New-York tribune., 1905-04-21
DISCUSS THE WATER BILL.
STATEMENT FROM GUY.
GOUernOr Erpects SteUenS's Commit
tee to Settle Lighting Problem.
Ipr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE,

Albany, April 2O-Considerable light was shed
on tne tangle over Mayor McClellan's water bill
to-day when Governor Higgins declared that in
MS judgment New-York City would suffer
serious hardship by the elimination Of the sec
ton providing for the municipal production. use
ana sale OF power, because he expected that the
stevens investigating committee would provide
solution to the lighting question much more
! speedy than any that might come out Of the un-
amended Mayors bill Governor Higgins said:
Mayor Mcclellan told me that it would take
from eight to ten years to complete the work
provided for in his bill. even If the clause allow
/ Is di1s new York City to manufacture power was
aHowed and 1 believs New-York wants some
sooner than that. Mayor Mcclellan told me.
further, that the first thing be wanted was water
Tor New-York City, and that the other PROPOSE
uoh would follow. Several legislatures will in
tervene before this work could possibly reach
point where the lighting proposition might
| Moreover, assume that when the Stevens IN
| Vesugating committee reports it will take care
| OF anything in the lighting situation that re-
| Quires remedy.
Governor Higgins was asked if any individual
| or number of representatives Of any corporate
or other interest had been to see him about this
| lighting provision of the water bill. urging its
| elimination. and he denied it atty. When asked
about detail supervision of the city water supply
| plans by the State commission created by the
Agnew bill, the Governor said that this COM
mission would not deal with details but was
created primarily to protect the locality from
any unwarranted and too destructive invasion
by New-York City for water purposes.
Assistant Corporation Counsel Guy. who has
spent much time here for the purpose Of watch
ing New-York City water legislation gave out
a statement to-day in which he describes the
progress Of these measures since the opening
Of the session. Speaking OF the power utiliza-
ton provision in the Mayors bill. he sad
This provision was regarded by the Mayor
one Of the most vital features Of his bill. mas
much II furnished a ready solution OF the
problem OF municipal lighting without involv-
ing the city in the great expense which would
accompany the effort to establish municipal op-
GRAFTON Of lighting plants under other condi-
tionS.
dUction OF electric light. already belonging to
the city in competition with water supply pur-
poses which could be utilized at e minimum
expense, with great benefit to citizens Of New
bill in the Senate all Of the newspapers called
attention to the beneficial feature Of the bill,
and it was impossible that any one at all con-
versant with legislative affairs could have been
ignorant of this provision OF the bill
Senator Guy calls attention to the fact that
at the various committee hearings ap-
peared objecting 10 this clause IN the Mayors
bill. presumably" he continues. because there
could be no honest objection TO the city thus
utilizing property for which It, under the terms
Of the bill. would have to pay full value The
Governor disclaiuled any right to dictate TO the
legislature, and upon being requested by the
representative OF the city to advise the legis-
lature as to the course he deemed proper. stated
that he thought the TompIins bill and the
Agnew bill should both be passed as companion