The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-20
WATER BILL EMASCULATED.
SENATE COMMITTEE STRIKES OUT
IMPORTANT CLAUSE.
II Gave the City Authority to Furnish IlEht
and Power 20 Private Consumers
Mayor McClellAnS strong Protest
10 Gov. Higgins Proves OF No Await.

Asse mblymAn Tompkins's bill, desired by
Mayor George B. Mcclellan, provision that
In connection with the additional waite T
supply which the bill Pc rmits New York city
10 get In Ulster county there may be
operated plant by which this water supply
may be used in generating power and cleo
trio light, not only TO supply the needs Of
the city, but 10 furnish electric light TO pri-
vate consumers at prior much less than
they now pay TO the electric lighting COM
panies This provision was in the bill
when it was agreed to by all interests be-
fore it passed the Asse mbly, and Gov. Hig-
gins accepted It when he sent 20 the As
sembly a week ago an eme rgenoy messa &c
without which the bill could not have been
passed.
The bill during the first three months
Of it's existence in the Legislature met with
90 much opposition and 80 II any OF sta, les
that the electric lighting corporations and
the gas companies in New York city we're
ulled into a sense Of fancied security, being
told that the bin would never get through.
When they realized that the Legislature
dare not refuse 70 pass the | i'll they woke
up and renewed in the Senate their Efforts
10 kill the provision referred to. They
have been successful.
Last night, in executive session, the SEN
ate Cities Committee considered this bill
and on motion Of Senator White, chairman,
the provision was stricken out This was
done after Senator White had conferred
with Gov. Higgins and the Republican
legislative leaders. The open opinion ex-
pressed was that IL Republican Legislature
enacted il It would make Mayor Mcclellan,
as a candidate for reelection next fall,
too strong before the people. That was the
ostensible reason. The real reason is that
the lighting corporations Of New York city
are responsible for the elimination Of this
provision,
The Senate Cities Committee reported the
bill to-day as thus amended to be reprinted
and recommitted When Mayor McClel-
Ian learned Of this action this morning he
Immediately teegraphed Gov. Higgins as
follows:
Il have been informed by Senator Martin
over the long distance telephone that you
have taken the position that the bill for
an additional supply Of water for the city
Of New York must be further amended 50
as 70 deprive the city Of the right to utilize
the electrical power that may be generated
by the fall Of water OF any stream or dam
in the territory which may be taken there
under. II this be. thur, L ask you to recon-
sider your determination.
'First-Because II such natural energy
would otherwise be wasted it would be
contrary to every tenet Of economy not to
use It.
sSeoond-As the city will have 10 pay for
the rty taken for its water supply,
IL should not be deprived Of the natural
usufruct enjoyed by every other propn-
etor
'Third-This pro vision in the bill is in
keeping with those Of similar MEASURES for
modem water systems.
"Fourth-n electrical power should be
20 produced its use and sale for public
purposes will diminish the COST of main
tenanoe to the public.
'Fifth-It may Zip us in the solu ton Of
the graver problems affecting the public
lighting Of the city.
'SiKth-Bscause private corporate in
terests had been sedulously urging that
they be given this right by exploitation
and have persistently endeavored to induce
me TO omit any such provision from the
bill.
'These corporate interests are not seeking
the public welfare, and in behalf Of the city
/ ask you to second my efforts to defeat
their interference with the natural rights
Of the public.
There are other importentc considerations,
but hastily collste these 80 as TO enable
you TO consider the matter before the meet
ing Of the Senate Cities Committee to-day
Tonight Gov. Higgins wrote 20 Mayor
Mcclellan, declining 10 favor restoration
Of the provision mentioned. Gov. HiG-
gins's letter follows:
In reply to your telegram. | have to
say that have not taken the position that
the water bill must he further amended
In the manner indicated by you. How
ever. have said that, in my judgment,
the proposition contained in the bill that
the Board Of Water Supply may sell power
and also water for manufacturing pur-
poses. when not needed for city purposes,
Is a novel one not contained IN the present
city Charter and not germape 20 the main
purpose Of your bill.
The city has asked for legislation TO
enable IL to obtain the necessary additional
supply Of pure and wholesome water. l
have seconded your efforts in this direction.
' No CITY now mas ltklnAhAlNt HD"tlo W AZ
olrre lands for an additional water supply
under the Charter, as it will have under
the Tompkins bill, except that the new
commission NAV be a more efficient agency
than the old commissioner. have sus-
tanned your position in regard TO the new
commission with unlimited tenure Of Office
IT now appeors that the city seeks.
under the provisions Of section 20 OF the bin.
authority to take, in addition 20 its own
necessary water supply, a supply Of water
to be sold for manufacturing purposes,
and il also seeks authority TO go into the
business OF power development and frsns-
mission.
these activitie' may OF may not be
proper municipal functions This extension
Of the principal OF municipal ownership
demands serious consideration on IL own
merits, and not a. a mere incident 10 a general
plan. The localities suffer serious incon-
Venlenoe. that can be justified only by
the plea OF nece ssity, when their lands
are taken TO furnish the city with water
for dome tic and municipal purposes.
They should not be put 70 the further in
convenience Of having their water power
and water not needed by the city taken
avv,x fr,r, than, IN Ia eold nv thu citv for