The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-03
MAYOR CALLSFOR MORE WATER
ASKS STft BEN COZ NTl DINERS
TO MIR NEU lORh'S BILI.
one Dir, summer would Mean OanSer'
TWO Distress and Three water taii'-
Inc Congressman Easseit Promises
Aid From the Upstate Legislators.

dinner Of the men from Steuben county at
Demonico's last night and asked them 20
use their influence among their friends up
the State to secure new water supply
for New York The Mayor pictured New
Yorks difficulties IN regard TO water
supply IA transccnd,ng in Importance any
question now in the public eye. He said
that with three dry summers in succession
New York with its present facilities. would
be in the throes Of water famine too hor-
rible to contemplate
The earnestne-s with which the Mayor
talked on the subject made a deep impress
sion on his hosts. Congressman j Sloat
Fassett. after the Mayor sat down. said
that while water was a strange thing TO
ask from Steuben county men. he could
promise that Steubeu county would line up
behind the Mayor in trying to secure for
New York such pressing need
The dinner was full of fun making. Tho
MAYORS we're among the few serious re-
marks indulged in Edward Hassett pre-
sided. and with him at the guests table
were, besides the Mayor, Congress
Fassett Recorder Thomas f. Rogers OF
Corning Col. Jim Jones late of the Aquar-
ium, S S. Taylor T. p. Gilman, Brant (.
Fox, James l.. Grogan and Walter E. Hodg-
man The Mayor was about the only man
present who didn't hail from Steuben. but
he claimed kinship IN the fact that ne was
an adopted citizen Of the metropolis.
we who have come 10 New YORK as
adopted citizens. said Mr.. Mcclellan,
whether from Steuben or Schoharie, or,
as in my case. from Connecticut via Penn
certainly just as loyal to our CITY as those
born here We who are able to view New
York broadly, TO compare her from the
Eont OF view Of Orange, EsseV county. or
Hornelsville. are able to Judge her needs
and necessities probably more impartiaily,
more fairly. than those who have never
had these advantages
There is too much disposition on the
part Of some of our brethren here in New
York to say that there Is a need forevery-
thing that IL right | know that there
is a moral need that is very important.
] know that this - a very grave need. but
material necessities afv Just as important
as moral needs
Il cannot refuse TO speak about one OF
these that is greater than all others.
ask you TO tell those you lett behind IN
Steuben that we are fighting for the most
important proposition that has come before
us in our history. For five years the city
OF New York has been cropping intelligent!y
and with vigOr 10 meet situation which
il bound TO confront us sooner or later
That situation is the scarcity Of water
Five years ago the engineers told us
that unless something was done and done
quickly New York would be without water
Five years have gone by and nothing has
been done Now one dry summer would
cause US inconvenience two dry summers
would cause us great distress and three
dry summers would result in water famine
almost roo dreadful 10 contemplate.
Il have caused to be introduced at Albany
a bill giving New DIRK q new water supply
have no pride in is authorship. II is found
home rule, second, speedy action, and third,
non-partl-anShip. If those are followed
don't care how the bill If changed as long
as it gives New York rapid solution Of this
pressing question
we are now menaced with a danger
that appeals to all of US no matter what
our politics That is a State Commission.
| have no disposition to Criticlse those who
favor IT, They are. no ooubt influenced
by the highest motives ] have also no
doubt That they are mistaken But you
gentlemen can do this city good by telling
your friends what we want
Tell them that New York has no dis
position TO interfere with the nights of any
county OF this state. Tell them that New
York pays ~ size goes and will pay for any
have got TO have relief at once We can't
afford to wait until "A State commission
decides whether we really need water or
not Tell them We don't want Republican
exploitation and much less Democratic
exploitation.
and nothing else Tell them that you
are standing behind the Mayor. who is
dong the best he knows how, according
to the light Of God and the best that is in
him 10 protect the city from exploitation
by ito enemies and TO save the health, yes,
the lives Of our women and children"
The Mayor had received a great cheer TO
start with. but it was nothing TO that which
the diners gave him when he finished his
stirring appeal. They rose up, led by one
enthusiastic person who yelled Three
cheers for the Mayors ideas, and gave
Congressman Fassett, who followed Mr.
Mcclellan. said he had taken a great in
terest in what the Mayor had said lie was
glad he said. for Instance. that the Mayor
had owned up TO being real New Yorker
from the outside.
New York snid Mr.. Fassett. does not
produce great men; she adopts them. Out
Of the dreadful hurly-burly strenuosity Of
country life some men are found who are
not strong enough TO DO business AT home
Laughter These, by force Of lateral
pressure and internal expansion, find their
way TO New York and become the kings Of
business and Of politics.
Some Of us at home take TO life insurance,
the last resort OF the pulpit and the bar:
most Of US take to New York Laughter
II IL only Just TO New York TO say that In
spite OF MS she is the queen Of the world
! am glad her Mayor understands the great
fecunA country.
Il was a little puzzled though at this new
cry of New York for more water I've
been accustomed for years to the cry for
more drink but il wasn't water. Laugh
ter They wanted Sunday opening, the
Continental Sabbath, but not water. I am
surprised that the Mayor made an appeal
10 Steubenc ounty for water unless he thinks
you can spare It more than any other county.
Laughter But. speaking seriously, Mr..
Mayor, all we folks want TO know IA what
you really want and the efforts OF our best
men will be behind you in trying to see that
you get it." Cheers
Recorder Rogers told about the Steuben
farmers II they were 10 step in this
room now." he said they would think
they had gone to their last reward y
Laughter And he told a story of two
Irishmen who got a room in Third avenue
after they landed, and We're walked up
the first night by the fra engine going
past.
Get up. Mike, get mp and pray, said
one Of them. They're movin' he'll. Two
loads just went by
President Tint Of the Board ~ Fduca-
ton told some Of the Steubenors about the
school system here.