The evening world., 1893-12-29
MT. VERNON TORN Up.
City Fathers Drawn Into The Fight
Of Rival Water Companies,
A TAMNANY SCHEME AT THE BOTTOM
OF THE TROUBLE.
CITIZENS GO TO ALBANY FOR RELIEF.

- NAV Wv
Through the heart Of Mount Vernon
runs a great water main. and or its
line the city fathers are ranged in open
wurfare upon the New York City STU
burban Water Company. which owns
nhd operates the plant and water mains
of Mount Vernon. The officials alleSe
that the water furnished Is bad,
while the prices charged are sx-
orbitant. The water company peo-
pie point TO a bit OF the history In
the water controversy, wherein a syn
dicate. the controlling interests OF which
are In the hands OF leading Tammany
politicians. attempted to get control OF
tn. water franchise with n view OF SELL
Ing It to the city OF New York when
Mount Vernon should be annexed. In
= syndicate, II is said. eX-Ssnator John
Fox owned c. per cent.
While the present fight appears TO be
the effort of an honest and economical
municipal council against the rapacity
OF IA greedy corporation, IL Is said to be
IN fact Il battle betwean two rival water
companies, wherein the Aldermen are
but lay figures.
The Mount Vernon Water Company
was formed in 1884. In Mount Vernon, by
local capitalists. 1t had but a small
plant. and its business was not prosper
Gus. In 1856 the New York and Noun
Vernon Water Company was formed,
with the National Water Works syndi-
cate. or Chicago, back OF 1t. TO this
company the rights OF the original conf
mana uvara : ra rcfarrab 'Tba New York
and Mount Vernon Water Company then
obtained from the village "A fre-year
contract to supply the village fire ny
drants and the inhabitants with pure
and wholesome water. The supply OF the
original mpa was obtained from an
artesian well In the village. but the new
company obtained its supply from the
Hutchinson River, on which was built
n reservoir at Pe.hamville. whence the
water was pumped by steam power to a
large stand pipe. At the expiration OF
the five-year contract the trouble began:
The projected Greater New York bill
was being discussed. and 1t was under
stood that Mount Vernon was to be In
cluded within the enlarged metropolitan
limits.
Moses r. Crow built the original water
works plant at Mount. Vernon. Being
connected both by marriage md past po-
litical preferences with Tammany. he
engaged the capital of Senator Fox. John
A. Morris and others in a project TO
acquire control OF the Mount Vernon
Then the New York and Westminster
Water Compan. came forward with a
proposition to furnish water for Mount
Vernon. This latter company, had been
formed the previous year, and was sup
plying water to South Mount Vernon.
Williamsbridge, Westchester.. city, Island
and other places In the projected limits
this company has, from the city OF New
York. the contract for furnishing water
to Hurt's Island, which Is another story
Despite the fact that the Chicago Ma,
tional Water Company had on the cards
at that time a fight in KansaI City
Council had given them the option sci
or get out. they saw through the ,Ntiort'
OF Senator. Fox's syndicate and con
New York, and began a vigorous high
against the FoX syndicate and sought ;
newal Of the expired contract. Main.
were tapped anywhere and everywhere !
ties were not troubled with water bills
Great promises were made In event Of
renewal Of the ,ontract, and; as ne;
YORK YORK n and N Moa int N vsrnon ,ns w Sss
the village, trustees as counsel
to adSsnee Legal ,o Sinlms fS %otb hne e %a
said about hydrant rent or citizens bilis
but much-needed improvements In tn
plant were planned, and handsome blu
prints of the same were furnished ever
, citizen on application. The company wa
? awarded a contract for another five years
D which expires by limitation in October
Early in 1892. the New York CT
Suburban Water Company. was formed
. under the act OF lS4S, and consolidate
= Water Company, under the former nam
Q This company Is at present suppiyln
!, water to Noun, Vernon under the col
5 With the framing OF the Greater Ne
e York bill. the victorious company sa
\ IT, hopes Of making oT a p fsds aM,s sale b,
: syndicate. and accordingly orders We
. given to retrench. Water rates We
? Increased, and collections began In ca
y the company fought for a renewal OF !
II contract. So rapacious was the wat
= company, considering the quality OF !
.. w to seek 'u lo2 .om mat na t@e ln s'' the eoa oss.
1t they had blindiy entered into. T.
officials Of the defeated company {
~ offered 30 put In n new plant and supp
Ne better water at hall. the cost.
re- During the pas' fSrtp haan f the emp Ie
y. fam 1ss II The 's city Seran BY reiusing
ct pay hydrant rent. and followed by mea
ne ures looking to the severance OF !
a, existing contract. Fire Chief Fiske d
i CldiSu no Wv ~ -"
cd to put out fires with. containing. as
did. so large a percentage of infammat
III matter in a semi-saturated state, TIL
~ the Chief, who is also an Alderma
er dropped a bomb in the Council bv one
ing at its last meeting resolutions pi
viding for an investigation preparato
to the acquisition by the city of I
water company's plant and franchis
The resolutions went through with
The Tammany syndicate then beg
10 draw up. rlans for enlarging, tn
plant and LAYING mains through
to streets. But 1t Is learned that May
ch Brush has vetoed the Councils ord
,sr on the ground that 1t provides for e
illegal expenditure
III such u franchise is so valuable Il
a two companies should fight for IT," 81
40 an Alderman yesterday, why should !
'ee we own our O yn plant and protect y
York In case OF annexation" This ID
became so prevalent with the citizt
that II has taken definite form. Law,
. Joseph S. Wood was engaged yesterd
he to draft a hill having for Its object
withdrawal OF the franchise granted
the old village Of Mount Vernon to
water company. Assemblymap 10
Berry has consented to Introduce a
urge the passage Of the bill In the conn
session OF the Legislature
The Fox syndicate still hopes to &
led possession OF the franchise. and for