New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-02
oDELL RAMAPO'S REAL FOE
ooLER ABANDONED THE FIGHT AT THE
CRITICAL POINT, SAYS MR.. KING.
FINAL LEGISLATION WHICH KILLED THE
STEAL WAS BROUGHT ABOUT
BY THE GOVERNOR

y.
setting forth the relations Of Governor Oden
and Mr.. Coler to the Ramapo grab ITO Mr..
Coler belongs credit for holding up the steal
when il came before the Board OF Public I'm
provernent, and for contributing $3.50 TO fund
raised by the association.
In August. 1899. the Merchants Association
hogan a minute examination into the history Of
the Ramapo Water Company. the legislation
which related 10 it. and the general facts as
10 the citv's water supply 1t was learned that
the city charter. passed in 1897. contained pro-
visions which -cornered' the city's future water
supply; that the city could be prevented from
obtaining new sources by condemnation, and
might be compelled to resort to contract; that
IN such case contract with the Ramapo Water
Company would be seemingly compulsory as
that company had obtained control Of the neces-
ssry sources. and that the Commissioner OF
Water Supply had excessive and dangerous
power as % contracts Further investigation.
undertaken on a hint from Mr.. Grout that the
Ramapo contract was only a blind for a big
steal. revealed that alleged agents OF the city
had Teen obtaining options on water rights in
the Ten Mile River basin. only separated from
the Croton basin by a narrow ridge.
"The Merchants Association went before the
legislature in 1900 TO obtain legislation TO insure
the citys control OF its present and future water
supply The Fallows bill effectively limited the
Water Commissioners powers OF contract MI
Coler supported it, The Morgan bill was drafted
10 restore 10 the city power TO condemn water
rights anywhere in the State. If this measure
were passed it ended Ramapo. Much opposition
to it was raised by members from Suffolk
County, who feared that this city's water sup
ply would be taken from their county.
Repeated conferences with Governor Roose-
welt Senator Stranahan Chairman Kelsey and
Mr. Oden brought about compromise meas
ure which restored to this city the power OF
condemnation in thirteen specified counties,
which compromise covered all from which the
needed water supply could be obtained with
out going into other States. The amended bill
made impracticable any speculative job in water
rights in the Housatonic Valley Up to that
point Mr. Coler had favored the restoration TO
the city Of the powers wrongfully taken from IT;
but Mr. Coler did not favor & bin which omit
ted the counties Of Westchester, Putnam and
Columbia The Board of Public Improvements
was requested TO pass resolution approving
the Morgan bill. He voted against the meas
ure, which conceded every power necessary for
the future water supply OF this city. On Aprh
2 1900 Governor Roosevelt wrote:
LAS anticipated. the Controllers statement
has rendered it impossible to pass the amended
Morgan bill, and this without regard as to
whether the Controller is right or wrong.
When a representative from the Merchants
Association called on Mr.. Coler to ask why. by
abandoning the fight at a critical moment. he
caused the defeat OF the Ramapo legislation. ne
replied that he had not supported the bill be-
cause il excluded Westchester and Putnam
counties, with the Ten Mile River. and there
fore the adjoining Housatonic Valley. in Con-
necticut II was explained to Mr.. Coler and ex-
Judge Dillon, his counsel. that the legal objec-
lions TO a source in Connecticut were almost in
sCperable. Judge Dillon at length admitted this.
When Mr.. Ooen learned the nature OF the
associations efforts he save his support Al
the close Of the session of 1900. he, at that time
chairman Of the Republican State COMMITTEE
saiG:
Gentlemen, when you know just what is
necessary TO protect the interests of New-York
City, prepare the bills and submit them TO me.
# they are just and right, viii do all can 70
see thai the Republican party relieves New
York City Of any wrongful burden in this mat
ter
That fan Mr. Oden. then candidate for Gov
ernor. wrote 10 the Merchants Association:
q" I desire 10 reiterate TO you what ] intended
TO be an absolute and unqualified Endorsement
OF the general plan TO give New-York City its
own water supply, and also to say that when
used the words remedial legislation used them
in their fullest and utmost meaning, and that is
that the rights OF the city are paramount to all
other individual or corporate rights not munic-
ipal
Later. at a conference with Mr. King and
others. he again confirmed his promises when
he became Governor he furthere6 the work in
every way. When the obstruction tactics came
association that the bills would become law.
He promised that if the legislature adjourned
without action he would call special session.
Throughout the proceedings the Governor was
confident of their ultimate success.
When the Morgan Repeal bill was referred
70 the judiciary Committee he telegraphed TO
the association:
q" Reference is principally question OF prece-
dence between Senate and Assembly. Don't
think you need have any fear as TO outcome"
JUSTICE HALLS VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN.
Justice Ernest Halls headquarters in the Gilsey
House not too spacious TO accommodate the
visitors who yesterday reported news Of his in
ereasing constituency The latest development in
4-e judicial campaign is the diminishing strength
o. the Greater New-York Democracy" said one OF
the visitors. Independent voters should note that
the Tammany estimate OF the Sheehan vote is 5000.
which may that Messrs Steckler and Keener
may receive 5000 votes than Judge Hall, be-
cause they have been Endorsed by the Sheehanites.
and Hall has not this Endorsement. The inde-
pendent voter can however. readily this situa-
don by putting the cross before the name OF Ernest
Hall at the expense OF a vote for De Witt Warner
whose nomination by the Greater New-York
Democracy IS purely complimentary and whose
election is out Of the question In brief straight
ballet for the Greater New-York Democratic ticket
is vote for steckler and Keener and a vote
against Hall" Among the callers at Judge Halls
headquarters yesterday were ex-Jrdge William ~
Earchiid.- eT-Judge Charles 2, smms. ex-J0dge
Simpson Henry nFH TSompson Dr. James n clifford
Dr.. Van Vlect. Herman Aaron and A. I. Ekus.
W A KEENER'S HIGH QUALIFICATIONS.
The following summary Of Justice william A
Keener's life and qualifications for office has been
issued and is being extensively circulated;
The undersigned desire 70 urge upon you The
Wisdom Of casting your pots o LOT Ssncb Wilhelm
He is the candidate OF the Greater New'Hork
democrats and the hep1o nc Augusta Ga in 1856
e was graduated from .i1OfS stb 1sy1ee = =