The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-01
ADMINISTRATION WATER
POWER BILL.

Will Secure To American People
Forever Vast Should
Be Passed without
Amendment.
January FL. 1918.
Ewing Brothers, Editors.
Midland Journal.
Rising Sun, Md.
Gentlemen:
The twelve-year fight to keep the
Nations water power from capture
by the power monpolists is at last
on the verge Of being won. The
Administration Water Power Bill,
now before Congress, 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 formula
ted under the direction of the Secre-
tary Of Agriculture, the Secretary of
War, and the Secretary of the In
terror, was submitted to the Presi-
dent for his approval, and recently
put forward as an Administration
measure. 1t deals with water power
in National Forests, public lands,
Indian lands, and navigable streams
A special Committee of the House
has been created to consider it.
It is an admirable measure, drawn
with thorough knowledge and I'M
usual skill. The principles essentia!
for the wise use and development OF
our public water powers in the pub
lie interests are embodied in it.
In my letter to you Of November
16, 1917, urged your support of
the following seven definite prin-
ciples in water power legislation:
Cd the thing to do with water
power is to develop it. Whatever
retards or restricts the development
of public water powers on terms fair
1 to the public is against public policy
and hostile to the general welfare.
i (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.
CD Where public development
is.not desired, the right to use water
power sites should be leased for
periods long enough to permit
sound, attractive, and profitable in
vestment. but never longer than fifty
years. At the end of each lease all
4 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-
lions, should be required. Already
millions of water horsepower are
held out OF use to further monopoly
by private corporations.
/ (6) Corporations or individuals
who make money out of rights grant
ed by the people should share their
profits with the people.
1 CD The public has right to
complete information about every
business based on the use OF public
property.
1t is real pleasure to tell you
that every one of these principles is
fully safeguarded in the Administra-
lions Water Power Bill What re-
mains, therefore, is for Congress to
put this measure through without
delay.
4 The Administration Water Power
Bill will first come before the House
of Representatives, where an effort
will certainly DE 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
fensibie provisions OF the Shields
bill substituted in the Senate for the
Administration bill. Beaten in that,
they will fall back upon the formula
of obstruction and delay they have
fused SO successfully for the last ten
years.
This measure is practical. fair
and wise. The friends Of Conser-
walton should insist that their
j friends in Congress shall give theif
prompt and full support to the Ad-
ministration Water Power Bill, and
shall see to it that it is passed with
out emasculation, substitution. OF
postponement. 1t is of vital interest
to our country while the War is on,
and will be equally important after
the War is over.
i The passage of this law will Sc
cure to the American people forever