Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-04-29

ment of water power are controlled by the
people of the United States through their
federal government, unlike most of their nat
ural resources, which have now passed into
private ownership.
The government controls many of these
water power sites by reason of the fact that
it is given by the constitution control over
navigible streams. This makes it necessary
to get permission from congress before you
can build dam or power plant on a nav
igable stream. In the west there are many
small mountain streams which are not nav
igible, but which contain tremendous water
power. large proportion of these streams
also are controlled by the government, de-
spite the fact that they are not navigable.
because they are in national forests, national
parks, or Indian reservations. So the people
of the United States still own good deal
of their water power.
Heretofore, water power development on
navigab1e streams in the east has been pos
sible only by getting a special bill through
congress. This is what the Alabama Power
company did, thereby gaining permission to
harness the Coosa river. But generally
speaking this persuading Of congress to pass
special legislation authorizing water power
developments, has proved be slow and
difficult proceeding. 1t has been recognized
for long time that general law was need
ed under which the water power of the coun-
try could be developed.
Such laws have been before congress fol-
years. One came very near passing the last
congress. 1t was passed by the house and
by the senate, agreed upon by the conferees
from house and senate, and the louise accept
ed the conference report Nothing remained
but for the senate to accept the conference
report and the president to sign the bill.
But when congress adjourned the conference
report still pending in the senate. That
means that the whole law perishes with the
congress which made it. 1t will have to be
passed over again by house and senate in the
new congress.
The reason this bill has been so long and
bitterly fought over is that the conservative
and radical elements in congress cannot agree
as to it's provisions. The most conservative
believe that the water power resources OF the
country should be thrown open to private de-
velopment, with some government control,
but not too much. The radicals, on the other
hand, hold that this natural resource should
not be exploited for profit, but should be de-
veloped by municipal, state or federal gov
eminent. The power would then be sold the
profits going into the treasury. This view
is maintained by Senator La Toilette, and his
determined opposition to a compromise plan
is said to be the chief cause of delay in pass
ing water power bill.
The bill which passed both houses is an
elaborate compromise between the two view
points. 1t would have the government retain
the ownership of the power sites, and lease
them to persons or corporations wishing to
develop them, for periods not to exceed fifty
years. Numerous restrictions are thrown
about the holders of these leases. Their
plans must be approved by a federal power
commission, consisting of three cabinet Off
GERS They must use part of their profits to
pay their debts They must keep their plants
in repair. In the matter of rates they charge
for power they must be amendable to the
rulings of a state commission, and where
there is no state commission, of the federal
commission. Finally, at the end Of the fifty
year period, the government may take over
the plant by paying the net value of invest
ment therein. 1855
Down here they seem to consider this bill
satisfactory, and they wish congress would
hurry up and pass it so that they can biuld
more dams and power houses.