Evening star., 1955-05-12


The Second Of Two Articles
Day and Cougar. for example.
will be bobbing up in the news
along with the better-known
Hells Canyon.
They represent a controversial
lineup of hydroelectric dam sites
in the Columbia River Basin,
over which public power forces
and administration supported
advocates of private power de-
velopment are warning.
The Columbia Basin, however,
will not be the only battle
ground.
The fencing-in process to
which the Republicans have
subjected the Tennessee Valley
Authority already has stirred
trouble in the Southeast. And
other sore spots can be expected
to develop wherever President
Eisenhower's opposition to public
power expansion continues to
interfere with the ambitious
plans of its disciples.
Sharp Cleavage
The great debate, however,
will swirl around the Pacific
Northwest. That region contains
40 per cent of the hydro-electric
resources of the country and is
feeling the full impact of the
Eisenhower power policy. The
issue has produced the sharpest
cleavage between Democrats and
Republicans.
The Democrats want water
power development left up to the
Government as it was during the
New Deal-Fair Deal days, be-
cause it means cheap rates 10
consumers The G. o. P. slogan
is "let business do it,"
The big stake is Hells Canyon
on Snake River, principal tribu-
tary of the Columbia. Forming
part of the Idaho Oregon
boundary. this 7,000-foot chasm
Is the deepest gorge on the CONT
nent. 1t is bounded on the West
by the 10.000-foot Wallowa
Mountains, and on the East by
the forbidding Devil peaks
comprising the Seven Devils
Mountains.
The Democrats-with an in
surgent or so from the opposition
had this one staked out as part
Of the Columbia Basin develop
ment. The Republicans. however.
have given big private utility
Idaho Power-an opportunity to
take it over. Some lesser hydro
sites formerly included in the
Columbia Basin also are headed
for private operation if the ad-
ministration vieyv prevails.
Democrats Fight Policy
Democrats are sparing no
efforts to block such an even
tuality. EEE[
Hells Canyon has been a fight
ing phrase in the Northwest for
years as public and private power
interests sought a foothold there.
Both the Bureau of Reclamation
and the Corps of Engineers rec
commended in 1947 that this
valuable site be meshed into the
Columbia Basin power system.
But Congress never got around
to recommending that, and Idaho
Power tried to cut in.
The Truman administration
fought the private concern, and
In his last budget message
which the Republicans junked-
President Truman asked for
funds to start the project, pro-
vided enabling legislation were
obtained.
Then the Eisenhower admin
istration adopted a hands-oft
policy. 1t left it up to the Fed
eral Power Commission either to
grant the license sought by Idaho
Power, or, as an alternative. rec
ommend Government develop
ment.
The commission now is study
ing a report by an examiner who
conducted a year-long inquiry
and recommended private de-
velopment, but with notifications
in the Idaho Power proposal
Public power advocates insist
that the commission has beer
"packed" and will grant the
license.
Congress Acts
In the meantime, however, 80
Senators and four House men,
bers are backing legislation for
Federal construction without re-
gard to what the Power Commits
sion might decide.
Proponents of the Federal
dam, which would be the key
stone in a half -billion-dollar Co
lumbia Basin development, say
that a single 720-foot concrete
structure is needed to take full
advantage of the Snake Rivers
resources
They contend it would ado
l,124,000 kilowatts of capacity
to the Columbia Basin system
enough for the maximum
needs of community of 2.250,-
900 people. They argue it woulo
shore up downstream flood con-
troll in Idaho and Oregon. i'm.
prove navigation possibilities
create a huge recreational area
and furnish funds for irrigation
projects in Idaho that would moi
pay out without subsidization.
AS a clincher. public power
advocates hold out the lure oi
loW-cost power in a growing
country,