New-York tribune., 1902-02-20
Mr.. DOUGHERTY ATTACKED
ASSEMBLYAIAN REEVE DENIES COMAIIS-
SIONER'S STATEMENTS REGARDING
SUFFOLK WATER SUPPLY.

Assemblyman Willis A Reeve of Suffolk
County in letter to The Tribune contradicts
Water Commissioner Dougherty with reference
to what took place in the Mayors office on the
day that the city officials conferred with resi-
dents of Suffolk County concerning the repeal
OF the Burr bill. This measure prevents the
city from going to Suffolk County for water,
and Mr.. Dougherty and Chief Engineer De
Varona of the Brooklyn Water Department are
anxious for the repeal of the law. In a letter
to The Tribune Mr.. Reeve hints that Mr.
Dougherty is influenced by unworthy motives
in his attitude. and that he has mysterious
relationship to the so-called Crawford water
syndicate which has certain options on water
rights in Suffolk County. Mr.. Dougherty says
that this suggestion is absurd. Assembyman
Reeves letter to The Tribune is follows:
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir My attention has Just been called To the sta te-
days Tribune. The following occurs: AT recent
conference between her Suffolk County, repre-
at the Mayors office, these representatives, conceded
unanswerabie. They admitted BTooRiyn's scarcity
of water. and their own superfuity. They acknowl-
edged their arguments about the need Of a certain
quantity of fresh water for the oysters TO be ut
Dr. Robinson left the Mayors room they stated to
Mr.; De Narona and myself that if the people
tives had done to the arguments for the repeal of
% % idw We tst ] hSpe 80 10 0eerSoe IN r fSsI
of the error of their View and that the task was
The above statement is absolutely false. We
did not corcede that their arguments were un-
and save the reasons why they wrong. We
waste Of water. The New-York Times of Feb
THary said they are trying to carry water III i, =
they can get permanent supply, if they will set
@ to get temporary supply from suff6k County
The famous Blue Point oysters do need a GER
tain their delicate fiavor and We never said the
conTarI NGtner did We say our pfoPe % GGId M De 9e
Narona and Mr.. DouEherty. On the contrary,
buid her 6ermanent mem water supply take eight or
ten years to do it. they claim It will sooner than
to Them one by one AID the Mayor said. If such
Mr. DouEhcrty's arg Arguments @ and de- deduetion are as
untrue as his statement of facts When the inside
history of the Crawford water syndicate Is pub
lished, together with account OF the silent and
the present Water Commissioning. the people OF
Brooklyn will probably realize that IT Is time to
%&er %9E sGppy ina" 10 WILLIS A. REEv F
Member Of Assembly for Suffolk County
When Commissioner Dougherty was seen yes
terday, he said:
Mr. Dougherty reiterates all he asserted with
reference to the conversation he had with Mr..
Reeve and others in the Mayors office. and
fers to Chief Engineer De Varona. of Brooklyn,
for confirmation, ie confirmation is needed, Mr.
Reeves letter may be judged by its concluding
reference to a silent and mysterious influence
which urged the appointment of the present
Water Commissioner. Either Mr.. Reeve DR.
Robinson stated in the Mayors presence that II
openly asserted in Suffolk County that |
was the counsel for company which has been
securing water options and lands In that Coun-
ty, and the one who made the statement asked
me If such fact. ! very much amused
at the inquiry but Immediately said that IL
not true: that | was not counsel for any COM
pany Of any kind that directly indirectly
interested in securing options water rights in
Suffolk County or anywhere else. They asked
If did not own some lands in Suffolk County.
and l replied that did not. and that / was not
interested in lands water rights y any sort
whatsoever. They had the privilege OF inteTTo-
eating me further. l think that my demeanor
that occasion indicated that l regarded their
questions more amusing than irritating"