of the power commission created
| by the bill was defeated after a long
debate. the vote being SIS to 65. Rep
lresentative Harrison. member OF the
committee on foreign affairs. offered
the amendment. explaining that the
committee is drafting legislation to
conform to the treaty obligations be-
tween this country and Canada which
will cover the Niagara power situation
| Several other members of the commit
tee supported the amendment.
| Representative Dempsey. of New
York. put IN a strong fight against
the amendment. He produced let
/ ter from Secretary Baker. asserting
that 1t is most necessary to have the
power from Niagara brought under
federal control. The letter stated that
170,000 additional horse power car
be developed from the Niagara river
Iunder proper regulation. The power
generated now amounts to 100000
horse power. Mr.. Dempsey asserted
/ lcnntinued an Pare TwaN