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Show would thereafter authorize. Although reserving the right of amendment or repeal, this statute placed no time limit on grants. An amendment of the General Dam Act in 1910 limited grants to 50 years, and reserved the right to revoke them at any time for public use upon payment of rea- sonable value. It failed to impose any charge for the privilege. Nor did it make provision for disposition of the properties upon termination of the grant. Restrictive conditions in early statutes making individual grants for private development were few and varied, some requiring transfer to the United States of the dam and navigation works upon completion, others containing differ- ing or no comparable provisions. Until the 1920's, sporadic attention was given to the development and use of power at Federal projects. In 1906, Congress supplemented the 1902 Reclamation Act by authorizing the lease of surplus power or power privilege at reclama- tion projects for periods not exceeding 10 years, "giving preferences to municipal purposes." By legislation enacted in 1912 and still effective, Con- gress authorized the Secretary of the Army to pro- vide, in the permanent parts of any authorized navigation dam, such works as may be desirable for future development of water power. And 1913 legislation requires that reports on exam- inations and surveys of proposed navigation improvement include data concerning the devel- opment and utilization of water power for indus- trial and commercial purposes. Presidential veto messages early emphasized the benefits of power and multiple-purpose devel- opment of water resources. In one such mes- sage, President Theodore Roosevelt took the view that power should be developed at, and should aid in financing Federal navigation improve- ments. And in his veto messages on the Rainy River and James River bills, granting broad rights for non-Federal development, the President pointed out that a definite time limit should be fixed in grants, permitting the public to retain control; that charges for the privilege should be imposed; and that in approving plans, maximum development of navigation and power should be assured. Somewhat similar considerations were later voiced by President Taft in two veto mes- sages. 290 The concept of multiple use in planning navi- gation, flood control, and other river develop- ment programs also received early and particular attention from special water study commissions. This was a principal impact of reports by the Inland Waterways Commission in 1908; by the National Conservation Commission in 1909; and by the National Waterways Commission, com- posed of 12 Members of Congress, in 1910 and 1912. Another Waterways Commission, author- ized by Congress in 1917 to coordinate the activi- ties of Government agencies relating to water resources, was given limited powers but the Com- missioners were never appointed, and the legis- lation was repealed in 1920. Non-Federal Development and Operation.- Until 1920, individual statutory authorizations for non-Federal development of power left un- certain a grantee's tenure and investment under grants perpetual in their terms, but subject to termination. Private development had moved slowly. Although 36 special acts were passed by Congress and made subject to the 1906 and 1910 General Dam Acts, only 8 dams were completed. By the 1920 Federal Water Power Act, Con- gress regularized and facilitated Federal permis- sion for non-Federal development of power through a licensing system. The act and its his- tory reflect a purpose to encourage non-Federal development while safeguarding the public inter- est and making possible ultimate public owner- ship. Created by the act, the Federal Power Com- mission has broad authority to conduct investiga- tions and surveys concerning the utilization of water resources and the water power industry, including power market studies. A number of provisions in the act contemplate Commission consideration of multiple uses of projects and of comprehensive development. Several provisions seek to avoid interference with navigation use. The Commission's licensing authority extends to waters under the jurisdiction of Congress and generally to public lands. No license may be issued when in the Commission's judgment the development should be undertaken by the United States. States and "municipalities," as defined |