New-York tribune., 1905-04-26
LIGHTING CLAUSE DROPPED
WATER BILLS REPORTED.
AgnGc and Mayors Measures
Changed Il Fight Promised.
IBY rELEGaA7u 10 raz rr5arxr.1


Albany, April 2,-The Senate cities Commit
tee to-day definitely reported Mayor McCIellan's
Water bill with the provision permitting New
York City to the water impounded in its
dams for manufacturing electric power for
lighting omitted while the Senate Finance Com
rlittee. after rather friSid hearing and MANY
objections to the bill urged by members OF the
committee. reported the Agnew state Water
Commission bill. with single amendment. re-
ducinS the expense allowance Of the commits
sion from S40OOO to S2OOO0 The Governor re-
affirmed his approval Of this bin. but declined
70 venture any comment on it. With reference
to the Mayors bill he was. however. much more
outspOken
There are those who think he said, whether
Justly or Unjustly, I cannot say, that the Mayor
is not sincere about this measure IN that ne
wants the bill more for power than for water
He declined TO indicate his personal view on
this point. Among the New-YorES City RepUb-
Hcans there is growing opposition the elm
inatiOn of the power provision from the Mayors
bill, and several have strongly advised against
it. including Assemblyman Agnew.
Il shall stand with the Mayors bill in its
unamended FORM said Mr., Wainwright Of
Westchester. "and I regard myself as pledged
to do this a result of our conference. in which
the city's representative made material conces-
sions to the representatives OF counties affected
among them the right asked for in my own biIi
TO permit Westchester County to tap New-York
City mains
Moreover. I know of no reason for the pro-
posed change. regard the position taken by
The Tribune editorially on this question as the
right one-nameIy. that New-York City should
be allowed to do anything IT chooses with it's
own property in the way Of using it for lighting
purposes. It seems to me that this would settls
the lighting problem for all time. am not in
sympathy with the amendments and shall vote
against them if the question is raised"
Assemblyman Agnew said he would vote sim
ilarly if there was test vote.
At the hearing before the Senate Finance
Committee Senator 1IaIby criticised the bill
sharply. Other members spoke about certain
sections which they did not favor. Ex-senator
Charles L. Guy, representing Mayor Mcclellan.
was asked about his position on the bill.
The city does not ask for this bill" he said.
1T regards it as unnecessary, and about as use
full the fifth wheel to a wagon. but it does
not oppose it, if the majority of the legislature
desires to insist on State control. It Is the
Governor who has insisted on the state COM
mission proposition We had rather have the
Mayors bill as 1t stands. for it stand alone.
Moreover, we do strongly object to the amend
ment in the other committee eliminating from
the bill that clause which let's US use the power
we can develop from our water works for light
ing purposes We believe that when we buy and
pay for property We should be allowed to use II
/ as we choose"
I'D like TO know what locality does want this
bill said Senator OTaIby 1T IS opposed by the
state Health Department as stripping them Of
all their powers"
Ulster County was urged favoring the bill.
which reported subsequently with a re-
duced appropriation. The Cities COMMITTEES
amended the Mayors bill in a slight degree, but
without objection the part Of the city rep
resentatives, and then reported it TO the SEN
ate. but with the power section left out. despite
the protests of Mayor Mcclellan.
At the close of the meeting of the Senate Cities
Committee Senator McCarren attempted to slip
in innocent little amendment which would
have taken care of RamapO interests in counties
where water is taken for the city by providing
that it should not affect power options already
obtained but the trick was detected and voted
down aniInOusIE.