New-York tribune., 1905-01-16
THE WATER SITUATION.
NO INMEDIATE RELIEF.
Upstate Likely to Conlbine-Hope
in Higgins's Viescs.
IBx TELEGRAPH TO THE TR-BUNEl

ready before Il the measure, drawn by the NC
Clellan administration. designed TO provide
commission clothed with extraordinary powers
rot merely TO make surveys. b"t also 10 con-
derln land, construct dams and aqueoucs 10
.-enerate AID sell electric power and TO do q
wide range Of things. some essential, others uh-
exalrpled adjuncts 10 providing water supply
This Is The starting point IN the legislative ac-
lion on New-York City's part But no sooner
was this bin introduced than the Dutchess
County interests, which had secured the passage
of the bin excluding New-York City from Its
streams. announced that they would oppose this
,neasure as repeating the Smith law Of last ses-
sion. and would al least insist on saving clause
preserving that statute
Then. with equal promptness. Assemolyrnan
kpgar. Of westchester. announced that he had
fn preparation bin which would repeal the old
Webster law that gave New-York City the right
- condemn land in Westchester and Putnam
counties and that he was also contemplating
n law which would be modelled exactly on the
smith bill, but would apply 10 Putnam ana
Westchester counties as the Smith law did TO
Duchess At this the representatives, OF ulster
and Columbia counties began 10 prick up their
ears. and IL is 3 safe statement that they are
consulting with their constituents with refer
ence 10 measures protecting Esopus and Cats
Kin Creeks. TO go no further. In plain words
she cltv's measure has been the signal for all
--erresentatives n available watersheds at least
IN those near al hand. 10 take alarm and rush
The introduction OF measures which would leave
-lew-York City little but the ocean and Lake
Ontario as available sources, for Lake Cham
plain Is now, as a result OF pulp mill pollution
regarded as out Of the question
Moreover. 10 judge frsm the discussion among
legislators last week. It would be useless to at
fernpt 10 disguise the fact that these bills II
vii DcCduSe
rhere Is az unwritten law that the upstate
LEGISLATORS shall stand together against New
York city for common advantage protection
IS the word they use. Not few prominent ana
salr minded legislators have declared that their
Eympathies lie entirely with the rural com
-uunity from which New-York City would take
sts water supply. It is a favorite phrase to
describe New-York City as "desolaong whoIs
townships" for Its water system The majority
OF the upstate legislators have rural conmu-
mites IN their constituencies and the sentiment
81 all these Is easily stirred against New-York
city by such an appeal. For example the Smith
law q last session passed the Assembly by g
vote Of S4 TO Il; even George NJ. Palmer. the
Democratic floor leader. who affects 10 have a
great kindness for New-York. found it con-
~enient 10 dodge the measure, realizing that he
might soon have 10 ask for a similar measure
for SchoharIe County. protecting Schoharie and
ether creeks.
Thus 1t is apparent that the proposed Apgar
measures are fraught with real peril II intro
ouoed. It is hard TO see. judging from the pres
eut sentiment prevailing at Albany, how they
can be beaten. New-York members may raise
sae cry of Ramapo, but 1t really makes little
difference 10 the average upstate legislator
whether New-York City goes 10 Ramapo or
surther. as long as II is kept out Of his COM
znUnity.
Let New-york City go 10 Ramapo or wher~
ever they can get water for money" was the
gtst of AI-. Apgar's comment last week L am
most interested in PeekskilL The people down
sn New-Tork City think they are the whole
State. with aT their money they can get wab's
somewhere without wiping out our communt
lies" This states The upstate case fairly.
But there IS a hopeful side 10 this situation
and that IS the broadminded view that Governor
Higgins takes of the matter. Foreseeing the
inevitable conflict between the rural and the
metropolitan community this very question
before the legislature had assembled. he wrote
into his message a suggestion. which, from the
point Of view OF those in touch with the legis-
lature. offers the one prospect Of relief for New
York City. lie said there:
The growing demands for additional water sup
pies IN The greater cities and for adequate sup
piles 81 pure ana Wholesome water for domestic
purposes u olieI InurclpaIlIlss, Indicate that in
fhe Hot distant future the problem OF water supply
/
can continue indefinitely TO rely upon a natural
course - artificial methods OF publication The
question presents itself whether It Is not feasible 70
develop some plan whereby the municipalities NAV
e insured a wafer supply at d minimum cost under
The waters OF the Adlrondacks and other sources
The legislature Of 1874 enacted a law creating a
water storage commission. which has for it's OBJ
5ect practically the conservation OF water for power
J-.ls.5- "A slate commission having also for It's
q great service. --s' 10
Ever since that time the idea has been grow
ing in his mind. In talking about it last week
he said that the power Of determining where
water should 90 as between community and city
was one power he thought might be delegated
10 this commission. The most farseeing Of the
legislators now regard it as inevitable that New
York City VIII have TO go to the Adirondacks or
Lake Ontario. In discussing II, q Republican
Senator, who Is consulted on all legislation. said
yesterday:
What Is the use Of these little additions that the
great CITY Is 1aElng2 They temporary make
Elfts; ultimately they have got TO 20 10 Cbamnain
policy to let them make desert Tss. Se @ o6 500 S
thriving Lttle communities about them? or course
= would cost lot Of money, but they have got 10
ten Irom Ontario TO w-York feeding also fhe
Fty q the future. Why should we give tSeT1 T0vSer
20 destroy nOur1shing communities for Temporary
supplies?
Governor E.ggins's suggestion TO the legtslat-
uTe OF q state commission Is IN advance OF this
hut along a similar Iine Discussion OF the
metropolitan system OF Boston, feeding not
merely tie metropolis, bat dozen other towns
and cities, is generally TO be heard Mr. VAIN
wright IS prepared 70 urge the right Of West
chester County 10 tap any new water line to
NeW-York City precisely the Boston plsn
Last years experience with the Smith law
proved that II Useless 10 raise the cry OF
Ramapo. Experienced observers are convi1csd
that the Mcclellan measure itself has little