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About Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 8, 1910)
TJU5 OUSTER 66UJNTY BE BUBUOAU V \ President Creaks Uncord For Length o ! Document , DEFENDS PAYilE TARIFF ACT , Denis With Panama Canal , Postal Sav ings Bank , Parcels Post and Conservation vation Asks For Rniso of Judicial Salaries Recommendation For Fit ting Honor For Peary. Washington , Doc. C. The president soul the following message to congress today : To the Senate and House of Kopre- sentntlves ; ' During the past year the foreign re- lalioiw of the United States have con tinued upon a basis of friendship aud good understanding. The year lias been notable as wit nessing the pacific settlement : of two Important International controversies before the permanent court of The Hague. The arbitration of the llshcrlos dis pute between the United States and Great Britain , which has been the source of nearly continuous diplomatic correspondence since the fisheries con vention of ISIS , lias given an award which Is satisfactory to both parties. ' Peace Commission , Appreciating these enlightened tend encies of modern times , the congress at its last session passed a law provid ing for the appointment of a commis sion of live members "to bo appointed by1 the pnsldent of the United States to consider the expediency of utilising existing International agencies for the purpose of limiting the armaments of the nations of the world by Internation al agreement and of constituting the combined mnies of the world an Inter national foi-o for the preservation of universal pence and to consider and report upon any other means to dimin ish the expenditures of government for military purposes and to lessen the probabilities of war , " The work of the International fish eries commission appointed in 1S10S , under the treaty of April 11 , 100S , be tween Great liritnln and the United States , has resulted In the formula tion and recommendation of uniform regulations governing the fisheries of the boundary waters of Canada and the United States for the purpose of protecting and Increasing the supply of food Dsh In such waters. The Far East. The center of interest In far eastern affairs during the past year has again been China. It is gratifying to note that the ne gotiations for a loan to the Chinese government for the construction of the trunk railway lines from Hankow southward to Canton and westward through the Yangtso valley , known as the Ilukuang loan , were concluded by the representatives of the various financial groups in May last and the results approved by their respective governments. Tariff Negotiations. The new tariff law in section 2 respecting - specting the maximum and minimum tariffs of the United State.s , which pro visions came Into effect on April 1 , 1010 , Imposed upon the president the t responsibility of determining prior to that date whether or not any undue discrimination existed against the i United States and its products in any V ' country of the/world with which wo f ' sustained commercial relations. ' ? The policy of broader and closer / " trade relations with the Dominion of { ' Canada which was Initiated In the ad justment of the maximum and minimum - " . mum provisions of the tariff act of . - August. 1000 , lias proved mutually ben- iv . ellcial. It justifies further efforts for V , the readjustment of the commercial ' i relations of the two countries so that _ their commerce may follow the channels - ' nels natural to contiguous countries and be commensurate with the steady expansion of trade and Industry on both sides of the boundary line. The Department of State , All tariff negotiations , so vital to our commerce and industry , and the duty of jealously guarding the equitable anil just treatment of our products , capital and industry abroad devolve upon the department of state. The efforts of that department to secure - cure for citizens of the United States equal opportunities in the markets of the world and to expand American commerce have been most successful. The volume of business obtained In now Holds of competition and upon now lines Is already very great , and congress is urged to continue to sup port tlio department of state In Its en deavors for further trade expansion. An instrumentality Indispensable to the unhampered and natural develop ment of American commerce Is mer chant marine. All maritime and com mercial nations recognise the impor tance of this factor. The greatest com mercial nations , our competitors , jeal ously foster their merchant marine. I alluded to this most important sub ject In my last annual message. It has often been before yon , and I need not recapitulate the reasons for Its recom mendation. Unless prompt action betaken taken the completion of the Panama canal will find this the only great com mercial nation unable to avail In Inter national maritime business cf this great contribution to the means of the world's commercial intercourse. l''or maliy f colons 1 cnnnotTbosTrong- I/ urge upon the congress the passage of a measure by mall subsidy or other subvention adequate to guarantee the establishment and rapid development of an American merchant marine , the restoration of the American Hag to Us ancient place upon the seas. Estimates For Next Year's Expenses. The final estimate- * for the year endIng - Ing June . .0 , If-1 ) ! , as they have been sent to the treasury on Nov. 20 of tills year for the ordinary expenses of the government , Including those -for pub lic buildings , rivers and harbors and the navy building program , amount to SWO.-ini.OKU'J. Thtii Is $ r > 2lOI.8S7.UJ ) : less than the appropriations for the fiscal year ending June ItO , 1011. It is $10Ssir ; ? > ; 5.-M less than the total esti mates. Including suplementnl esti mates submitted to congress by the treasury for the year 11)11 ) , and is $5.- 57'lr ( ! > 0.jO : le.ss than the orlgliial esti mates submitted by the treasury for , 1011. I These ilgnros do not include the ap propriations for the Panama canal , the policy In respect to which ought to bo -Mid is to spend as much each year as , can be economically and effectively ex-j pended lu order to complete the canal I ' as promptly as possible , and therefore - fore Hie ordinary motive for cutting down the expense of the government does not apply to appropriations for tills purpose. It will be noted that the estimates for the Panama canal for the ensuing year are more than $5(1-1 ( 000.000. an increase of $20,000,000 over thi amount appropriated for this year , a difference duo to the fact Unit the estimates for 1)12 ! ) include some thing over $10,000,000 for the fortifica tion of the canal. Against the estimates of expendi tures. SlMO.-ll ) 1,01:5.12 : , wo have esti mated receipts for next year $ OSO- UOlU.0. ( making a probable surplus of ordinary receipts over ordinary ex penditures of about $50.000,000 , or , taking Into account the estimates for the- Panama canal , which are $30,020- S-17.C ! ) and which will ultimately bo paid in bonds , it will leave a deficit for tlie next year of about 7.000.000 if congress shall conclude to fortify the canal. The cost of the fortifications Is about $ U.lKu ) , < ) dO. Should there be no appropriations this year for fortifi cations then there would bo. even In cluding tlie Panama canal appropria tion , a surplus of about $12,000,000. It Is not essential to the preventing of smuggling that customs districts should be increased In number. The violation of the customs laws can be quite as easily prevented and much more economically by the revenue cut ter service and by tlie use of the spe cial agent traveling force of the treas ury department. _ Very great Improvements have been made In-respect to the mints and as say offices. ' ' Diminished appropriations have been asked for those whose con tinuance Is unnecessary , and this year's estimate of expenses Is $320,000 less than two years ago. In the "bureau of engraving and printing great economies have been effected. Useless divisions have been abolished , with tlie result of saving $ -4-10.000 tills year in the total ex penses of the bureau despite Increased business. | Revenues. ( As the treasury department Is the one through which the income of the , government Is collected and Its expend itures are disbursed this seems a proper place to consider tlie operation of the existing tariff bill , which be came a law Aug. 0 , 1000. As an in come producing measure the existing In riff bill has never been exceeded by any customs bill in the history of the country. The corporation excise lax , proportioned tioned to the net income of in cry busi ness corporation in the country , has worked well. The lax has been easily collected. Its prompt payment indi cates that tlio incidence of the lax has not been heavy. It offers , moreover , an opportunity for knowledge by the government of the general condition and business of all corporations , and that means by far ( lie most important part of tlio l.uslncss of the country. In the original act provision was made for the publication of returns. This provision was subsequently amended by congress and the matter left to the regulation of the president. 1 have di rected tlie Issue of the needed regula tions and have made it possible for the public generally to know from an ex amination of the record the returns of all corporations the stock of which is listed on any public stock exchange oi ls offered for sale to the general pub lic by advertisement or otherwise. The returns of those corporations whoso stock Is not so listed or offered for sale are directed to bo open to the in spection and examination of creditors and stockholders of the corporation whoso record Is sought. The returns of nil corporations are subject to the inspection of any government officer or to the examination of any court , In which tlie return made by the corpora tion Is relevant and competent evi dence. The Payne Tariff Act. Tlie schedules of the rates of duty in the Payne tariff act have been sub jected to n great deal of criticism , some of It just , more of It unfounded , anil to much misrepresentation. The act was adopted in pursuance of a declaration by the party which Is re sponsible for It that a customs bill should bo a tariff for the protection of home industries , tlie measure of the protection to bo the difference between the cost of producing the Imported ar ticle abroad and the co-4 of producing it at home , together with such addi tion to that difference as might gl\i > n reasonably profit to the homo pro dneor. The ba-l-i for the criticism of this tariff Is that In respect to n number of the schedules tlie declared measure WIM not followed , but n higher differ ence retained or Inserted by way of undue dlvrlmlinitlon In favor of cer tain Industries and manufactures. Little. If any. of the criticism of the tariff has been directed against the protective principle above stated , but the main body of the criticism has been bused on the charge that tin * attempt to conform to the measure of protec tion was not honestly and sincerely nrt- hered to. Tariff Board. The time In which the tariff was pre pared undoubtedly was so short as to make it Impossible for the congress and Its experts to acquire the Informa tion necessary strictly to conform to the declared measure. In order to avoid criticism of this kind in the future and for the purpose of more nearly conform ing to the party promise congress at Its last session made provision at my re quest for tlie continuance of a board cre ated under the authority of the maxi mum and minimum clause of the tariff bill and authorized this board to expend the money appropriated under my di rection for the ascertainment of the cost of production at homo and abroad of the various articles Included In the fichedules of the tariff. The tariff board thus appointed and authorized has been diligent In preparing Itself for the necessary Investigations. Tlie hope of those who have advocated the use of this board for tariff purposes Is that the question of the rate of a duty Im posed shall become more of n business question and less of n political ques tion , to be ascertained by experts of long training and accurate knowledge. Thv halt In business and the shock to business due to the announcement that a new tariff bill Is to be prepared and put In operation will bo avoided by treating the schedules one by one as occasion shall arise for a change In the rates of each and only after n report upon the schedule by the tariff board competent to make such report. It Is not HUclv that the board will be able to make a report during the pres ort sf-islon of congress on any of the schedules , because a proper examina tion involves an enormous amount of detail and a great deal of care , but I hope to be able at the opening of the new congress , or nt least during the session of that congress , to bring to Its attention the facts In regard to those schedules In the present tariff that may prove to need amendment. . Tlie carrying out of this plau , of course , involves the full co-opcrntlon of congress in limiting the considera tion in tariff matters to one schedule at a time , because If a proposed amend ment to a tariff bill Is to Involve a complete consideration of all the schedules and another revision then we shall only repeat the evil from which the business of this country has In times past suffered most grievously liy stagnation and uncertainty , prnrt- , Ing a resettlement of n law affecting all business directly or Indirectly , and I the effect of which no wise business man would ignore In new projects and new Investments. I I The inquiries which the members of the tariff board made during the last summer into tlio methods pursued by other governments with reference to the fixing of tariffs and the detcrmlua- tion of their effect upon trade show that each government maintains an of- lice or bureau , the ofllccrs and em ployees of which have made their life work the study of tariff matters , of foreign and homo prices and cost of articles imported and the effect of the tariff upon trade , so that whenever a change is thought to be necessary in the tariff law this oflice Is the source of the most reliable information as to the propriety of the change and its ef fect. I am strongly convinced that we need In this government just such an ollloe and that it can bo secured by making tlio tariff board already ap pointed n permanent tariff commission , with such duties , powers and emolu ments as It may seem wise to congress to give. It has been proposed to enlarge - largo tlio board from three to live. The present number Is convenient , but 1 do not know that an increase of two members would be objectionable. I recommend that congress establish a commission to determine ns early as practicable a comprehensive policy for the organization , mobilization and ad ministration of the regular army , the organized militia and the volunteer forces In the event of war. Need For Additional Officers. One of the great difficulties In tlie prompt organization and mobilization of militia and volunteer forces Is the absence of competent officers of the rank of captain to teach the new army , by tlie unit of the company , the busi ness of being soldiers and of taking care of themselves so as to render ef fective service. This need of army officers can only be supplied by pro visions of law authorizing the appoint- /cut of a greater number of army of ficers than are needed to supply the commands of regular army troops now enlisted In the service. In order that tlie militia of each state should bo properly drilled and made more like the regular army , reg ular army officers should be detailed to assist the adjutant general of each state In the supervision of the state militia , lint this is Impossible unless provision Is made by congress for a very considerable Increase in tlie num ber of company and field officers of the army. Fortifications. I have directed that the estimates for appropriation for the Improvement of coast defenses in the United States should bo reduced to n minimum , while those for tlie completion of the needed fortifications at Corregldor , In the Philippine Islands , and at Pearl Harbor , In the Hawaiian Islands , should 1)6"expedited as mticli as possl- ] ' ble. Philippine Islands. During the last summer at my re quest the secretary of war visited tln > Philippine Islands and has described Ills trip In his report. He found tlie Islands In a state of tranquillity and growing prosperity , due largely to the change In the tariff laws which lias opened the markets of America to the products of the Philippines and Ics opened the Philippine markets To American manufactures. Pannmn Canal. At the Instance of Colonel Gopthals. the army engineer officer In charge of the work on the Panama canal , I have just made a visit to the Isthmus to In spect the work done and to consult with him on tlio ground as to certain problems which are likely to arise In the near future. The progress of the work is most satisfactory. If no un expected obstacle presents Itself the canal will lie completed well within the time fixed by Colonel Cioethnls to wit , Ian. 1 , lllir > and within the estimate of cost. sa'.OOO.OOO. Among questions arising for present solution Is the decision whether the canal shall be fortified. 1 have already stated to tlie congress that 1 siru.rjlv favor fortification , and I now reiterate this opinion and ask your consideration of the subject In the light of the report already before you made by a compe tent board. If In our discretion we believe mod ern fortifications to be necessary to the adequate protection and policing of the canal , then It Is our duty to construct them. We have built the canal. It is our property. By convention we have Indicated our desire for and Indeed un dertaken Its universal and equal use. It Is also well known that one of the chief objects In the construction of the canal has been to Increase the military effectiveness of our navy. Failure to fortify the canal would leave the attainment of both these alms In tlie position of rights and ob ligations which wo should bo powerless to enforce and which could never In any other way bo absolutely safeguard ed against a desperate and Irrosponsl- > le enemy. In determining what the tolls In the canal should be wo certainly ought note [ o Insist that for a good many years .0 come they should amount to enough to pay the Interest on the Investment of100.000.000 which the United States bus made. In the construction of tlie canal. We ought not to do this , first , because the benefits to b'o derived by the United States from this ex penditure are not to bo measured solely by a return upon the investment. My own Impression Is that the tolls ought not to exceed $1 per net ton. On Jan. 1 , 1011 , the tolls In the Suez canal are to be 7 francs and 2S centimes for one net ton by Suez canal measure ment , which Is a modification of Danube measurement. A dollar a ton will secure under the figures above a gross annual Income from the Panama canal of nearly $7,000,000. The cost of maintenance and operation Is esti mated to exceed $ n,000,000. Tlie next question that arises is as to the maintenance , management and. general control of tlie canal after Its complctlc.i. : It should be premised that It Is nn essential part of our navy establishment to have the coal , oil and other ship supplies , a drydock and opair shops c ( nvcnicntly located with reference to naval vessels passing through the canal. Now , If the govern ment for naval purposes is to under take to furnish these conveniences to thi' navy , and they are conveniences equally required by commercial ves sels , there would scorn to be strong reasons \ -hy the government should take over and include in its manage ment tlie furnishing not only to the navy , lu.t to the public , drydock and repair shop facilities and the sale of coal , oil and other ship supplies. The maintenance of a lock canal of this enormous size In a sparsely popu lated country and In the tropics , where the danger from disease is always press nt. requires n largo and complete and well trained organization with full police powers , exercising the ut most care. 1 cannot close Mils reference to the canal without suggesting as a wise amendment to the Interstate commerce law a provision prohibiting Interstate commerce railroads from owning or controlling s'.ilps engaged in the trade through the Panama canal. 1 believe such a provision may bo needed to save to the people of the United States the bcnclKn of the competition In trade between the eastern ana western sea boards which this canal was construct ed to secure. Department of Justice. I am glad to nay that under the ap propriations made for the department of Justice the attorney general has so Improved Its organization that a vast amount of litigation of a civil and criminal character has been disposed of during the current year. This will explain I he necessity for slightly In creasing the estimates for the ex penses of the department. His report shows the recoveries made on behalf of the government , of duties fraudu lently withheld , public lands Improp erly patented , lines and penalties for trespass , prosecutions and convictions under the anti-trust law aud prosecu tions under Interstate commerce law. I Invite especial attention to the prosecutions under the federal law of the so called "bucket shops" and of those schemes to defraud in which the use of the mail Is an essential part of the fraudulent conspiracy , prosecu tions which have saved ignorant and weak members of the public and are Raving them millions of dollars. Tlie violations of the anti-trust law present perhaps the most Important litigation before the department , and the number of cases filed shows the nctlvltj of the government In enforc Ing that statute. Judicial Procedure. j One great crying need in the United , Btates Is cheapening the cost of litiga tion by simplifying judicial procedure and expediting final judgment. Under present conditions the poor man Is at a woeful disadvantage In a legal con test with a corporation or n rich op ponent. Tlie necessity for the reform exists both In United States courts and In all state courts. In order to bring It nbout , however , it naturally falls to the general government by Us example to furnish a model to all states. A legislative commission ap pointed by joint resolution of congress to revise the procedure In the United 'States courts has as yet made no re port. I am strongly convinced that the best method of improving judicial pro cedure at law Is to empower the mi- promo court to do It through tlio me dium of the rules of the , court , as In equity. Tills Is the way In which It has been done in Kngland. Relief of Supreme Court From Un necessary Appeals , No man ought to have as a matter of right a review of his case by the supreme premo court. lie should bo satisfied by one hearing before a court of first instance and one review by a court of appeals. The proper and chief useful ness of the supreme court , and espe cially the supreme court of the United Stales , Is In the cases which come be fore It so to expound the law and espe cially the fundamental law the con- htltutlon-as to furnish precedents for tlie Inferior courts In future litigation and for tlie executive officers In the construction of statutes and the per formance of tlicit" legal duties. There fore any provisions for review of cases by the supreme court that cast upon that court the duty of passing on ques tions of evidence and the construction of particular forms of instruments , Ilka Indictments or wills or contracts , de cisions not of general application or importance , merely clog and burden the court and render more difficult Its higher function , which makes it so Im portant a part of tlio framework of our government. The supreme court Is now carrying an unnecessary burden of appeals of this kind , and I earnestly urge that It lie removed. Judicial Salaries. I further recommend to congress the passage of the bill now pending for the Increase In the salaries of the fed eral Judges , by which the chief justice of the supreme court shall receive $17- 500 and the associate justices $17,000 , the circuit judges constituting the cir cuit court of appeals shall receive $10- 000 and the district Judges $0,000. The positions they occupy ought to be filled by men who have shown the greatest ability in their professional work nt the bar , and It Is the poorest economy possible for the government to pay salaries so low for Judicial service as not to be able to command the best talent of the legal profession in every part of tlie country. Wiping Out of Postal Deficit. For many years there has been a deficit In the operations of the post- office department which lias been met by appropriation from the treasury. The appropriation estimated for last year from the treasury over and above the receipts of tlie department was $17,500,000. I am glad to record the fact that of that $17r > 00,000 estimated for $11,500,000 were saved and return ed to tlie treasury. It Is gratifying to report that the reduction in tlio deficit has been accomplished without any curtailment of postal facilities. Upon the recommendation of the postmaster general I have Included In the classified service ; all assistant post masters , and I believe that tills giving a secure tenure to those who are the most important subordinates of post masters will add much to the efficiency of their offices and an economical ad ministration. The Franking Privilege. The unrestricted manner in which the franking privilege Is now being used by the several federal services and by congress has laid it open to se rious abuses. Parcels Post. With respect to the parcels post , I respectfully recommend Its adoption on all rural delivery routes and that eleven pounds , the International limit , be made tlie limit of carriage In such post The postolllce department has a great plant and a great organization , reaching Into the most remote hamlet of the United State.s. and with tills machinery it Is able to do a great many things economically that If a new organization were necessary It would be Impossible to do without ex travagant expenditure. That Is the reason why the postal savings bank can be carried on at a small additional cost and why it Is possible to Incor porate at n very Inconsiderable ex pense n parcels post In the rural de livery system. Peary. I unite with the secretary In the rec ommendation that an appropriation be made to construct a suitable crypt at Annapolis for the custody of the remains of John Paul Jones. The unparalleled achievement ol Peary In reaching tlie north pole , April 0 , 1000. approved by critical examina tion of the most expert scientists , has added to the distinction of our navy , to which lie belongs , and reflects credit upon his country. Ills unique success lias received generous acknowledgment from scientific bodies and Institutions of learning In IJuropo and America. I recommend fitting recognition by con gress of the great achievement of Hob- crt Kdwln Peary. For Eight Hour Day. It seems to me from the past history that the government has been com mitted to a policy of encouraging the limitation of the day's work to clglic hours in nil works of construction lull atcd by Itself , and It seems to me li- loglcnl to maintain a difference bctweciu government work done on government : soli and government work done in m private establishment. Workmen's Compensation. In view of the keen , widespread IIH tcrest now felt In the United States Ini a system of compensation for Industrial - ' trial accidents to supplant our present : thoroughly unsatisfactory system of employers' liability ( n subject the Im portance of which congress has al ready recognized by the appointment of a commission ) , I recommend that- the International congress on Indus trial Insurance be Invited to hold Its meeting In 10it : In Washington and that an appropriation of $10,000 ln made to cover the necessary cxponso'i of organizing and carrying on tin * meeting. Safety Appliances nnd Provisions. Tlie protection of railroad employees from personal injury is n subject of the highest Importance nnd demands continuing attention. Negro Exposition. I also renew my recommendation that stwps be taken looking to the holdIng - Ing of i negro exposition lu celebra tion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Issuing by Mr. Lincoln of the emanci pation proclamation. Conservation. Nothing can be more Important In the matter of conservation than the treatment of our forest lands. Speak ing generally , the government has re served of tlie existing forests about 70 per cent of all the ttmberlands of the government. Within these forests ( In cluding 20.000,000 acres In two forests in Alaska ) are 102,000,000 acres , oC which 100,000,000 acres are in tlio United States proper and Include with in their boundaries something like 22.- 000,000 acres that belong to the states or to private Individuals. Wo have , then , excluding Alaska forests , a total of about M'1,000,000 acres of forests belonging to the government which are being treated In accord with tlio principles of scientific forestry. The law now prohibits the reserva tion of any moro forest lands In Oregon gen , Washington , Idaho , Montana. Colorado and Wyoming except by act of congress. I am informed by the department of agriculture that the government owns other tracts of tlm- berlaud in these states which should bo Included In the forest reserves. 1 recommend to congress that the limi tation heroin Imposed be repealed. In the present forest reserves there nro lands which are not properly forest land and which ought to bo subject to > , homestead entry. i Coal Lands. I Tlie next subject , nnd one most 1m- ' portant for your consideration , la the disposition of the coal lands in the. United State.s and In Alaska. At the beginning of this administration there were classified coal lands In the United ' ed States amounting to r > . ' 170,000 acres , and there were withdrawn from entry for purposes of classification 17,807,000 acres. Since that time there have been withdrawn by my order from entry for classification 78,077,7-15 acres , mak ing a total withdrawal of OG,8-M,7-I5 acres. Meantime of the acres thus withdrawn 10,001,880 have been clnssl- led and found not to contain coal and lave been restored to agricultural on- : ry and -1,720,001 acres have been clas sified nn coal lands'while 70,003,2:50 : acres remain withdrawn from entry nnd await classification. In addition n17.)00 { ( ) acres have been classified as coal lands without prior withdrawal , thus Increasing the classified coal lands to 10I20:572 : acres. Tlie question as to how great an area ought to be Included In a lease to one individual or corporation is not free from difficulty , but in view of tlio fact that the government retains con trol as owner I think there might be some liberality In the amount leased and that 2.500 acres would not be too great a maximum. The leases should only lie granted after advertisement and public competition. The secretary of the Interior thinks there are difficulties In the way of leasing public coal lands. I entirely approved his stating at length In his report the objections in order that the whole subject may bo presented to congress , but after n full consideration I favor a leasing system and recom mend it. The needed oil and gas law Is essen tially a leasing law. In their natural occurrence oil and gas cannot lie measured In terms of acres , like coal , and It follows that exclusive title to these products can normally be se cured only after they reach the sur face. Oil should be disposed of as a commodity In terms of barrels of transportable product rather than In acres of real estate. Water Powerf Rates. The water power sites subject Is one that calls for now legislation. It has been thought that there was danger of combination to obtain possession of all the power sites and to unite them under one control. Whatever the evi dence of this or lack of it , at present we have lind enough experience to know that combination would be prof itable , and tlio control of a great num ber of power sites would enable the holders or owners trf raise the price of power at will within certain sec tions , and the temptation would promptly attract Investors , nnd the danger of monopoly and extortion would not bo n remote one. However this may be. It Is the plain duty of the government to see to It that In the utilization and develop ment of all this Immense amount of water power conditions shall bo Im posed that will prevent extortionate charges , which are tlie usual accompa niment of monopoly.