54 Conservation of Natural Resources in California. 



CONCENTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF WATER 



POWER. 



The central fact in the water power situation of to-day is concentra- 

 tion of control. Ten groups of power interests control 65 per cent of all 

 the developed water power in the United States. Some of these groups 

 are still further related through interlocking directors between the 

 groups themselves. 



But the rapid growth of concentration and control is even more 

 striking than the amount of it. Two years ago the ten greatest groups 

 of water power interests controlled in round numbers 3,270,000 horse- 

 power developed and undeveloped. To-day the ten greatest groups 

 control 6,270,000 horsepower. Thus the amount of concentration has 

 nearly doubled in two years. 



In view of these facts, on November 20, 1913, the following amend- 

 ment of the resolutions of the National Conservation Congress was 

 passed by an overwhelming vote: 



WHEREAS, Concentrated monopolistic control of water power 

 in private hands is swiftly increasing in the United States, and 

 far more rapidly than public control thereof; and 



WHEREAS, This concentrating, if it is fostered, as in the past, 

 by outright grants of public power in perpetuity, will inevitably 

 result in a highly monopolistic control of mechanical power, one 

 of the bases of modern civilization, and a prime factor in the cost 

 of living; therefore, 



Be it resolved, That we recognize the firm and effective control 

 of water power corporations as a pressing and immediate neces- 

 sity urgently required in the public interest; 



That we recognize that there is no restraint so complete, effective, 

 and permanent as that which comes from firmly retained owner- 

 ship of the power site ; 



That it is, therefore, the solemn judgment of the Fifth National 

 Conservation Congress that hereafter no water power now owned 

 or controlled by the public should be sold, granted, or given away 

 in perpetuity, or in any manner removed from the public owner- 

 ship, which alone can give sound basis of assured and permanent 

 control in the interests of the people. 



