New-York tribune., 1901-04-24
NEW LAWS FOR THIS CITY
A REVISED CHARTER MUNICIPAL OWN
ERSHIP OF WATER SUPPLY AND A
NEW POLICE COMMISSION
AMONG THEM

! Albany April g (SpeciaD.-The Charter Revision
| Commission of New-York City submitted 10 'he
legislature careful revision of the charter OF tha'
city. The central thought of this revision was
/ that of increasing the authority of the various
boroughs make local improvements The May
! ors reduced to two years. but ne re-
ceived authority TO remove the heads OF most or
| the city departments at any time In his term the
| Department of Docks made single headed
| department
The Charter Revision bill was fought by the
! Democratic members of the Legislature and was
vetoed by Mayor Van Wyck, but was passed by
the legislature over his veto.
The charter has been amended by eight
supplemental bills. which have been framed TO meet
objections made the original act. These bills
| were passed to-day by both Senate and Assembly.
and follows:
Frst-Striking out the provision giving sl6o 900
worth of corporation advertising year 10 eight
| newspapers in the Boroughs of Queens. Richmond
second Eliminating the section which makes
| force. and gives them the same pay
moneys TO the support of private educational insti
| Fourth-Doing away with the provision allowing
the Board of Estimate and Apportonment to
| a board of audit for the Dock Commission. and
vesting that right in the Sinking Fund Commits
| sion.
graduates Of the Normal College from examination
| for teachers positions.
bill that part Which provides that the Dock Com
missioner in order to acquire title TO private DOCKS %
purposes shall only send a notice to the oWner
stating the price he is willing to pay together with tn
| a resolution showing the approval OF SUCH action py
the Sinking Fund Commissioners.
| Seventh-Providing for a Deputy Dock Commits
Eighth Permitting the Dock commssonsT to to
| the Board of Estimate and Apportionment
| CONCERNING WATER SUPPLY.
| A notable victory was scored in this session OF
| the legislature by those who favor municipal own
ership Of water for New-York City and the freeing
| Of that municipality from all danger OF being
| made the victim OF extortionate contract with
| a private water company. The fight in the legis-
| lature which led by Assemhlyfnan Morgan
| and Senator Slate. was powerfully aided by the
Merchants Association and the public press OF
New-York City The legislation secured IS as
follows: % Era bling New-York City its
| water supply. C2) Extending the debt limit OF the
| city for water improvements CD preventing hold-
| ups OF such improvements by providing that water
| contracts need only have the unanimous consent
| Of the Board OF Estimate and Apportionment
| C) Repeating the extraordinary powers OF the
| Ramapo Water Company as established by an act
| of 1895
| The bill bling New-York City to condemn lands
and its supply introduced by As
| sembyman Morgan and Senator Slater The bill OF
Mr. Morgan the signed by the Governor
This new law permits the city OF New-York TO ac-
| quire by condemnation any lands water rights
| which not in actual use reasonably likely in
the opinion of the courts. be used by any other
community. The bill also provides in regard to pro-
| curing water from another State as follows:
The city of New-York is authorized to acquire by
| purchase lease otherwise lands water in any
other State rights interests privileges in.
the p9rose o Of sappyins water to the city Of Neg
deemed IN anH m to limit the rights property
fights, power or jurisdiction now possessed BY the
maintenance operation or completion OF It's present
| water system.
| The removing of the debt limit of New-York City
| in regard to water improvements is be accom-
! nils 1a6 oyy emf ing tba
| Constitution. introduced by Senator Slater and
| semblyr,an Morgan. This resolution passed as
bearing the name Of Senator Slater and must be re-
passed by the legislature OF 1903 1904 to become
| part OF the Constitution.
| The act to prevent holdups OF water contracts by
| the Board % Aldermen introduced by Assem-
| blyman Seyraour. The act provides that the Board
OF Estimate snd Apportonment Of New-York City
may by the 'n nimous vote OF all its members and
| without the Insent or concurrence of any other
board public body direct the Controller TO issue
| corporate stock OF the city in such amounts the
public interest may demand to provide means for
defraying the cost Of extending and improving the
water supply system of the city.
The consent approval of the Municipal Assem-
m shall a R be or @ a19 to a the Of
incurred for said water supply
FIGHTING RAMAPO
The repeal of the extravagant powers of the
| Ramapo company accomplished only after the
| most bitter fight. The bill repeating these powers
| was introduced the first day of the session by
| Senator Slater and Assemblyman Morgan. Hearing
| after hearing held the bill. Briefs were
| submitted and still the bill lay in committee in
| both Senate and Assembly. The Merchants AS
| sociation of New-York expended SIS 900 in
| fighting for the bill, and hired special engineers
| and counsel for the purpose of persuading the
committees 10 report the bill The first action
at last taken the latter part of February by the
Nutritive,