The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-06-04
CONGRESS WILL
DEVELOP WATER
Pow { R IN j. s.
Legislation To Bring About
More General Use OF Un-
limited Power To Be En-
acted.


WASHINGTON, June IA compre.
hensive program for the development
of water power at this session of Con-
gress, after many years of desultory
attempts, is practically assured by
Congressional leaders of both parties.
Legislative machinery by which the
power of American streams can be
harhessed for the manufacture of cleo
trical current diverted to reclaim
semi-arid lands by irrigation and to in
crease the number of navigable
streams, Is contained i'm bill now
under consideration, which probably
will be before the House for final ac-
tion within fortnight.
The program calls for the develop
ment of water power through private
investment. The government, under
the bill which has the approval of the
Secretaries Baker, Houston and Lane,
representing the governments proprie-
tary interest in navigable streams,
public lands and forests, would issue
licenses to private corporations for
the construction of dams, power hous-
es, conduits and other accessories.
50-YEAR LICENSES
A point of issue in Congress prob
ably will be the feature of providing
: for recapture by the government of
power projects at the expiration of the
license. A period of fifty years for
licenses to operate their projects, at
the end of which time the government
should have authority to take over
the properties. is the plan favored by
some members.
Secretary Baker has tentatively ap-
proved the program as regards the re-
capture feature, and has told the
House Waterways Committee he fav-
ors the fifty-year period. There is ex-
pected to be opposition to any govern
ment ownership and it is believed an
attempt will be made to strike our al.
together the recapture feature.
Another objection probably will
come to comforting vast authority on
the Secretaries of War; Interior and
Agriculture, who under the bill are
made the sole members of the Feder-
al Power Commission. No other per.
sons would be eligible to membership
under the bill as it now Is drawn, and
1t is indicated that members of Con
gress will attempt TO curtail the au-
thority proposed for the three secre.
taries and create a larger commission
to be composed of half dozen or more
civilians, with the heads of the three
governmental departments retaining
an official status.
AGAINST INCREASE
Secretary Houston recently told the
House committee he would not favor
an increase in the personnel of the
commission, believing the govern.
ment's interest in the waterways could
best be covered by its being repre.
sented directly by the heads of the
three departments.
The right of municipalities or states
to develop water power is retained in
the bill. The bin contains only an
authorization for the government to
take over the proposed power projects
at the expiration of the license of pri
vate owners, and notice of at least
two years would be required. The
government, before taking over the
projects, would be required to pay the
owners an amount equal 70 the net in
vestment in the project, plus reason
able damages, the amount to be deter
mined by agreement between the com
mission and the owners. If not taken
by the government the commission is
authorized to renew expiring permits
TO SAVE FUEL
Advantages that would accrue tC
the public by reason of water power
development, through saving fuel, g
cheaper rate for electrical current an6
additional development of lands for ir
rigation, We're told to the Waterways
committee recently by Sir Adam Beck
chairman of the Canadian water power
commission. Extensive development
or water power through the proper
harnessing OF streams, has been effect
ed in Canada, the committee was told
Canadian municipalities have takel
over power projects from private in
terests in several instances and the,
are operating them.
Electrical current has been supple,
from the Canadian side of Niagar,
falls, and power has been supplied a
aless rate than under the former sys
tenn OF its manufacture, the committe,
was told.
The amount to be paid for permit
for development of projects is left 4,
the bill to the discretion of the com