New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-29
STATE SHOULD BUY NOW.
SAYS CANAL REPORT.
Wrong, Says Board of Trade, for
.dny Company to Get Water Rights.

The Newark Board OF Trade at largely attend
I'd meeting last night, received and acted on the
snenaed report Of a special committee appointed
unoer a resolution OF the board last spring TO
represent the board before the State Commission
sppointsd by the Governor, al the request OF the
board 10 consider and report upon the whole ques-
ton OF aforrfs Canal abandonment The speclS4
committee made IT'S first report AT meeting last
month and action was postponed for two weeks
ubeu again the report was referred back 10 the
committee with suggestions for amendment
THE original report only the local view OF ,he
question and omitted 10 notice two important
local Interests namely. the future water supply OF
Newark and the construction OF a railroad along
the canal right OF way. which would necessi'~pe
the bridging o. Brcad-st. in the heart OF the DUST
ness centre There was also nothing said about
public compensation for the valuable franchise OF
a trolley road Ia the canal bed in Essex ana Huo-
son counties. Criticism Of the original report
pointed that il practically ignored great state
interests that. moreover. II was prlncipaly I'D
the interest OF the Public Service Corporation
whose president. Thomas n. McCarter. appeared at
shs FIRST meeting and made an elaborate address In
favor OF the adoption OF the report.
CHANGES IN AMENDED REPORT.
In preparing the amended report Chairman Plaut
of the special committee received suggestions from
various sources and the result is report radically
different from the original one All reference TO the
Public Service Corporation and the trolley In
ferests has been carefully eliminated The report
takes its stand for abandoning the canal as a
the interests involved and the uses 10 which the
canal bed shall be put with reference 10 the water
rights in the Passaie watershed, and the reEer-
sionary rights OF former owners. On the Who4e q
broad view is taken Of the subject State owner
ship by anticipating the charter option or
State purchase D valuation in 1873 is recommend
ed as Just to all interests concerned and
q necessary act OF public policy II was
understood in the meeting that the Public service
Corporation not unfavorable to the recon-
rnencation for State purchase and had In fact IN
dorsed the suggestion. With certain reservations
also the canal Iessees would consent such as rail-
road ownership OF the canal basin at Jersey City.
Il was privately intimated that the new abandon
ment' bill TO be introduced in the legislature this
winter would be framed on lines to permit me
State purchase the canal and leave the way clear
for the transportation companies to get what they
want other than the valuable water rights ana
control Of tie lakes The amended report repeats
the Introductory passages Of the original report
containing general remarks and then proceeds to
say:
EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT
We would recommend that the board endeavor
through them upon the legislature OF TINS SIate;
PURPOSES through the city OF Newark would be
disastrous 10 property interests and highly Gan
We would recommend that the board advise
baoe the he aSsoate dispol Of this prOpsTy
coTpera don without reserving the right for the
proper officials Of the city Of Newark to determine
we would recommend that the board urge that
careful consideration should be given by the honor
able commission 10 all matters or questions "heIe-
are Involved and that the same should DE amply
We would advocate that the best interests of
Newark Will be served by the immediate abandon
made use Of for transportation purposes. to be
operated by some power other than steam. -,
In treating this question as one IN Whicn the
nizes that any legislative action taken upon the
matters considered by II VIII not De OF illlSieSt
alone to the inhabitants Of the city OF FEE ark
residents and property owners OF the several coun-
solution OF the questions involved viii affect the
welfare Of the entire STATE -.,,.aa q. ,,-or,o+o
the Industrial interests Of the city of Newark wo
ra sst tat view Of O questions Of than local
importance and that tie interests OF our cry vii
advance the welfare Of the entire State.
STATE OWNERSHIP RECOMMENDED.
For this reason your committee recommends that
any change in the use of the canal property shall
Under the company's charter the State may in
1923 acquire the canal property AT a ialr Ya!ua-
fion. The company desires 10 abandon navigation
Sc sS On aoPditoh a. that ss PROB
FOR which il would otherwise have 10 wait twenty
years Under the supervision of the State the
and not continue subject 10 corporate interests.
ana Should not have sufiicent time in which to con-
slider the value q ne canal property TO The State
In the opinion OF your committee. all of the water
rights controlled by this company, by private
indiyidqals Should upon he abs sa Of the
such OF its municipalities need a further
supply Of pure and potable water.
In our opinion Il would be q grievous wrong ia
the citizens Of this State TO permit these nvaua
rapidly incTeSsihs population % in then the ne eaf
future certainly require this only remaining
Of supply.
REASONS FOR STAND TAKEN
Yot1r committee in conclusion desi~e 70
sn this matter: Because the canal has been men
and public nuisance for the past decade and
viii become greater one with each passing year:
because its effect upon adjacent property has been
TO depreciate values along its entire and
has thereby been a source OF loss and burden
upon the tax paying public; because the canal has
served barrier in the construction Of sewers
public work; because il has hindered the solution
q track elevation and is said 70 be the only OBJ
strucuon 70 the completion Of plans for the doing
away with grade crossings on the Lackawanna
eeNd DC applied for the transfer Of freights. and
we believe that the results in benefits to manu-
son 10 urge its abandonment; because NE be,ie s
that the State should itself acquire the canal
uses 10 which It Is hereafter 70 be devoted and
reserve TO itself the advantages and profits TO ac
controlled by the company should be forever Sc
cured to the citizens Of the State for their own use
Your committee respectfully submit this report
and earnestly request the Board Of Trade to put
cure the abandonment Of this canal and "a ad
the State p'-Se2SiOn OF
DISCUSSION OF REPORT.
When the committee report had been read for
uer Senator James Smith. 1r. spoke briefly in ad
EOcacy % its adoption the most practical soIp
ton OF the canal problem Joseph CouIt followed
aud deprecated tie idea OF State ownership Roa
s Tso4ousy Sseosedg the he r n6s
The lakes OF ,Se%-JeIsey ana the waters there