New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-30
GOVERNOR ON WATER.
HIS VIEWS ON STORAGE.
Disagrees rith Recent Statement OF
Commissioner WhppIe.
rBy Telegraph to The Tribune


Albany. Jan. 29.-In reply 70 queries prompted
by the Importance OF the water storage project
conditions here, Governor Hughes to-day re-
iterated his positive disapproval OF any scheme
20 take away from the state its forest pre-
serves for the benefit OF any private interest.
Incidentally he made e clear that he did not
stand IN any way for recent statement by
James s. Whipple. State Forest and Game Com
missioner. favoring the water storage plan. and
that he did not intend TO have that accepted as
administration" announcement
81 think have made It clear" said the Gov
ernor this morning that have strong con-
viction Of the absolute necessity OF the preserva-
ton OF the state forests. They should not bs
surrendered In whole in part TO any private
interest
Then the recent statement OF Commissioners
Whipple favoring the water storage plan should
not be taken as representing the administra-
tion's views this subject was asked
Il saw a copy Of that statement yesterday 50
sald the Governor Commissioner whipple did
not talk with me about the subject before MAX
ing that statement. We have held no conference
on st. and the statement represents exclusively
his personal views
There was made public at the executive cham
Der to-day an extract from a communication sent
20 Mr.. Hughes prior to his Inauguration by the
committee forests of the New York Board OF
Trade and Transportation which has beer in the
forefront OF the fight against private water stor-
age plans. This was not considered as embodying
precisely the Governors personal views on the
subject. but presenting plausible argument
for the retention by the state of its water rights
1t said:
The subject OF the potential. the uudevelOped
Of the serious CONSIDERATION Of our Lawmakers.
OF the increasing use of both of these powers for
ing and closer competition in all the products OF
n SnsdSIy ana meehanes no advantage either &C;
should be sacrificed or needlessly wasted.
border line Of our own state into that Of Massa-
az fe nion o me . saest m area OF the states
own state, 10 realize what a wise and systematic
conservation in water storage and corresponding
use OF water power may contribute 70 the prosper
ny OF commonwealth. By its comprehensive and
st great expense TO meet the adverse conditions OF
tion Of the forest cover Of the White Mountains,
Massachusetts. without the supreme advantage OF
r 1k hss 5 adYs s rs textile industries 70 the
ranks IN the amount and value OF TSee manu- az
5aetnreo products, II has at the same time evolved
market for better and more expensive fabric
sandard-factors that enter largely into the better
ment OF the industrial classes.
use OF water power in the state OF New York from
ts % 81 Gems tS,aay Twice ~, thai used 6y the
due almost entirely TO the expansion OF the paper
viousiy ouTisRes at the expense Of the forests
even 70 their determination. and therefore inaicts
an injury, more less beyond repair, upon those
0es interests dependsnt upon our forests for their
IN thus contrasting the water power systems OF
ne two states the methods epplied In their man
with the purpose OF respectfully calling your atten
Legislature the adoption Of some plan for develop.
ina by the state itself for the profit Of the state
cure for the Whole peOple the largest measuTe Of
me 3eneneent results in sJTiet accord with the
Republican platform adopted in Saratoga. viz:
the previous Republican state Conventions insist
ing upon the preservation intact Of the state forest
preserve and its extension. far may be neces-
saTy, to in their integrity for the benefit
eoPed 9Se et Whc fa shoud not af e
rendered 10 the control OF private interests"
Such a development Of water power, well
electrical power as is possible in this state. and
OF ndgs 2S W" 4st o0S the he 9 foo
great an undertaking 10 be ntrusted 10 individuals
poiicy IN our Judgment 70 permit any corporation
and thus 10 secure SoT,insio oe ,,e =;
development Of the state which the control OF the
and water courEes would give st. Not only that
1t such corporation would thereby probably secure
TGs %hen NEEDED for the public use the state
ated that Il the s 9afs itself stored #.
waters TOT power and leased them; and supplied
oS S 6rsng TO i an annual revenue OF from $751;
interest ~
The position herein taken in advocacy OF the de-
velopment Of the water powers and electrical
powers Of this state should not be confused with
onsi aenden are informed viii be nTged
The coming session rb S sng y9uT apRToyai az
by he combined interests which have heretofore
the. same interests which have sought legislation
s- oeSel9R me water powers az public expense
s5sing Their schemes on the ground Of protecting
iresets and foods or o deTeop the fes ss %
ne state We. therefore beg that in your investi-
q the water powers of the state you apply as a
nnnciatea q, f ReS ano merit the principles
convention already herein quoted. viz:
Elrst-Ihe preservation in fact OF the state
second--Tts extension as far as may b. necessary
70 conserve In their Integrity for the benefit of the
whole people, the state lands and undevelOped
ThiTd-which should not be surrendered to the
once stripped Of their forest covering which #
ent Of her te 70 % ET9T and ,s ssp by the
more 10 deposit upon their slopes. our watersheds
which by a wise conservation and forethouEhf
mercial wealth. heat. Of electrical energy ana
e5fs ~ ai energy, would he transformed into
rent ana The Hood The water supply itself de-
water not land. which measures production
me, 1 ,fs .ad water problems are perhaps the
said President Roosevelt IN HIS first message 70
Governor Hughes viii not discuss any plan in
detail until IL is submitted 10 him and the arg1i-
rents for and against have been considered
But there is not the slightest question that he
holds The strongest convictions as 20 the neces-
sfy Of saving the forests and OF preventing Their
surrender in whole or part 20 any private IN
terests.
Commissioner Whipple spent some time with
Governor Hughes this afternoon. When asked
about the interview the Governor said that the
water storage question had come I'D. but that