New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-12
DAMS TO STOP FLOODS.
RiUer Commission Asks To Be
Ousted from Office.

Albany, FEB. u.-Three important point. are
made in the annual report OF the State River I'm
provement Commission submitted to the legis-
lature to-day. Two of them are rather unusual
One is a recommendation OF the commission that
its members be legslated out OF office; the other
the fact that, OF an appropriation OF $1,000 the
commission has spent less than half, or s4Oss
The third point is the evident conviction OF the
commission that the foods and unsanitary condi-
tons due 10 extreme high and low water In the
streams OF the State be controlled II not en-
tirely obviated. by scientific storage OF water IN
suitably situated reservoirs.
The commission consists Of Attorney General
Julius NJ Mayer as president; State Engineer and
Surveyor H A Van Astyne, Superintendent Of
Public Works n. V. Y Frarchot Forest Fish and
Game Commissioner James S. Whippe, and Wal
lace c. Johnson, the engineer member Of the COM
mission appointed by the Governor
The four members OF the commission who also
hold other important State offices. in supple
mentary report express their belief that this
work and the problems connected Herewith OF
so important character that the personnel OF the
commission should be changed The duties OF the
Attorney General the State Engineer and Sur
veyOr, the Superintendent Of Public Works and
the Forest. Fish and Game Commissioner such
that these officers cannot give 10 these matters the
time. continuous consideration and personal in
spection which they deserve; and these duties
are likely to increase in the future. the
dition will apply TO any person hereafter filing
the Offices referred TO. We submit, therefore for
the consideration OF the legislature the wisdom OF
eliminating these officers members OF this COM
mission"
The most important Of the matters considered by
the commission based complaints OF the
cities Of Albany Troy ard Rensselaer, of conditions
menaclng TO public health and safety arising from
the overflow Of the Hudson River. Mr.. Johnson
says. in part:
1t is evident from observation that there are
points the Battenkin where reservoirs can be
constructed. by means OF which It's flow could be
restricted. To what extent and at what cost will
TO determine, but l the opinion that the TOW
can be 50 restricted as to remove all danger from
along the Battenkin at a moderate expense.
II Is the waters from the lower section. he says
and from the portion Of the Sacandaga basin that
are largely the cause OF the spring floods in the
Hudson River Valley. because the snow in the
cleared lands in the lower section melts off more
quickly, and floods caused by the rush Of water
from these areas have receded before the snow In
The forests the higher levels has melted and
found its way into the Hudson to any great eX-
tent II is probable that something like 10 per cent
of the water which does the most damage IN the
Hudson Valley from the Battenkill."
The foods along the Mohawk River also
treated at length in the report OF the engineer
commissioner. who points out number Of places
IN the Mohawk basin where reservoirs may be
effectively constructed among the localities sug-
sested being those of Trenton Falls. Little Falls
points between Little Falls and Fort Hunter, along
the lower course OF the Schoharie and elsewhere
upon the tributaries OF the Mohawk. including
west Canada Creek. East Canada Creek, Oriskany
Creek and Nine Mile Creek.
Referring the petition for relief from floods
on the Chenango River Binghamton. the COM
mission describes IT'S several hearings this petit
ton reports the fact that the city OF Bnghamton
and the persons interested in the proposed i'm
movement have agreed 70 assume the cost Of
views and plans. and quotes its resolutions which
certify that the regulation OF the flow of the
Clenaueo River Al Bnghanton is of sufficient
iroportance 20 warrant the interference of the
STATE and directs the engineer commissioner TO
make surveys and Investigations, the expense Of
10 commencement 10 be borne by the city OF Bing
tsmton Tie final hearing on this matter is TO be
lid al the Attorney Generals office in Albany on
February q. III, ,.- .
- coDnIsfnt from near Central Valley and High
ms NIIIis In Orange County. Woodbury. Creek.
Tbe anal hearing this matter is set down for
msrch : EFT tho Attorney Generals office