The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-16
GET WATER FROM LAKE ERIE.
". r. d. STOKES ,SCHEHE ron
SUPPLYING THE CITY.

lie Would Abandon the Erie Canal and
use the canal He'd for . state Railroad,
Then Hulld a water Pipe TO the Lake
Hill introduced EmbodytEg His p1ah.
ALBANY, March l5.-W. +. ID. Stokes Of
New York city to-day advanced a new
and somewhat novel plan by which New
York city can get an adequate water sup
ply. Mr.. Stokes appeared before the
Electricity, Gas and Water Supply Com
mttee Of the Assembly, and said that no Is
against Mayor MCClelan's idea He does
not think the city should bother to 60 to
the Hudson River counties for a supply.
He says II the city is really in earnest about
getting a supply. not tainted with RAmapo
graft and the odor Of frog pond, the supply
can be had. Ho points his finger westward
and says the city should tap Lake Erie.
In order 70 get the water 70 New York
city he would abandon the Erie Canal,
declaring himself opposed to any further
expenditure in improving it, He would
utilize the canal bed for a State railroad
and then build pipe line from Lake Erie
to New York city through which the water
will pass.
MIR. stokes declared himself In favor Of
Assemblyman ApgaT's bill, providing for
the State, and said that there was but one
way for New York city to get a pure water
supply, and that was from the Great Lakes.
Col Jay of New York city, who Is a prop
erty owner In Westchestcr county, also
favored Assembyman ApgaT's water bill.
Representatives nom Hudson River cOun-
ties were present and opposed 70 New York
city entering their counties.
Assistant Corporation Counsel Charles L.
Guy pointed out that whereas Ulster county
- H.
from entering the county and taking the
water supply, still there was no way Of
stopping Ramapo from going there and
taking. the water supply and selling 1t TO
New York.
The Apgar or Stokes bill provides for a
State vater commission. with power 20
construct an aqueduct along the lines Of
the State canals for the transmission Of
water fom Lake Erie or Lake Ontario to
New York city. The system Is not how
ever 10 be for the benefit Of New York
alone, but for all municipalities accessible to
the aqueducts or conduts OF the State.
The expense Of construction Is 20 be borne
by assessment apportioned TO the locali-
ties benefited in proportion to the benefits
received
Municipalities awaiting themselves Of
the sources Of supply afforded by the State
system are 10 pay for the quantity Of water
used and the receipts are 10 be applied by
the commission TO the maintenance Of the
system. A municipality drawing water
from the State supply Is authorized, with
the consent Of the State commission, TO
abandon such Of the sources Of the water
supply as the commission deems no longer
necessary,
The advocates Of the bill claim that this
will return 20 the people for farming and
other purposes vast tracts Of fertile land
now used for water purposes IL Is pro-
posed from time 20 time TO construct adj
ditiOnal State systems, either connecting
with the main conduits OF aqueducts OF
independently. so that all municipalities
Of the State will be accessible 20 pure and
ineXhaustible sources Of water supply.