DS, eight pages, 9.75 x 16 (with signed page trimmed to 9.75 x 7), January 19, 1931. As governor of New York, Roosevelt submits to the state legislature a summary of the recommendations of the St. Lawrence Power Commission. He points out that the Commission's finding that a dam can be built safely "is an outstanding vindication for those of us who have supported the project against the insidious propaganda for private development. It should foreclose for all time to come further discussion of public development of the St. Lawrence site."
As for the question "Who shall get the power?," Roosevelt points out that the Commission, like himself is "interested chiefly not so much in disposition of this power to industries which might locate near the St. Lawrence River, but in its cheap sale and transmission to household consumers." And the Commission has also reported its agreement with the Governor's position "that the rates should not be subject to the control of the Public Service Commission, but should be fixed by contract based on a definite method for transmittal of power, but the Governor feels that keeping these alternatives as options will be a useful 'bargaining club…' in negotiating with the newly formed private Niagara Hudson Power Company." He concludes by saying that both minority and majority reports "should be a source of gratification to those of us who have been interested in cheaper electricity in the homes. They show—first, that power can be developed cheaply; second, that rates at which it is to be sold to the ultimate consumers should be fixed by contract in the interest of the consumer; third, that if the contract is impossible to obtain, alternate methods should be pursued which would ultimately place this power in our homes of our citizens at low rates; fourth, that the authorities of the United States and Canada have so far evidenced an attitude of friendly cooperation; fifth, that the time is ripe for the creation by the Legislature of a Power Authority with Legislative sanction to proceed to carry to completion its negotiations, as well as such further necessary studies as need be made of the building of transmission lines by the State, or the possibility of a new corporation to undertake to contract with the State, for the transmission of cheap electricity." In fine condition, with some light smudging from pencil notations, and the last (signed) page trimmed in size. From the collection of Malcolm Forbes.
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