The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-05-30
IMPORTANT
MEASURE
The Passaic River Flood Dist
rict Bill VIII Work Injus
tice to Morristown.
A MENACE TO PUBLIC HEALTH.

Morristown, N j., May "a, 1905.
EDITOR CHRoN1cLE.:
Dear Sir:
/ desire to cali the attention Of the
people Of Morris county but more
particularly of those Of Morristown to
an Act Of the last Legislature i'll
creating the Passaic River Flood
District Few realize the import
ance Of this act and fewer know any.
thing whatever about it. 1T purposes
to permit'a commission to dam .up a
section of the Passaic river in the
neighborhood Of Little Falls. to hold
the storm waters in time of food and
the area to be covered by this artif-
cial lake is to be about twenty miles
in length by four miles in width. Now
just consider the conditions to public
health that would be produced by the
hlling and emptying Of this vast reser-
yoir, for to be effective it must be-
kept practically empty, and after Be-
ing filled must be discharged as rapid
ly as possible in order to meet an
emergency in case of a recurrence of
the flood; that such vast tract Of
land at times entirely covered by
water and again exposed to the heat
Of the sun would be detrimental to
health, Is not difficult to understand.
Now as to the cost the commission is
authorized practically to expend any
thing, provided it does not exceed the
benefits and as they are not controlled
by any rule in determining benefits,
they can readily show on paper that
the benefits far exceed the cost Of con- I.
struction. This commission has the
right to assess individuals mHnicipali-
ties and parts Of municipalities
The flood district in Morris county
starts at Stanley, following the Lack
awanna Railroad through Chatham.
Madison, Fl0rham, Convent. Morris
town and Morris Plains, thence along
the line between Hanover and Rocka-
way to the Boonton township line,
thence along the line between Boom
ton and Pequann0c to the boundary
line between ROckaWay and Pequar-
noe to the Passaic county line.
Now, where in the name of common
sense can any benefit accrue to Morris
county and more particularly to Nor
ristoWn that the taxpayers should be
called upon to bear any part of the ex-
pense In saving the lower Passaic from
being flooded Would the taxpayers
Of this lower Passaic be willing to pay
any part Of the damage OccaSiOned by
the overflow Of the Whippany river
along the low parts of MorriStown?
And will this proposed dam prevent
the overflow of the Whippany at Nor
ristown in time of food
That the cost Of this gigantic un-
dertaking will run into the millions is
apparent, but just how many millions
will depend largely upon the endur-
ance and patience of the people.
| am informed that the city of New
ark proposes to institute litigation to
test the constitutionality of the act
and it would seem the part "Of wis
dom" for Morristown to aid in deter
mining this by proper action on the
part Of our . Mayor and Board of AL
dermen." 1t might be well also that
action be taken by some of our citi-
zens to determine the procedure best
suited to the occasion, so far as they
may be personally concerned, perhaps
by organization to meet the issues as
they come up. / shall be glad to have
you publish this communication as
the best method Of reaching the most
people in the county I; it is very SER
ious question and calls for prompt ac-
tion.
Respectfully,
u. HURTzIG,
80 Morris avenue.