The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1920-05-20
NEW WATER POWER BILL
OPPOSITION BY BORAH
ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO PIN
cHoTIzE NATURAL RESOURCES
OF THE WEST

According to a Washington cores
pendent, fight is being organized in
the senate to defeat the conference
report on the water power bill when
it comes up next week for final con-
sideration.
Senator Borah of Idaho and Sen
ator King of Utah will lead the fight,
and already they have promises Of
support from most New England SEN
.ators. The opposition centers around
the definition of "navigable waters"
as contained in the bill reported by
the conference committee.
Dsreeards States Rights
The senators named have been
studying the bill and have come to
the conclusion that as it stands fed
eral bureaus at Washington will be
empowered to exercise full and I'M
restrained control not only over water
power development on navigable
streams, in the ordinary meaning of
that term, but the development also
on non -navigable tributaries and up
per reaches of navigable rivers, in
utter disregard of the constitutional
rights OF states. As one senator eS-
pressed it, "the water power bill as
it now stands is Pinchotism raised to
nth degree"
Practically all western congressman
voted in the house Tuesday for adop-
ton of the conference report. includ-
ing Republican Leader Mondel of
Wyoming. one of the bitterest Oppon-
ents of Pinchot policies
Westerners Regard It as Vicious.
Western senators, on the other
hand are inclined to regard the bin
as vicious as tending to take from
the western states their rights over
their waters conferred upon them by
the constitution. Furthermore. it is
contended that under the present bill
the water power trust with its ad-
vance knowledge of available water
power sites may. under the confer
ence report. make filings and tie up
for % years practically all desirable
power sites in the west. and accomp-
rsh this by mere pretense at good
faith in the matter of development.
The revolt against the water power
hin was nstigated by the Maine dele
cation. Maine power interests having
awakened at the eleventh hour to a
realization that the bill as it now
stands encroaches upon the water and
the Jurisdiction of the state Of Maine.
The only violent opposition TO the
conference report i'm the house Tues
day came from Representative White
OF Maine. but Wednesday Maine SEN
ators from New England and from
the west and there is at least assur-
ance of stiff fight when the senate
ia asked next Tuesday to agree to the
conference report.
Defining Navigable Streams.
II the water power bill can be sent
back to conference the original house
definition of navigable waters viii
be demanded this definition being in
accord with decisions of courts. The
conference committees definition
gives to federal bureaus control not
only Of actually navigable streams
bat those parts of streams which.
either i'm this natural or improved con-
dition. Notwithstanding Interruptions
letween navigable parts of such
streams or waters by falls, shadows
or rapids compelling land carriage. |
are used or are suitable for use for
transportation of persons or property. /
including therein all such interrupting
falls. shadows or rapids together with !
such other parts of streams as shall |
have been authorized by congress for |
by the United States or
shall have been recommended by |
for such Improvement after !
under its authority"