CONSERVATION COMMISSION. 27 



vie Id a public revenue, stimulate the development of industries 

 and afford greater opportunities for the wage-earner. If Iliis ran- 

 not be accomplished, otherwise than by direct action of the Si air. 

 then the State itself should develop and furnish power for the gen- 

 eral benefit. In the initiation of a plan of conservation, the future 

 should be amply provided for, and every precaution essential to 

 ]> resent and future interests of the people of the 'State should be 

 taken. Legitimate investments of private capital should be prop- 

 erly protected. 



From time to time laws have been enacted permitting leases of 

 ihe surplus waters of the canal system, but by reason of limitations 

 surrounding the same, the revenue derived therefrom was nominal 

 and the opportunity for power development was slight. Sub- 

 stantially all these leases have been terminated, and the few re- 

 maining in force should be terminated as early as practicable. 



When the barge canal is completed, the quantity of surplus canal 

 water will be materially increased. It is conservatively estimated 

 that it will then be sufficient to develop at least 50,000 horse power 

 without injury to navigation. 



The surplus water of the canals is unquestionably owned .by the 

 Slate. The State should not permit so valuable a resource to be 

 wasted, or utilized without adequate return. 



The development and distribution of the surplus water of the 

 canals, for power purposes, can be secured at comparatively small 

 expense. Measures providing for such development, and distribu- 

 tion for public purposes along the line of the canals where many 

 municipalities and citizens can derive material benefit therefrom, 

 should be enacted. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



GEORGE E. VAN KEN N EX, 

 JAMES W. FLEMING, 

 JOHN D. MOORE, 



Conservation Commissioners. 



