The Concentration of Water Powers

Control of water powers furnishes the basis for leadership in the productive world. Concentration of ownership and control of water powers is progressing at an alarming rate. Water-power interests are effecting consolidations of gigantic proportions. Mr. Pinchot recently showed that during the decade preceding 19I3 the ten leading water-power combinations in the United states doubled their control of water-power sites.' In I909 the Bureau of Corporations reported that thirteen groups of interests controlled one-third of the commercial water power of the United States.2 In I9I2 the Bureau reported that only ten groups controlled three-fifths of it.3 It was stated in the House of Representatives that from I9II to I9I3 the ten largest groups increased their holdings of developed power 48 per cent and of undeveloped power I4I per cent.4 The continually increasing proportion of undeveloped to developed powers owned and controlled by a small number of operators indicates that concentration is rapidly being made effective. Strenuous efforts are being expended to employ the most extraordinary methods to secure control of sites. Representatives were engaged by a large power company in Colorado to locate the best power sites in order that it might get control of them. Its activities were extended, not only to acquire new sites, but also to take over those rights which others found it necessary to relinquish. This was illustrated in the cases of the Glenwood and Kremling sites. A Denver promoter was known as a professional filer for water rights. By filing in the names of his friends he secured many rights