The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-05-05
BY WILLIAM KENT
Former U. S. Congressman From
California.

r. NORMOUS fortunes have been
II r made out of speculation and
IL looting the public domain, in
coal, in lumber. in oil and grazing
areas, and waste beyond measure has
been perpetrated along these lines.
We face a somewhat different situa-
ton as concerns the nations water
power. Here is an asset that is per
petual and perennial-the energy OF
millions of horses that need not be
fed-of millions Of men that are re.
leased for better service than the
mere wearing out of muscle. And at
the same time here are opportunities
of eXtortion beyond any that have
gone before.
Up TO few years ago there was no
general procedure controlling the
permanent tenure of power sites out
side of the forest reserve.
Wilson United Control
There were three distinct sources Of
water supply on the public domain:
% Under the INTERIOR Department,
~ in the forest reserves, under the
secretary Of agriculture; (S) navigable
rivers. under tie secretary of war
There never was a time when the
three different Jurisdictions We're will
ing to agree on practically similar
conditions. Finally. under the Wilson
administration, it was suggested that
in place Of three bills there should be
one properly collaunE these sources
Of oF
control. A bin was finally passed that
seemed to meet the situation, as far
as the Federal Government could
meet It.
This legislation has succeeded in
encouraging great development by
private corporations. 1t has also
opened the way for the taking over,
with preference. by public corpora.
tons 1t is up to the States and the
municipalities to protect themselves
by fling and development.
Along Comes Ford
About the time this was working
satisfactorily, there came upon the
scene the Muscle Shoals scheme. and
Henry Ford. Ford entered the field
with a proposition that ne be given
practically all the work costing
millions that the Government had put
in under so-called repayment terms
that were less than interest. He also
proposed that the time limit--so care
fully set by ConGress-should be ex-
banded in his own holy cause to 100
years.
The next great project concerns
the Colorado River. involved the vel
fare OF a number Of States. 1t is vital
that II should be undertaken and held
by the Federal Government with
proper regulation of distribution and
water power through public State
agencies eXacting sufficient return
from the use OF power and water to
pay all advances made. and he "A
solvent MS well as beneficial public
concern.
Public Welfare at Stake
Here is a perfectly simple well
demonstrated situation, where the
public. by pooling it's assets, utilizing
known factors, can, through it's Gov
eminent machinery. greatly benefit
itself and be sure that the work done
by falling water will perform its maxi
mum service. There is also a chance
for the establishment of the proper
relationship between the domestic use
and irrigation use Of water and the
development OF power; whereas under
grants to private individuals Of power
purposes, the water is simply regard
ed as a by-product to be wasted when
ever the maximum production OF
power is called for, regardless of the
season or of subsequent use. Those
who are opposing the public welfare.
driven by the instinct and the motive
Of private grabbing, cannot answer
the countless demonstrations Of eff
cheney and benefit under public as
sumption OF water. except that even
the worst of them are now driven to
agree that domestic use is inherently
a public function.