New-York tribune., 1905-01-13
WATER LEGISLATION.

serious situation 1t is imperatively in need
of an increased water supply and seeks leg
islation to secure ii. In different counties of
the State to which it would naturally turn
Tor relief movements have sprung up TO ex-
clude the city from the use of streams and
lakes. For several years the extension of the
Brooklyn system TO Suffolk County has been
forbidden. and last year law was passed
shutting us out from Dutchess County. Now
a bill is brought forward to prohibit any en-
largement of the waterworks in Westchester
County, and threats are heard that similar
measures will be presented on behalf Of Put
nam County and some OF the counties in the
Catskill region. If this goes on, the metropo-
lis may be shut off from all available water
supplies.
The Mayors bill for water supply develop
ment appears to be in most respects carefully
considered measure. It's passage would repeal
the Smith law of last year and give the city
the right to take water in the Hudson Valley
without conserving the supply for local pur-
poses. Attempts viii be made by amendment
TO exclude Dutchess County from its operation,
and if such a movement once gets started
there is no telling where 1t will end. There are
some suspicious that matters are being en-
gineered In behalf Of RamapO, so as TO force
the city by a process of exclusion to make use
of the options owned by the Ramapo company.
There may be something in this But it is also
beyond doubt that many of the inhabitants Of
the Hudson Valley feel that they have prop
erty rights and business interests which would
be injured by the appropriation of their water
courses TO the needs of the city. We fully be-
lieve that the requirements Of the three mill
ion people here should be held paramount to
any such interests. The inhabitants Of the
watersheds should not be permitted to stand
In the way of great public improvement es-
sentiaI to the welfare of half the people in the
State. On the other hand, the city should not
be allowed TO invade their homes and take
water without protecting every one of them
against injury. direct or indirect, so far as it
is physically possible to do so, and making due
compensation to all those whose rights must
be disturbed.
The failure of the Mayor last year to take
advantage of the opportunity TO enter Dutchess
County with reasonable stipulations is respon-
sible for much of the trouble now confronting
the city. The DutcheSs County people COM
planned that the taking of their water would
destroy power, close mills and throw out of
work people who under the law would have
no possible claim to compensation for their
losses The New-York engineers promised that
they would conserve the waters, use only the
surplus which now goes to waste. and disturb
nobody except those whose property was di-
rectly taken and paid for. In signing the Smith
bill Governor Odell pointed out that this prom
se was In no way binding, but that, if the city
authorities would make it an enforceable stipula-
ton which would protect the Dutchess County
people, he would call a special session of the
legislature and try to give them access to
Dutchess County on the terms which they
professed willingness to make. This the city
authorities mistakenly refused to do. If the
talk about using surplus waters and not in
juring uncompensated local interests is sin
cere, ii ought TO be possible even now, either
through amendment Of the Mayors bill or In
some other form, to secure access to all terri
tory desired, with guarantees for the protec-
ton Of the people in those territories. New
York does not want to do injustice to anybody,
and If its authorities will accept full safe
guards for rural interests we do not believe 1t
possible that even the most extreme prejudice
can stand up against its necessities. The best
way to solve the present menacing problem is
by striving for agreement instead Of trying to
ride roughshod over anybOdy's rights, however
small.