New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-26
AGAINST WATER PLAN.
FOREST LOVERS PROTEST.
Resolution to Aloe Dams IN Adi-
rOnd0cks Denounced Here.

Representative Of various associations and
interests which favor the preservation Of the
State Forest Preserve al a meeting held in the
rooms OF the New York Board Of Trade and
Transportation yesterday afternoon adopted
resolution for the appointment Of a committee
FOR the purpose OF taking action 10 defeat the
concurrent resolution in the Legislature regard
ing the proposed amendment 10 the state con-
stitution. This resolution. which was intro
duced in the Legislature yesterday afternoon
according TO q dispatch received while the
meeting IN session. provides for the amend
ment OF Section Of Article VII which pro-
Vides that timber may be removed from or
destroyed the forest preserve. by excepting
'such lands as the Legislature shall provide by
law shall be used for the storage OF water for
public purposes and the construction OF dams
therefor"
1t was charged at the meeting that the inter
ests back Of this proposed amendment were pri-
Vate corporations. including pulp and paper
manufacturers, who wanted the state TO build
dams 50 that their private businesses might be
benefited.
II was thought that representative OF 'the
enemy" was in the meeting when &c was re-
ported that one OF those present refused TO give
his name or tell what organization he repre-
scented. A resolution was quickly passed re-
Questing this man. who had not been desig-
mated, 20 give his name or leave the meeting.
Then Abram S. Post, who is a member of sew
enal civic societies and who had been regularly
invited. disclosed his identity. and the incident
was closed
Warren Higley said he had heard that there
was fund OF 100000 at Albany for the pas
sage OF the resolution C. L. Parker. who spoke
FOR the sportsmen. said he had heard this rumor.
John G. Agar Of the Association for the Pro-
lection Of the Adirondacl1s. was made chairman
az the meeting. The secretary Frank 5.
Gardner, Of the Board of Trade and Transporta-
zion. Among other associations represented At
me meeting the Adirondack League Club.
The Caughnawaga Club. the Upper Saranac
Association. the Beaver River Club the Scenic
Preservation Society. the Au Sable Lake and
Mountain Club. the Flushing Association. and
the Municipal Art Society. There number
OF similar organizations. which viii have repre-
sentatives on the committee.
Letters favoring the preservation OF the Adj
yondacks were read from President Raymond OF
Union University. President Taylor OF Vassar
College, and many others. Bishop Potter re-
feETing 10 the proposed amendment wrote:
'Such a purpose ought TO be branded as the in
fanny that IL IS. and cannot believe that the
Legislature viii degrade itself by acqufescing IN
the proposed amendment" r. s. Stoddard,
editor of The Northern Monthly of GIens
Falls wrote: 1.-The saving OF the wilderness
rests with you OF the city. DO not look for help
so the Adirondacks for their own preservation.
The tendency of all the section is self-destruc-
lumber and pulp wood and dynaInos, and the
Lord knows all need money"
Francis Slade suggested that perhaps 1t might
he thought that those opposed to the amend
ment were thinking only OF their own camping
Snterests. Il might be better. he thought, to
amend the resolution 90 prohibit private in
diViduals or corporations from getting any bene-
1T from the power OF the reservoirs. rather than
10 try 10 defeat the resolution entirely. This
3dea met with an instant storm Of protest, as It
was said IL would be dangerous TO tenlpOriZe.
Mr.. Parker said that from the sportsman's
point OF view. the flooding Of any part OF the
forest meant desOlation and the extinction OF all
the game and fish left He said those he rep
resented were going to ask that another one
million acres OF forest land be acquired by the
ttare IN the next three years.
Edward Hagaman Hail. secretary OF the As
sociation for the Protection Of the AdirondaclHs,
at the opening OF the meeting read review of
the history Of the Adirondacks for the last if
teen years He told of number OF depreda-
lions. actual and planned, and declared that the
proposed constitutional amendment was
other step by the grabbers to get their clutches
on state property. He replied to the argu-
snents OF those in favor OF the amendment, end
fng:
''The interests promoting this amendment
have been discredited by their record OF dis
stimulation and hypocrisy. When the forces OF
greed and graft are rampant we cannot remain
rfsssiye"