New-York tribune., 1922-01-05
Should Grant Water Power Licenses for
General Distribution, Not Priuate Use

| Of power users. 1t is estimated that
DO 900 horsepower can be developed fror
the surplus waters of the canal. II
would be better, in my judgment, to al
low it to run to waste, than to incur
the risk at this time Of creating an,
influence that might initiate against
the maximum use of the canal for pur.
poses Of navigation.
If the state can lease surplus water
to advantage, | can perceive no reason
why it cannot sell at the bus-bar any
power that it may develop BY that
means alone can the available power be
developed without mourning great risk
of subjecting the use of canal waters
to influences that might prove detri-
mental to navigation
Tho canal is a public enterprise
j. constructed and maintained by the
state. I am unable TO perceive why
the state should not complete lis
undertaking and develop the by-prod-
uct of its navigation project.
The complete punlic development of
the states property. already partly
developed should arouse no misgivings
in any quarter, if that be the logical
course to pursue.
am advised that at Visscher's Ferry
and Crescent Dam 10000 continuous
horsepower may be developed, with g
maximum of 10000 horsepower, by the
installation Of suitable power plants
do not think that power should be
allowed to go to waste any longe.
This is the obvious place to begin the
development Of the surplus waters of
the canal Private development in
wolves the risk that the needs of navi-
cation may be subordinated to selfish
interest.
The other alternative Is for the
state to complete what it has begun.
| therefore recommend the passage
of an act authorizing the Superin-
tendent Of Public Works to develop
the use for power purposes OF the
surplus waters Of the canal where
practicable, such power to be sold at
public letting. and l recommend all
appropriation of 81 100000 to start at
once the development at Crescent Dam
and Visscher's Ferry.
With the task of reducing the ex~
penditures of the state government to
pected to keep pace with it's expendi-
lures nearing completion, we should
row seriously address ourselves to the
problem of removing the inequalities
and injustices of our tax laws by g
careful revision of them. This is a
task which must be approached with
caution and worked out by degrees, Sc
rs to produce no serious arrangement
of the states revenues. A committee
of the Legislature and the Tax Com
mission have been carefully consider
ing this subject during the last year
The committee is about to report to the
Legislature. That report shows that
the subject has been comprehensively
irtelligently and carefully studied It
may not be practicable at this session
to act upon all of the recommendations
Of the committee, and indeed, in deal
ing with 3 subject of such Importance
il will be wise to give ample time for
the most thorough consideration. We
are not confronted with the necessity
Of seeking new revenues. The CON
struction Of just and equitable tax
system is our problem. The report
paves the way for such a piece OF con
structive work, which l trust will be
accomplished as soon as the subject
has received the consideration which
! its Importance and intricacy demand.