New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-08
MAYOR PLEADSFOR WATER
Wants the Citys Sentiment Obtained
ON the Smith Bill.

At the meeting Of the aldermen yesterday a
message from Mayor Mcclellan was read asking
that the sentiment OF the people of the city be
certained regarding the Smith water supply law.
safeguarding Duchess County streams. which the
legislature passed and Governor Odel signed
against this city's protest.
Alderman Mccall interrupted the reading with a
suggestion that the question be referred TO the
Committee on Water Supply buc several voices de-
manded that 1t be read. and President Fornes in
structed the clerk 10 .OnuEue. Mr.. Mccall renewed
MS motion when the i.aiing over. but accepted
amendments by Aldermen Wirth and Goodman that
the message and the bin critic;ses be printed for
the information OF the aldermen and that the
Committee on Water Supply be instructed TO hold
puohc hearings TO ascertain public sentiment AL
derman DoulI is chairman Of the committee
The message says in part
Assuming for the sake OF argument that the Ian
constitutional its effect viii be- TO eSchde Ne NeR Is
SoFH Cry from acquiring by condemnation any
present resources. -"
The principal feature to which direct vour at
tenton is stated In these words; In giving INV an
pIoEa' therefore, 10 this measure. / do So with
authority as is in me vested. convene the leSis
IttuEe In extra session. If the citizens OF New
a IneasuTe mat viii accomplish the object OF Sc
Y ork additional water supply to the city OF New
| am not convinced that an extra session Of the
legislature which would consist OF the same men
VINO passed this measure. would result In relief
IRON me oppression OF this law. But. even IL IL
survey OF the Governor. whose fixed opinion. as /
tbf1 t iio nus nsm9r%ndIm is opposed 10 any
t6re. mat hope OF relief must be deferred until
next years session.
am loath. however. to permit my personal mis-
6nMtnss as 10 the result TO interfere with any
enort on the part of the people OF this city 10
an Cxyro ie present SITUATION and would ASK for
for the language of the Governors memorandum
OF session the contingency If the citizens
OF hos
t,upleu growth which has necessitated a vast
1 7,oT t year after year or the area of settle
an an average annual increase of population of one
water supply is, therefore. one OF primary inn
20 anu II Is our duty not only TO minister
VISION VISION for the future. and as the acquisition of
r,, fSs'4! LCt al increased water supply generally
require years OF EFFORT. delay In such a matter
stand now. the city is dependent TO great extent
up Upon Ine continuance Of an abundant water sup
ha, t at any time undergo any considerable dim
fufep 'U casmty Su9ig 9tt Years The city would
" Win the development OF the Borough of Brook
be augmented By connection with the system which
Low Low supplies the boroughs OF Manhattan and the
ibronX ana the welfare Of the Borough of Brook
gi GeIEands that no condition should be permitted
supply of brooklyn. chiefly because OF tho physical
foTmatGn of Long Island is furnished BY wells
ent 1t is to an extent adequate but the day is fast
dgee sufficient tor the needs of that growing part
OF city
II our growth for the twenty-five years con-
uhues as II has during the last quarter OF a CEN
erSwI6b ene nqCsIns point To- even greater
water to be had from all the available streams
viii then present Itself Of supplying addTtonai
%a'er from the seemingly only other source OF sup
This probably will not require the attention OF tha
cure other Available sources in the mean time.
me Importance of a reservoir connection with
of our supply system lies in the fact thar such
Of W G. Sny Il cona Be- a Gss g
tension to draw from streams beyond that county
OF the water there obtanable would not justify the
expense OF independent aqueduct these
waters. it is asserted by competent authorities
be conminged with the waters OF Duchess
BY what 1 have said do not wish to convex the
could occur water famine in the sense Of a Total
should the withdrawal of the supply of water for
nerod o 6r pc be forced upon US for
loss IN money 70 so many OF our popIaton would
would recover from its conseauence Gears before
th he ere meyer has been disposition the of
other sections Of the State and in all the proceed
QUESTION land and water rights for the eitVs
water supply, the expenses to the city have been
able and just
Furthermore. the precedent of this law IS per
nicious 1t gives Duchess County practically a |
monopoly and there seems to be reason why |
might not fairly apply for the same exemption IF
such should be the case. be impossible for
the city OF NewIork to take by condemnation any
properly for this important public purpose. and il
would be LETT at the mercy, not of persons for |
whose protection this bill ostensbIv Is DESIGNED |
but the owners of the water right who could sell
as they saw nj, without any consideration for |
those who might be consequently Injured by the |
withdrawal of the power from mills employing the |
waters. As a matter OF fact the measure resfsains
the city of New-YOrk but does not protect The |
persons in whose interest it is pretended 10 have
been enacted. The city or any other person or /
rights in Duchess County at the owners h1 nr, or
and the people of the vicinity. for whom such SYM
patty seemed to be displayed by the pronlofers az
the measure. could not prevent the sale and would
not share penny in its profit.
If there is to be a modifica ton of this measure
by this suggested supplemental legislation Ii VIII
be useless to the City or New-York IL IL creates a
new system of claims for damage. and il seems to
me that we'll established law, sanctioned by cen
turtles of application. should be chansed 10
the detriment of the City of New-York alone
The board voted unanimously to approve the re-
port of the finance committee In favor of the an