The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-03-07
WATER POWER PERMITS
T HERE ARE economists who believe that u

HERE ARE economists who believe that the commodities interchanged in trade will day be measured in terms of energy instead of in terms of money The ment of energy would probably be scientific but it is long off, The utilization ofwaer power is not long way off Pressing for consideration in congress at tempting to define the terms upon which private capital will be admitted to the utilization of water power energy.
 special committee of the Chamber of Commerce of the U A. has recommended referendum and the Bridgeport chamber will shortly vote The ballot presents questions each accompanied by recommendation of the committee committee recommends legislation encouraging the develop ment of water power that authority for issuance of permits be
 commsson that the franchise period be not shorter than years that permtees may public lands forming only incidental part of the development; that recapure be exercised only upon payment of fair and just compensaon that failing recapure the investment shall be adequately pro- teced that regulation be far possible by state authority securities should be exercised solely by the sae that preference should be granted amounting to subsidy, between applicant and another
 How should the Chamber of Commerce vote upon these questions assuming desires to consult the best interests of its members?
 The most convenient power in this neghborhood comprised the developments possible to the Houatonc and the Naugatuck rivers.
 What is the probable business relationship of the the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce to these rivers water power?
 There are three chief relationships Every member interest of the pubc he has interest possible in water power development and possible interest a power Chiefly the Chamber contains who the public interest and the interest in view.
 They should vote then for such bill will procure the development of water power with the fullest possible protec ton to the public and the They going to buy power. They wish to buy it in the cheapest market with only such payments necessary to produce the service
 The recommendations of the committee partly just and partly have the appearance of being made by who viewing the project mainly from the standpoint those who will be investors in it.
 There must be legislation, permits may we'll enough be granted by body devong it's entire energies to the matter the matter of tolls is debaab and there should be prefer upon the part of the giving applicant unfair advantage another Questions two four five and ten may properly be answered in the affirmative vot whose interest is that of the public of the
 fifty year franchise is not too long, provided there opportunity for recapure at me stated periods five years grant made by the Federal should be supervised by the government This elementary state craft The proposal for state supervision purely proposal of person who places himself in the attitude of investor.
 the grant from the nation jurisdiction cres should be held by the nation Investment should be protected in definite terms that recapre the government will reimburse the just and reasonable cost of the project
 Those who take the investors view w therefore, vote for three six seven eight and nine but those who stand public, or consumers will vote against
 with mufarous institutions for the regulation of mat that substantially unity How loudly have the railroads acclaimed regulation by 4S seperae and independent sions plus regulation by the Federal government