The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-09
HARNESS STREAM
Bill Provides for Developing
Power and transportation.
Framed Under Guidance of
President and Cabinet Men.
SETTLES TEN-YEAR FIGHT
Preserves Public Right Under
Leases to Individuals
To Form COmmissiOn-He to
Receive $4,000 a Year.
SETTLES. TEN-YEAR FIGHT
BY L. {. MARTIN.

Washington. Jan. 9.-The admins
tratiOn water power and power de-
veIopment bill is ready for introduc-
ton in congress It is designed to in
crease navigability Of streams. CO.
ordinating water transportation with
rail and produce a tremendous expan-
sion OF the countrys water facilities
by harm essing the country's streams
The measure embodies the ideas of
the president, Secretary of War Baker
Secretary Of Agriculture Houston, Sec
rotary of Interior Lane and other lead
ing cOnservatiOnists in congress.
Not only is it designed to increase
transportation and power facilities.
but it also is expected to settle a ten
year fight over who shall control the
Countrys streams. Conservationists in
congress have been battling desper
ately to keep the water power out of
the hands of the power trust The
proposed bill Representative Ferris,
Oklahoma, said today. would preserve
the public rights for ever, at the same
time giving the public the fullest bene-
fits from their development.
Commission OF Three Secretaries.
The bill creates a commission COM
posed of the secretary of war. secre-
tary of agriculture and secretary Of
the interior. to have charge of de-
VelOping the country's water power.
The president is authorized to ap-
point an executive officer for the
commission, thru whom its policies
shall be carried out. He is to serve
for five years at $4,000 a year.
He is given power to issue licenses
for construction of dams. reservoirs,
power houses. transmission lines or
any other projects which will aid in
power development or improve navi-
cation. Licenses are for fifty years,
Licensees must submit all plans for
improvements to the commission,
which may alter them if it sees fit.
Licensees must pay annual fee or
rental to the government, to be fixed
by the commission, but in the case Of
water development to be not less than
ten cents a year for each horsepower
developed. This charge is not to be
imposed on states or cities wishing to
build municipal power and light
plants.
Can Build Government Plants.
The federal government as TO be
given free power TO operate locks. II
the government wants any power
plant for the manufacture of eXplos-
ives or fixaton OF nitrogen to use in
explosives manufactures, the bill en-
powers the commission to command
eer such plants
Rates to be charged for power are
subject to regulation and reduction
by the commission, to which they
must be submitted
At the end of the rifty-year license
period the government has the privi-
lege Of taking over the dam, reservoir
and power plant by paying actual cost
plus severance DANA ges," if any
Severance damages include loss to the
concern thru the separation of a
power plant for instance from other
units of it's property. Federal courts
are to determine the disputed cases.
But if the government does not wish
to purchase at the end of the license
period, the license may be renewed.
Ore hundred thousand d1ilars is ap-
propriated for expenses of the COM
mission.