The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-03
NEEDED-A POWER POLICY

Congressman William B. Oliver
makes strong point when he urges
Governor Brandon to oppose further
leasing of water power sites in the
state of Alabama until the federal
government has determined national
water-power policy and until the state
of Alabama shall have passed some
legislation safeguarding the state
against the forfeiture Of this great
natural asset. Mr.. Oliver specifically
declares that the state ought to defer
granting permission to the Alabama
Power company to develop the power
at Lock IT on the Warrior. Sentiment
is already strong throughout the state
against further encouragement of a
water power monopoly, and no press
ing reason has yet been given why the
power company should be given i'm
mediate permission to make the devel-
opments asked for.
The state Of New York takes the
view that power Is state resource and
that the people Of that state have the
first claim upon the power generated
in that state. Mr.. Oliver suggests that
the state Of Alabama enact legisla-
ton providing that only surplus power
shall be- exported to other states, SO
that the expanding industry Of Ala
bama will always be protected against
any monopolistic policy Of selling
abroad power needed at home. Ala
bama has two sources Of power, coal
and water. Coal is admittedly less
economical source, and therefore Ala
bama would be foolish to permit the
expectation of the more efficient
power and be forced to use the less
efficient. Undoubtedly Alabama will
always have power to sell, but Ala
bama industries should always be pre-
ferred patrons of the power COM
panies, and this preferment should be
guaranteed by statute.
The Importance of the adoption Of
water-power policy Is thus stressed
by Mr.. Oliver: eff the people of Ala
bama are ever to enjoy the undevel-
oped wealth Of the rivers of the state
there must be a comprehensive and
co-ordinated policy adopted both by
the state and by the federal govern
ment. Any comprehensive and CO.
ordinated water power policy for the
future in Alabama, state and federal,
must embrace the following: (1) I'm
provement of the waterways Of the
state for navigation. (2) Hydroelectric
power development with inter-con-
nected service to cities, factories,
rural communities, farms and to rail
ways for their identification. (3)
Storage reservoirs in headwaters of
streams regulating flow, with increase
of power and protection from floods"
From this it is easily perceived that
the potential advantages Of Alabama's
streams have yet scarcely begun to be
realized or even comprehended by the
people.
Among other constructive measures
advocated by Mr.. Oliver is compre-
hensive survey Of the watersheds of
the state, the basins, the tributaries
and the whole areas either drained or
periodically flooded, in order that
there may be the most complete engi-
neering data for private, public or Of
ficial information at all times. Trans
portation on the Coosa, for example,
might now be an accomplished fact
had congress been in possession of
complete information concerning the
magnificent stream and its triple po-
tentialities for the public benefit. An
intelligent study Of the entire subject
finds SO many unknown quantities that
thoughtful persons will quickly per-
ceive the soundness of the warning
against further piecemeal and haphaz-
ard treatment of the states waterway
resources, and will support the view
that a comprehensive, definite policy
worked out in the light Of the public
welfare is the proper course for this
state to follow in respect to this most
important public asset.
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