The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-01-28
ENDORSES BILL TO
USE WATER POWER
Former President Rooseveit's Close
Personal And Political Friend
Heartily Endorses Administration
Measure.
Mr.. p. Watson Webb,
Cambridge, Maryland.
Nv dean. Mr. Webb

My dear Mr.. Webb:
The twelye-year fight to keep the
Nations water power from capture
by the power monopOlists is at last
on the verge OF being won. The Ad-
ministration 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 formulat-
ed under the direction of the Secre-
tary of Agriculture, the Secretary of
War, and the Secretary of the Inter
ior. was submitted to the President
for his approval, and recently put
forward as an Administration mea-
sure. 1t deals with water power in
National Forests, public lands, In
dian lands, and nayigable streams. y
special Committee of the House has
been created ito consider 1t.
1t is an admirable measure, drawn
with thorough knowledge and un-
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, | urged your support OF
the following seven definite princi-
pies in water power legislation:
l. 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.
,. 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.
8. Where public development is
not desired, the right to use water
power sites should be leased for per-
iods long enough TO permit sound,
attractive, and profitable investment,
but never longer than fifty years. At
the end of each lease all rights
should return to the people who
gave them.
4. In order to protect the con-
sumer against extortion. rates and
service should be regulated by Fed
eral authority when State or local
authorities fail to do so.
5. 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 scorporations.
g. Corporations or individuals
who make anoney out of rights gran
ted by thepeople should share their
profits with the people.
Z. The public has right to COM
plete inf nation about every busi-
ness b ne . Sl1 He e.-f39f:S', 81
erty.
1t is real pleasure to tell you
that eve ,one of these principles is
fully sa<aarded in the Admins
tration'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
of Representatives where an effort
will certainly be made to amend it
in the interest of the power inter-
ests. If that fails, the water power
lobbyists will endeavor to have the
indefensibIe provisions of the
Shields Bill substituted in the Sen
ate for the Administration Bill. Bea-
ten in that, they will fall back upon
the formu Ia OF obstruction and de-
lay 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 in
Congress shall give their prompt and
full support to the Administration
Water Power Bill, and shall see to
it that it is passed without emascu-
lation, substitution, or postpone
ment. 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 Sc
cure to tie American people forever
>ast 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 be
hind it. I urge you to give the Ad-
ministration Water Power Bill your
strongest approval and support.
Sincerely yours.
CLIFFORD PINCHOT.