New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-29
rgF NEW WATER SCHEME.

Commissioner Oakley's new water supply
scheme formulated by his acting chief engineer,
Mr. Birdsan, is really mere revival of an OLD
one, nut forward by the Low administration
1t will he recalled that Mayor Lows commas
sion reported in favor of getting water from
both sides of the Hudson at and above the
Highlands. 1t was first 10 be taken from the
east side. to wit, from Duchess County. and
afterward the system was to be extended to the
west side the EsopuS and other regions Now
Commissioner Oakley drops the east side part
of the scheme, apparently frightened off by the
Duchess County opposition, and proposes TO
go directly to the west side of The river. That
is to say. he would pass by the nearer and go
to the more distant sources.
1t may he that this is wise. But it will hardly
escape attention that the city government is
thus put il the position of failing to make
good" its promise of fair treatment to Duchess
County. 1t will be remembered that when
there was so much cutlery about the Smith
water bill and the water famine which it was
said to threaten TO this city the Governor made
it clear that, if New-YOrk would give a binding
guarantee of the fair treatment to Duchess
County which it had Informally promised. he
would gladly take the necessary steps for secur-
ing to the city the use of the Duchess County
streams. That an eminently reasonable
proposition. If the city fails to act upon ii, as
we have hitherto pointed out. it practically adj
mits that il either would not or could not have
treated Duchess County fairly, and that thus
the people Of that region would have been de-
spoiled and oppressed. as they feared had not
the Smith water bill been passed.
There are several other features of the scheme
which seem to need attention, eucidaton and
perhaps some more definite assurance than any
we have yet seen. One is that of our old &C
quaintancc. RamapO. Mr. Oakley proposes TO
get water from the Ramapo region. Options on
all the rights there have been secured by the
Ramapo company, which once tried 10 raid the
city treasury in so barefaced a manner. Now,
since il is proposed to pass by a source that is
free from RamapO, and go to one which RAM
apo controls it would be interesting to knew
what tribute the city will have to pay 10 Ram
apo for the surrender Of its options. We do
not see that item explicitly set down in the
published estimates of cost. Another has to
do with the indemnities to be paid TO residents
of the region whence water is TO be taken.
Such indemnities for land and for water rights,
have footed up pretty total in Westchester
and Putnam counties There are parts Of the
region which 1t is now proposed TO invade in
which very heavy claims for iudemnities are
practically sure 10 he made How many mill
ions is Ncw-York likely 10 be compelled to pay
on that score? Nor is the matter Of the four
teen billion gallons Bronx reservoir 10 be over
looked. The construction of such a reservoir in
such place is likely to be a costly Job, some
what beyond the three millions set down for il.
1t would be wrong 10 put needless obstruction
OF Encouragement in the way of the plan, for
it is certain that more water will soon be need
ed for New York. and il may he that this is
the best source from which to obtain ii. We
are inclined 10 think ii is one of the best
sources. But the experience Of this city with
the New Croton Aqueduct, with the great Cor
nell Dam. with the Jerome Park Reservoir and
with the matter Of adiudicaung claims in West
chester County suggests the eminent desirable
ity of reckoning the cost Of the new undertake
ing, of tying contractors down 10 strict terms
and Of doing the whole work with promptness
and businesslike methods, far beyond what has
hitherto been done by our happy go-lucky mu-
nicipal administrators.