Abstract

Governor Roosevelt's Power Program

For several years a bitter struggle has been in progress at Albany for the development of a State power program that would protect the consumers. A sharp difference of opinion as to the method of development has delayed the program. With the exception of Governor Charles Evans Hughes the Republicans have favored leasing natural water-power resources to private companies. Governor Alfred Smith and more recently Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt have favored State development and operation. The plan proposed by Governor Roosevelt goes much further than State development. It provides that in the distribution of State-generated energy State contracts with the power companies replace the present unsatisfactory form of regulation.