New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-13
MERCHANTS FIGHT ON R4M4PO.
ASSOCIATIONS LATEST CIRCULAR IN FAVOR OF
REMEDIAL LEGISLATION.


REMEDIAL LEGISLATION.
The Merchants Association is pushing its cam
paign against the Ramapo water octopus with I'M
ceasng vigor and determination. delegation
from the Water Supply Committee of the associa-
ton viii 90 Albany to-day TO attend a hearing
before the Cities Committee which viii be held
this afternoon The hearing viii be devoted to the
bills introduced in the Senate by Senator Ford
Among them is the bill which prepared by the
Water Supply Committee Of the association and
which introduced by Assemblyuan John H.
Morgan and is known in the Assembly the
Morgan bill. This bill proposes 20 reestablsh for
New-York City the right Of eminent domain in
condenning lands for the water supply of the city
by amending the present charter, which, II now
stands deprives New-YorI; OF that right in that it
is so hedged about by conditions 10 be practi-
caIly nuIided. This right existed before the pres
ent charter drawn and became operative.
The members OF the delegation will be NJ E.
Bannin, chairman of the Water Supply Committee
of the association; W. a. Marble. A. J. Baldwin,
Joseph G. Dean. F. ". Hnrichs ". c. lie Gendre
E. z. Ocott. II. ". Goodrich. John N. Perry,
NJ r Maltbie. s Crtsty Mead assistant secretary
OF the Merchants Association; F. B. De Berard
William p. Corwine and II. Planter.
The leading argument Of the delegation in behalf
Of the bill will be made by Arthur J. Baldwin, Of
the law firm Of Dill, Bomeisler & Baldwin. coun-
sci for the association.
The Merchants Association is mailing thirty
five thousand merchants throughout the State an
other circular urging the. favorable report of the
Morgan bill by the Cities Committees of the Sen
ate and Assembly. and its passage by the LegisIat-
This is the fourth series Of circulars Of this
kind sent out by the association.
The circular in question first outlines the his
tory of the Ramapo Water Company. describes the
maupulations whereby II obtained its powers.
and goes ask why the city should be forced
10 to private company $40 for q million gal
Ions Of water while the under municipal
ership is only So g q million gallons. The cir
cular says that rom Information gathered from
some Of the political leaders in this State it is
clear that they purpose to answer the public de-
mand for remedial legislation by passing the Fal-
lows bill-which provides Simply the manner in
which contract with private water company
shall be made-after multiplying It by amendments.
''NewYork City must have water" the circular
adds and if II cannot procure il in its rights,
II must procure 1t from private water company.
7 MS legislation. therefore amounts 10 nothing.
In there Is amendment passed giving TO
New-YOrk City the right of condemnation. the city
must go 70 the Hamapo Water Company for any
additional water II may need There is alter
native II the Ramapo Water Company
tract with the city Of New-York every manufact-
Uring city, village in the State also every
electric lighting company, IS in Jeopardy for, with
its extended powers. granted 1880 this great
octopus will then have absolute control Of the
watersheds of this state.