The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-04-26
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he said, had been agitating the people of the
State and especially Jersey City for over
twenty years. Newark had found it to her
advantage to secure a new supply with the
aid of a private corporation.
Mr.. Dear then referred to the Malone bill
of several years ago, which was introduced,
he said, to secure for Jersey City the surplus
of Newark's supply, on the principle that
the State owned the potable water within
its limits. This was looked upon as al at
tempt to deprive Newark of the fruit OF its
enterprise, and at his, Mr.. Bears sugges-
tion, the present bill was amended so as to
exclude Newark's supply from its pro-
visions.
Mr.. Dear did not think that that was nee
essary, but it was lone to satisfy the New
ark people. The bill under consideration as
serted the right of the State over the pot
able water of its sheds, and would do great
good to all concerned. The people who own
ed land in the northern part of the State,
land which was worthless for farm
ing purposes, will AVE no right
to demand exorbitant prices for
that land. The present condition of
Newark's Water Company was due to the
exorbitant prices paid flor water privileges
and right of way.
The bill would stop speculation both in
land and water. So rapidly was the de
mand of water increasing that in a few
years the demand would equal the entire
rain fall of the northern part of the State
Every municipality was interested in the
question.
1t would be better, Mr.. Dear argued, to
lave a board with power to make contracts
with the municipalities. The bill gave the
board power to issue bonds, which was one
of its important features. He told of a firm
which wanted to make a contract to supply
Jersey City. There was a firm of bankers
behind it who vera willing to float the firms
bonds. 1t was the credit of the city which
was to nave been used. Ii a weak firm
could have fioated the bonds on the city's
credit the board created by the bill would
AVE no difficulty in floating bonds issued on
the credit or the State.
ssThe time is coming. said Mr.. James
Flemming, who followed Mr.. Dear, "when
Jersey City will need a new water supply.
One of the primary objects of this bill Is to
preserve the water of the State for Jersey
men,
An attempt was being made, Mr.. Flem-
ming then went on TO say, to divert the
waters to New York through the Hudson
tunnel; and the matter was now being con-
sidered by the New York Legislature. The
report of the State Geological Department
that the State has 10 water to spare.
There was hardly enough for our W
people, and unless it was taken In charge OF
by the State, spectators and syndicates
would secure it all.
Mr.. FIemming contended that the man
who owned the shore did not own the water.
Senator Skirm asked if the law did not
give ownership to some owners.
Mr.. Flemming said it gave only the
right to use it and return it to the stream
.unpofuted.
IA man can buy the bottom of a lake,
can't hep asked Mr.. Skirm.
eyes, but he cannot buy the water" said
Mr.. FIemming. He can own rights to fish,
to go on the water or to use the power, but
he cannot use the water.n
Mr.. Ketcham said chat the main trouble
in this matter would be- the issue of bonds.
The State could not do that. Mr.. F1emming
said the State would not issue the bonds or
be responsible for them, but that they would
be issued upon tie credit of the cities.
Mr.. John D.. Carscallen denounced the eff
forts of men to secure control of the pota-
bic waters of the State as vicious, n said
the State ought to protect its citizens. He
showed how the bill made provision for a
fund to pay the bonds which would
be issued by the board.
Spencer Weart and Judge McGrath adj
the bill, and the committee decided
to report the bill today.