New-York tribune., 1907-02-09
SPEAKER DEFENDS BILL
AnS7cers arguments against Riuer
Commission Measure.
tRy Telegraph TO TIE Tribune.

Albany Feb s-CritIcism of the River Commits
sion bill introduced by Assembyman Moreland on
Wednesday impelled Speaker Wadsworth to-day 20
make a formal statement defending the measure
1t he VINO presented the measure to Mr.. More
land for introduction The salient points or the
arguments advanced against tho measure are that
drops of the act creating the river commis-
sion the words. so far necessary for that pur-
pose" applied 10 changing tho course OF rivers
to protect health and safety only, strikes OUT
provision that the Legislature must sanction each
specific improvement and empowers the commls-
sion changes in plans after the Legislature
has acted. These things. opponents Of the bill say
make the scope Of the commission very broad.
Assembyman Wadsworth met these arguments
in the following statement:
The bin introduced by Assemblyman Moreland
Wednesday last amending the KtN6r improve
ment Commission Act, was Drawn py anu Ln.lV- n!V
duced at the request OF MT. AckeT of the state
Water Supply Commission, which commission now
has assumed the duties OF tho old River improve
The tirst work Of river Improvement undertaken
under this statute Is the III % I a.
seraga Creek. in Livingston County "hch Is d
tributary Of the Genesee River This stream from
line is about fourteen miles long. with a fan OF
only three feet TO the mile The stream is SO Wlho
ing however that IL actually covers about three
times that distance, and Its bed has been 80 hlied
Vsy @ hst s aSer every heavy rain il is unable to
carry of the water and oyeThows its banks. ana
Lands which several years ago were OF great value
are now swamps; The whole area ahected COM
II is the purpose of the Water Supply Commission
so that the water may be carried off quickly by
the digging OF a straight channel The property
holders. in that locality upon whom all the expense
OF the work IS 10 be finally assessed, very
strongly In favor Of this improvement The com.
mission have prepared their plans for the improve
ment. which were approved BY the Legislature last
year and they desire to start the work this spring
The commission desire amendment 10 tho orig
inal act which Will permit them to Issue cerhca
OF Indebtedness to meet the cost of the improve
mcnu as Il progresses in anticipation of the bond
issue. which certificates will be retired out of the
proceeds Of the bonds when Sold and the
of the property holders benefited then made.
The commission are OF the opinion that under
a strict construction of the present statute they
have no authority make any changes. matter
how slight, in the plans for the Improvement as
approved by the Legislature They believe that the
character OF the work and the conditions likely TO
be met during the progress Of tho improvement will
necessarily require some incidental changes in the
course of the channel defined by the plans
adopted. The nature of The muck and quicksand
soil through which this channel is 10 be constructed
makes this outcome more than probable. If any
such contingency should be met with. IL would be
ne ,essary for the commission TO stop the entire
work file an amended map, come TO the Legisla ture
and secure its approval before the work could be
proceeded with.
Therefore they ask for authority TO make such
incidental changes in the plans approved by the
I,ez be found necessary to the
conditions the work progresses.
There is object, purpose or motive involved in
the proposed amendments except such l have
hAr stated