New-York tribune., 1905-01-05
KILLS SMITH WATER BILL.
4 SUBSTITUTE MEASURE.
Commission Provided to Decide on
Local Source and System.
gsr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIsUNE.l

{By TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIsUNE'l
Albany, Jan. 4-Senator B. z. Marun' on De-
half of New-York City, to-day introduced the
long advertised water supply bill which, by
reason OF a feature still not generally known,
promises to provoke bitter fight. The BILL de-
signed 70 authorize q commission OF three ap-
pointed by the Mayor, member designated
by him one by the Merchants Association ana
a third by the American Society OF civil En-
gineers TO decide on a source and system Oh
water supply for New-York City and proceed
TO take the necessary land, actually wipes out
the J. T. Smith law of last session. excluding
New-York City from certain Dutchess county
streams, thus provoking a renewal of the great
battle Of last session, for the opposition OF the
rural members is already assured.
The Martin bill destroys the effect Of the
Smith law of last session by general not spe-
cial enactment That law excluded New-York
from certain streams; the new bill provides that
the commission. after it he's prepared its plans
and filed its maps. may proceed to the taking
OF land and the work of securing the water
supply without further warrant from the Board
OF Aldermen. The assault on the Smith law
is contained in the following provision whioh
declares after certain immaterial details:
The city of New-York shall be and become
seized in fee of all those parcels OF real estate
which as on the maps OF which, il has been de-
cided that the fee should be acquired, and may
Immediately at any time or times thereafter
take possession Of the same without any suit or
proceeding law for that purpose, and the
Board of Water Supply OF the city Of New~YorA
may enter upon and use and OCCUPY IN per
petuity all the parcels OF real estate described
in said map fo- the purpose or constructing ana
maintaining the said aqueducts, dams etc.
This being a general law will. 1t is agreed,
supersede the Smith law. This was the view
taken OF it by Assemblyman Smith. who said:
i've been looking for attempt to break my
law and I guess this is 1t. OF course. 1 shall
oppose it,
The Smith law Of last session was bitterly
opposed by all New-York legislators. 1t was
finally passed ard signed by the Governor who
declined to accept the charge that it was de-
signed TO benefit Ramapo. but in signing 1t Gov
ernor odell declared himself ready to call an
extra session and assist in the passage Of a law
that would on the one hand protect the resi-
dents along the Dutchess County streams men
toned in the law and on the other give New
York City access to the streams.
Mr. Martins measure has a further striking
feature. II authorizes the commission to con-
struct and operate plants for the generating OF
electricity and the transmission and sale of
power in connection with the new water system
This is in essence a further extension of the
plan OF municipality operated lighting plants
and suggests features of the Merritt electrical
power measure of last session and the Lewis
Water Storage act which superseded it.
Assemblyman Wainwright, Of Westchester
has announced his purpose to amend this Mar
tin bill so as to provide for the furnishing OF
water to the counties through which the aque-
duct passes, or at least to Westchester County.
He said:
We are about at maximum OF water sup
ply in our county west of the sources having
been taken years ago by New-York Some of our
cities have to go to Connecticut now, and that
is a precarious source. I believe in connection
with this New-York supply there should be
some provision duplicating the metropolitan dis
trict system of Boston.