The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-10-15

searchingly examined at a public
hearing. The board m emb erS
would serve for nine years. one
members term expiring every
three years, thus assuring CONT
nuity Of policies that Iii our north
west needs.
WASHINGTON TOO FAR AWAY
The Ickes bill in impractical In
that IL proposes to operate a vast
business enterprise from 5000
miles away. II can't be done eff
GENTLY. DIR. Paul J. Raver, now
administrator. could do a better
job IL he were left free TO work
out his problems without being
officials who know little about the
checked by interior department
technical problems on which they
pass judgment.
MIR. Iclses has declared that
his bill provides for quick-on-
the trigger administration,
while the Bone Smith bill pro-
vides for a debating society TO
run the authority. The fact In
the 1ckes bill provides for four
administrators. one above the
other. permitting endless APP
peals on up the line.
The administrator at Portland
would be subject to the rulings of
an assistant TO the secretary of
interior, who would In turn be re-
sponsible TO the secretary: who in
turn would take orders from the
president. In contrast, the
Bone-smith bill provides for a
single. responsible board. decisions
of which would be final.
Under the Ickes plan, anyone
dissa tisfied with the sdministra-
tors ruling on such a matter as
a contract could. IL he had po-
litical pull. bring pressure to bear
at Washington, ID. C.. to win his
point. Disturbing reports have
been received that such things
already have been done.
HOW ABOUT HOME RULE.
The cities of Washington, such
as Tacoma and Seattle and smaller
places. have been successfully run
ming power plants for a long time.
They do not want the authority
to run their affairs for them.
Under the Ickes hill, the
authority could force public
agencies and cooperstives that
buy power from the authority,
To sign contracts that would
result In transferring q con-
siderable measure Of control
Of city and P.U.D. electric
systems to the federal agency.
Under the Bone Smith hill
that would not he possible be-
csuse the hill prohibits such
dictatorial contracts Which
do YOU want-autocratic rule
by MIR. lckes, or home rule by
elected officials Of cities and
PUBS:
The Ickes bill is not satisfac-
tory to labor for two reasons. II
does not provide for collective bar
gaining: and 1t would require labor
to negotiate with federal officers
separated from our state by the
width of the continent. The Bone
Smith bill, on the other hand. is
approved by labor. The provisions
in the Bone Smith bill are based
on the satisfactory experience of
IVA. with collective bargaining,
PROVISION FOR IRRIGATION
II the Bone-Smith bill goes
through as now written, the future
development of the Columbia Basin
Irrigation project is certain. The
bill provides a definite formula for
contribution of a portion Of the
power revenues from Grand Coulee
dam to aid in reclamation of basin
lands. This contribution will bring
reclamation costs down TO a point
where settlers can make farming
pay. Yet the bill prohibits increase
in power rates beyond the present
Bonneville schedules.
The Ickes bill ties In the
Columbia Power authority
with the general accounting
office In the usual way. This
would prevent the authority
from operating with the free
dom and efficiency of . pri-
vate business. The general
accounting office. slow, pom
derous and overloaded with
work. would impose all the
usual restrictions on the su-
thority.
The iva. has been fighting I,
free its hands OF the interminshl'
red tape Of GAO. On the oths
hand, the Bone-smith bill take
advantage of the iva. sxperi
ence and provides the same sor
Of accounting checks as q privat
business has.
While funds of the authority ar
adequately safegusrded, the end
less quarreling with GAO. abou
details is eliminated. =. In othe
words. the Bone-Smith bill is de
signed 10 set up an agency whicl
as far as possible will be as quick
acting as the best sort OF privst,
enterprise.
THE LONG VIEW
The Bone-Smith bill has beel
drafted on the basis Of the lonl
view ahead, IN entire disregard @
personalities Of present or futur
cabinet officers. Remember tina
no matter how well or how httl
you like Mr.. Ickes. no one know
how long ne will be secretary c
interior.