The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1918-02-08
WATER
POWER

Editor Miner: The twelve-year
fight to keep the Nations water
power from capture by the power
monopolists is at last on the verge
of being won. The administration
Water Power Bill, now before Con-
gross, opens the way to save for the
people of the United States their
most valuable natural asset. Some
fifty million water horsepower is at
stake.
The bill in question was formulated
under the direction of the Secretary
of Agriculture, the Secretary of War,
and the Secretary of The Interior, was
submitted to the President for mis-
approval, and recently put forward It's
an Administration measure. 1t deals
with water power in National For
ests, public lands, Indian lands, and
navigable streams. A special Com
mittee of the House has been
created to consider it.
1t is an admirable measure, drawn
with thorough knowledge and I'M
usual skill. The principles essential
for the wise use and Development Of
our public water powers in the pub
lie interest are all embodied in it.
In my letter to you of November
16, 1917, l urged your support of the
following seven definite principles in
water power legislation:
% The thing to do with water
power is to develop it. Whatever re
tards or restricts the development Of
public water powers on terms fair TO
the public is against public policy
and hostile to the general welfare.
(2) Water power belongs to the
people. The sites where it is pro
duced should always be held in pub
lie hands, for only so can effective
control in the general interest be
secured.
go Where public development is
not desired, the right to use water
power sites should be leased fol-
periods long enough to permit sound
attractive, and profitable investment.
but never longer than fifty years. Al
the end of each lease all rights
should return to the people who gave
them.
(4 In order to protect the con
sumner against extortion, rates and
service should be regulated by Fed
eral authority when State or local
authorities fail to do so.
go Reasonably prompt and com
plete development and continuous
operation, subject to market condi
tions, should be required. Already
millions of water horsepower are
held out of use to further monopoly
by private corporations.
Co Corporations or individuals who
make money out of rights granted by
the people should share their profits
with the people.
CD The public has right to com
plete information about every bust
ness based on the use of public prop
erty.
1t is real pleasure to tell you that
every one of these principles is fully
safeguarded in the Administration s
Water Power Bill What remains
therefore, is for Congress to put this
measure through without delay.
The Administration Water Power
Bill will first come before the House
CT Representatives, where an effort
will certainly be made to amend it
in the interest of the power interests.
If that fails, the water power lobby
lists will endeavor to have the indie
feasible provisions of the Shields bill
substituted in the Senate for the Adj
ministration bill. Beaten in that
they will fall back upon the formula
Of obstruction and delay they have
used so successfully for the last ten
years.
This measure is practical, fair and
wise. The friends of Conservation
should insist that their friends III
Congress shall give their prompt and
full support to the Administration
Water Power Bill, and shall see to
1t, that it is passed without emascula
ton, substitution, or postponement.
1t is of vital interest to our country
while the war is on, and will be
equally important after the war is
over.
The passage of this law will secure
to the American people forever vast
resources whose use for the good of
all will make this land a safer and a
better place to live in. All the forces
of Conservation are behind it. I urge
you to give the Administration Water
Power Bill your strongest approval
and support.
Sincerely yours,
CLIFFORD PINCHOT.