70 COMMISSION ON COUNTRY LIFE 



there has been a very significant concentration of 

 water powers; that this concentration has now 

 placed about 33 per cent of the total developed 

 water powers of the country under the control of 

 a group of thirteen companies or interests; that 

 there are very strong economic and technical 

 reasons forcing such concentration. The rapid 

 concentration already accomplished, together 

 with the obvious technical reasons for further 

 control and the financial advantages to be gained 

 by a substantial monopoly, justifies the fear that 

 the concentration already accomplished is but 

 the forerunner of a far greater degree of mono- 

 poly of water power. Unless the people become 

 aroused to the danger to their interests, there 

 will probably be developed a monopoly greater 

 than any the world has yet seen. 



The development of power plants and of in- 

 dustries using this power ought to be encouraged 

 by every legitimate and proper means. It should 

 not be necessary, however, to grant perpetual 

 rights in order to encourage this development. 

 There should be no perpetual grant of water 

 power privileges. On the contrary, the owner- 

 ship of the people should be perpetually main- 



