New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-07

STABILITY necessity of the construction of vast
storage reservoirs in any part Of the Adrondacks,
to institute condemnation proceedings for the ac-
Quirement of lands in the Adrondacks, owned
either by private individuals by the State of
NewYork. for the purpose of carrying on the con-
struction of such reservors the Commission Will
have power to superintend and control the opera
these reservoirs. the cost and con-
struction of the same upon the water power owners
to be benefited thereby, and, In short. will have
control Of the whole proposed Adirondack storage
reservoir system no matter how comprehensive 1t
may be-
The bin be introduced will also provide that no
part OF the cost of construction and maintenance
Of such reservoirs shall be borne in any manner by
the State of New-York, shall any part of the
cost of such construction be assessed upon any
city, town, village or county. The bill provides
the of the construction of such reservoirs
shall be borne by the water power owners who
benefited by the construction and maintenance
OF such reservoirs. In other words, the proposed
Adirondack storage reservoir legislation is part of
plan the part OF Adirondack water power
owners to increase the value of the present water
powers, increasing the amount of power at all
times of the year by equalizing the flow of water
from the sources of the Adirondack streams.
Should the bill become a law it is the purpose Of
the present large of water powers streams
having their sources in the Adrondacks to begin
at once the construction OF comprehensive sys-
tenn Of storage reservoirs.
FAILURE OF PAST EFFORTS
while several attempts have been made in the
past TO get such system of storage reservoirs
into existence, they have all failed because Of the
objections urged against such legislation by idvid
usl owners OF Adirondack lands. and on account Of
other strong opposition to such far reaching legs
iation or the part OF persons who claimed to be
interested in the preservation of the forests. 1t
is anticipated by the organizers of the present
movement that a determined opposition will be
made TO the passage OF the proposed bill They
hay several
Northern New-York. of which is known as the
Association OF Water Power Owners of the
Eaquette River. George W. Sisson of the A. Sher
Lumber Company, of Upper Lake and Pots
dam. IL the president of the association F. L.
Dewey, of the Raquette River Paper Company,
treasurer. and Ogden H Tappan. OF the Hannawa
Falls Water Power Company, secretary.
This association and somewhat similar associ-
alton organized III the city of WATERFOWL repre-
senting the numerous manufacturing interests de-
pendent the Black River water power there,
have agreed upon bills to be submitted 10 the
LEGISLATURE Immediately after its organization in
January, and the two associations propose to
begin vigorous campaign at Albany
the Legislature meets and keep IL until the bills
are finally disposed of.
The fact of the organization of these associations
has become known to a small portion of the public
in Northern and Central New-York within few
days, and the enormous interests in Adirondack
lands, in preserves. parks, timber lands and the
manufacturing interests 10 be affected by the pas
sage OF the proposed bill great and In
some cases apparently conflicting. that a
riety of opinions regarding the merits of the pro-
posed legislation is being expressed.
Senator George r. Malby will introduce the bill
In the Senate, and II will be introduced in the
Assembly by Assernbiyman from St. Law
renee OF Jefferson County. The bill will be
Titled AN Act TO provide for the construction of
storage reservoirs within the boundaries of the
Forest Preserve to -equaze the flow OF water from
the Adirondack streams. and to provide for the
rnaintenance and control of such reservoirs"
$780, PROVISIONS OF THE BILL
Besides the enact1ng clause the bill will contain
four sections Section i will empower the Fish
cries. Game and Forest Commission TO receive and
consider petitions from water power owners on
streams having their In the Forest Pre-
asking that reservoirs shall be established
on said streams. II the petition is approved II
ehan be lawful for such reservoirs be con-
structed, the location, plans and specifications of
the same to be approved by the Commission and
by the State Engineer and Surveyor. Section 2
provides that the lands necessary for such reser-
vors be taken under condemnation proceed
inss. and that said lands may be used for such
purposes. If such is approved by the Commits
cen End no injury done TO the forests. Section 8
provfces that the cost of construction and Ioca-
uon of such reservoirs may be assessed on the
petitioning individuals, corporations In proper
too 10 the benefit be received by them by
commission appointed by the Supreme Court which
commission shall be organized and shall have the
powers Of commissions organized under the con-
demnat.on iaws, subject TO the approval of the
Fisheries Game and Forest Commission and that
the act shall not be construed to obligate the
State 10 bear any expense incurred Hereunder
Eection makes II misdemeanor for any unau-
thorized 10 interfere with any such reser-
yoirs their appurtenances The enacting clause
provides that the act shall take effect imme-
diatey.
OBJECTIONS OF LAND OWNERS
lnesmuch the question Of actual taxation
is disposed Of by the bill, the objections TO the
proposed legislation confined TO those persons
who own lands IN the Adirondacks and who be-
Eeve that their properties there Will be dam
iAgsd by the construction of such reservoirs as