New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-15
SIGNS SMITH WATER BILL.
EXTRA SESSION TALK.
OdeH Willing to Approve Bill If
Property Rights Are Secured.
[Bv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

Albany. May 14.-Governor Odell tonight
signed the ]. T. Smith bill. excluding New-York
City from certain Dutchess County streams
which the Burr-F Freeman Commission, appointed
by Mayor Low, recommended should be taken to
increase the water supply OF the city. The
Governor also took action on the Niagara Power
Company bill. but announced that he would not
make this action public until tomorrow night
The Governor in memorandum signifed his
willingness to call an extra session OF the legis-
lature. If need De- to provide New-York City
with water II is generally believed that the
action on the Niagara bill will be unfavoraole.
The Governor gave that impression to friends
yesterday, and Assemblyman Thompson and
several othec Lockport people. who talked with
him on the matter to-day. afterward confirmed
this ipnoress!on.
Governor Odell late tonight made public his
memoranda on the ]. T Smith bill His signing
of the bill announced by mistake. and as
a result he decided to give out the memoranda
In explaining his reasons for signing the bill
the Governor clearly intimates his readiness 70
call a special session of the legislature for the
passage of an act granting New-York City the
power to acquire water rights in this region II
such legislation Is drafted - To provide for
the proper protection of the rights OF the
Dutchess County interests. After sunrna rizing
the statements made with reference 10 the effect
of the proposed extension OF the New-Hork
water system on Dutchess County and express
ing the belief that it would result in ruin and
devastation. Governor Odel says:
am constrained therefore. to believe that the
h IS wise IN SO iar fers 9 II mean not those of
corporations. but of the humble home dweller VINO
has perhaps all his savings invested in a home,
representing in many cases the result Of years OF
toI In giving nv approval, therefore 10 this
measure. do with no other object IN view thaIl
this and reserve such authority is in me vested
to convene the legislature extra session. If the
citizens OF New-York so desire In order TO permit mt
object of securing an additional water supply 70
vested rights which feel bound TO do In siyins
this measure my approval - -.
the great municipality at the mouth of the Hudson
are OF greater importanGf perhaps; SO Iar as num- I'M
State. and were satisfied that even this great loss
New-York city 1 should not hesitate IN disapprov-
difference of opinion anywhere as 70 the necessity
OF contributing TO the health and the comfort OF
De immediate necessity for this Improvement.
True it is that the engineers estimate that within
Cessity for the utilization of this watershed. There
tSn S { I no I th ~ III ane,aps are
INCORPORATED Il part of the law, thus making
thus remove ali fear in the minds OF those who are
most directly interested in the watersheds of
There has been much talk of the Ramapo Water
terests Of the citizens Of New-YorI II win 5e re,
memhered, perhaps. that among my first official
Eir baG beSr epsnied 70 tbis cSmranV II now
than an IdiyidWa It's tights are not pTeSernnsnt
the city, if there any rights existing. OF which
| have grave doubt in the same manner and fOi-
lowing the same procedl re as would apply In any
OF this there certainly can be doubt. because
authority and sanction of a former admnistrat ton
erTtoPv m nGW 9nfhg hTerore R is gained or lost BY
this bill so far as the Raniapo company is con-
cerned. The rights will be in existence after
antees until a future session of the legislature
such immunity as son % seeTre not as
sions which are promised; but for which there Is
New"York to secure even this watershed if II con-
tents itself with what it eAms 10 be Its desire.
for surplusage only.
The Smith Water bill of the meas
ures which provoked bitter comment during
the session 1t was introduced by Assemhlyman
Smith OF Dutchess County. and excluded New
York City from the water systems of the streams
of Wappinger's Falls and Fishkill Creek. The
friends OF the measure declared that the taking
of this water would ruin the villages situated
along the banks OF the streams and dependent
upon the water used IN local mills for their
existence. The bill passed through both
branches of the legislature largely on the
strength of the appeal to the rural representa-
tives and received large majorities despite the
objection of New-York members.
On the part of the city of NewYork the bill
was denounced in several public hearings by the
Corporation Counsel by city officials Of the
present and of the Low administration and by
representatives of a large number Of public
bodies including the Merchants Association and
the Citizens Union. Assistant Corporation Coun-
sci Guy made the charge which was reiterated
by others that the bill would confer benefits
on "Ramapo." and drawn in its interests.
Practically the entire opposition TO the meas
came from New-York City. and major
ity Of the upstate legislators without regard
TO party voted for 1t, despite the protests made
at public hearings and on the floor of both
branches OF the legislature /
The Governor gave a hearing on the matter.
Continued second page.
Civilization has long needed aperient that does