The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-22
MAYOR URGES HIS WATER BILL
BitkED ~ SETH row II Az
IBiNy NEARING
Mcclellan Makes strong Plea for Ills
Plan tn Take the supply From Ulster
tnunt, State Commission opposed
strong Fight Against the Measure.


/ ALBANy. Feb II Mayor Mcclellan ap-
peared to-day before the three legislative
committees which have IN charge the clues-
ton of the State, water supply and made
an urg,nt and forcihle plea Tor his bill
permitting the city 10 go into Ulster county
and take it, supply from Rondout, Esopus
and Cat-ldll creeks
The Mayor was backed up by Seth Low
/ and was accompanied TO Albany by Corpo-
ration Counsel Delany. Commissioner
Oakley. eS-Commissioner Robert Greer
Monroe and number Of Representatives
Of city organizations The Mayor and
MI. Low werc entertained AZ lunct con by
the Governor
II had been originally intended to have
hearing on the Mayors bin providing
for municipal lighting plant. bu, the
water question was so important that the
TWO measures could not bc taken up in one
day. The opposition to tho water bill
will have another chance 70 4hov Why
the bill should not pass
The hearing to-day has brought about
situation that Chairman Ben iamin b OdeIl
Jr little anticipated when he had GOV
Higgins write the special message to the
Legislature favoring a State commission
BY that message Mr., Odell hoped 20 put
Mayor Mcclellan into political hole But
the attitude Of the Mayor to-day led many
to believe that il there il any politics in
the matte. il is the Republican party mnn-
agers who are playing IT, aud that if the
water bill does not pass In form TO give
the city immediate relief II will react to
the disadvantage Of the man Mr. Odell
hopes TO nominate for Mayor OF New York.
Mayor Mcclellan commenced his argli-
ment by show ing that what was to the in
terest OF New York city was TO the interrst
OF the entire State.
Il come 70 you To appeal for legisla ton
to meet a situation that Is alarming he
said. The emergency that now confronts
NJ is the most serious IN the history Of or
city. There l. shortage III our water
supply
We have reached the limit in our water
supply, One dry year would bring great |
discomfort Two dry years would bring |
untold misery. Three dry years would |
mean a famine too dreadful 10 contem-
plate
Mayor Mcclellan proceeded TO show that
the increase in tho population was such
that more water was constantly needed.
He asserted that, according to the growth I
of the city In 1925 there must be 0iS,OO0 600 /
gallons OF water for the ,se OF the city
an increase of about half billion over what
the city now has. The question was where
to 60 for H. He showed that there was no
hope from Long Island nor IN Ncetohestcr
county. The Adirondaoks we're too iar
away. as II would cost 100000 900 to build
an aqueduot to bring it TO New York city
Lake George was as far away and the water
from there would have 10 bo pumped, a.
the lake lies 30 low.
There are two possible sources left us
the Hudson and three streams in Ulster
county. Some day We may have 10 take
from the Hudson river but We don't want to
until We have exhausted other sources
We would be obliged 10 build an immense
filtration plant AT Hyde Park where the
effects Of the salt water are lost.
The Mayor also asserted that even the
Hudson would not bring about the desired
result unless reservoirs were built in the
Adirondacks To feed the river.
4 State commission he said would
require time 1t might report to the next
Legislature that another commission be
appointed 10 superintend this work. This
might take five years before the work would
be started We must undertake this work
at once All we seek Is the Ulster county
watershed, and We are ready to 60 ahead
with the work to-day. A. the city will
have 10 pay the cost OF this work. | submit
that it should have the night Of spending
the money
The Mayor concluded by saying Amend
my bill; emasCiIlate it az you ace TT. But
give US water. that is what We want at
once. We need u at once. We need u
as we never needed 1t before, But don't
il so that il will be nom
partisan board and against home rule,
and 20 II will not bring about speed
EN-Mayor Low said that he agreed with
every word tibet Mayor Mcclellan had
said in regard 70 the urgency Of the situR-
ton. or d state water commission Mr.
Low said that IL would he appropriate
work for the State az affecting rnore than
one community, II the state will do IT,
using H. own credit, n Massachusetts
why the state should build water works
for the city than IT. bridges
Mr. Low sad that the Legislature should |
authorize the immediate construction 81
by the Mayor. substantially on the lines
by Mr. Mcclellan, when the
plans have been approved by the State
Engineer and State Health Commissioner
rs TO the minimum flow OF streams. Other
points made by Mr.. Low were
That the Legislature authorize the Gov
arnor to appoint a commission 10 invesu-
gate the water question az large, from tho
general point of view, especially with refer
'nce 10 the policy TO be pursued in regard
20 supplying, not only New York atty with
water but also all other communities de-
pendent on the same watersheds. to pollu-
lion OF streams, and 10 negotiating, IL
possible, with the state OF Connecticut
Tor the Use of the waters Of the Ten Mile
River and tho upper Housatonic districts. I
That the Legislature adopt joint roso- ,
luton for constitutional amendment. !
authorizing New York city. and, II il j.
desired. other cities alEo. 10 issue fifty year
water bonds for extension Of the water
supply.
ES-Supreme Court Justice Clearwater Of
Kingston. on behalf 81 Jlsiar county
opposed the bin, A. did Abraham j Miller. c
the Board 81 Supervisors Of
Putnam county Asserbyulan J. T. Smith
y Dutohess aud A. X. smith Of Vest
,hester
Tomorrow Assemllyman .coutant Of