New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-13
S. I. CRIES FOR DRINK
Delegation of Richmond Residents
attend Hearing in Trenton.
LRr Telegraph 70 The TrIbune. ]

| Trenton March 12-Staten Island sent down
/ by special train this afternoon III OF the most
/ active citizens of the island to ask the Legis-
| lature TO exempt Staten Island from the provi-
sions of the act passed last year forbidding the
sale or diversion of Jersey waters TO other stAles
! The hearing was in the Senate chamber before
| the Joint Senate and House committees on ju-
dietary.
Among the Staten Island men were representa-
tives of nearly every civic organization The
delegation was headed by George Cromwell
President of the Borough of Richmond Ihere
were also Louis L. Tribus, Commissioner OF
Public Works; David ]. Tyson one of the largest
Individual property owners and taxpayers on
the island; W. s Van Chef large lumber deal
er; Charles L. Spier. president Of the Richmond
Light and Traction Company, and De Witt L.
Stafford and Thomas A. Brennan, OF the kepuo-
Iican committee of Staten Island
John J. Delany. Corporation Counsel of the
city of New-York. appeared for Mayor Mcclellan
in favor of the proposition. He said 1t was a
great problem. Staten Island must stand STILL
he said unless a decent water supply can be
obtained The sub-structure he declared. being
rock. prevented healthful supply from the soil
On the ground of humanity he asked that New
Jersey help her sister, who by nature belonged
this state.
AT the present time he pointed out, large
part Of the shopping of the Staten Islanders Is
done in Perth Amboy and Bayonne The banks
on the Jersey side. he said. have large oepoSi'0
from the island He touched the danger from
fire on the island. In many places he salo' H'e
insurance companies refused to issue pohcles'
President Cromwell said the present system
coming from artesian wells was absolutely IN
adequate.
Deputv Fire Chief Guerin of Staten Island
Confirmed the statements of the inadequate sup
ply in case of fire and the consequent damage
He said Chief Croker once said the fire depart
nlent of Staten Island was in the hands OF Goa
and the Legislature of New-Jersey.
Senator Mckee called attention to the fact
that there was now a commission appointed and
ready to work to look into the potable water
condition. This question should be left TO the
commission. he said.
Mr. Sterritt, an expert Of Paterson denied
that there was plenty of water in the Passaic
below Little Falls He said the whole thing was
a scheme of the East Jersey Water Company
which had been for years stealing and diverting
water from the Passaic to the detriment of
Paterson.
Attorney General MacCarter said the present
suit pending i'm the Court of Errors was based
on the common law
Strange to say. neither New-York nor Staten
Island or any of the citizens ever appeared to
protest in that suit" he said. Even the Hudson
County Water Company only argued as to the
constitutionality Of the bill. Not a word was
said about Staten Islands needs That is some
thing new. The state has commission TO
look into this entire subject Besides. the high
est court will soon render a very important
decision"
r. V. Lindaberry said the truth ought to be
told. Mayor Mcclellan, he pointed out certified
to the bad state of affairs Staten Island. SO
did Secretary Root. The fact that these people
did not appear in the suit amounted to nothing
he declared. IF Staten Island is starving. the
court has nothing to do with it," he said. That
is matter for the Legislature. There is moth
ing to prevent New-Jersey from doing a favor
for New-York. 1t might want favor in return
some time. But all else aside, the appeal of
the United States government to help the forts
and the navy is enough. 1t should be granted"
After the hearing Mr.. Lindabury gave TO
Chairman Hillery the draft Of a bill which he
wanted the members TO consider. 1t was a sup
plement 10 the act Of last year and provided
that where there seemed a necessity the state
could permit another state to take water from
New-Jersey, with the condition that the period
should not exceed fifteen years. and that the
amount Of water should not exceed ten million
rail- Ions 6av