The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-07-05
ASK CHANGES
IN POTABLE
WATER ACT


ties for such Improvements or develop
ments.
Another amendment urged would pro-
vide that nothing in the act shall be con-
strued to onfer on ANY water company
or other corporation or person" the right
to condemn lands, water or water rights.
Section s. with its provisions as to regu-
lation and taxation of water supplies
which are Objectionable to Newark, will
be changed radically If the wishes of that
clty's representatives are observed.
The substitute for this section offered is
intended to exempt municipal corporations
from all regulation, making the provisions
apply to private corporations and water
companies only. The changes asked are
intended to permit Newark to build needed
reserve impounding reservoirs in the
~Pequannock watershed.
The Senate sat In committee of the whole
as last week. Senator Wakelee was called
upon to act as chairman. Newark's sug-
gestions were received with interest, and
judging from the disposition of the Sena-
tors. the proposed change. providing that
no part of the act shall be construed to
give a private corporation the right to
condemn land, water, water works or
water sheds property, will be approved.
1t was held by some that with such n
proviso all of Newark's objections would
be met.
The town of Harrison was represented
by a committee of six, Councilmen- Edward
Rice. John DAILY and Clarence T. Van
Deren, Town Engineer H. P. Kreiner,
| Town Counsel Charles Marsh and P. A.
McAviney.
Through Mr.. Kreiner the committee con-
Cured literally in the stand Of the city OF
Newark. Railway and Dover representa-
tives offered suggestions for changes in the
bill. Dover's representatives asked that
the law be corrected so that municipalities
and corporations might be prohibited from
diverting waters from any stream to the
| detriment of municipalities farther up
stream using the same source OF supply.
State Geologist Kummet spoke at length
In favor of the law as 1t was passed. He
said among other things that when he had
drawn the bill 1t had not occurred to him
that any one could or would construe 1T ms
affecting the Bachelor anti-diversion law.
He saw no reason for amending 1t to the
effect that 1t should not be construed as
permitting diversion, but. or the other
hand. it would do no harm to attach such
a provision. Mr.. Corbin took a prominent
part in the discussion, and there were
frequent informal arguments with Secre-
tary James NJ. Reilly, of NewaFks Board
of Trade; Senators Silzer and Wakelee,
DR.. Klmmet and Mr.. Corbin figuring as
the principals.
When Railways representatives were
discussing their water rights Mr.. Corbin
suggested that facts were valuable somt
tines and proceeded to give a history
of the Railway River watershed.
He said that the charters of several wa-
ter companies, including the East jersey
gave them the sane rights as Railway II
regard TO the Railway River watershed
and the watersheds Of jts branches.
DR.. Kummet in his long discussion stood
out for permitting the commission to keel
strong supervision over State waters
urging that in such supervision and
power of regulation the rights of al
municipalities and companies would b.
uniformly protected.
The East Jersey had marshaled its co
horts for the defense of the law. Assist
ing Mr.. Corbin was William d. Edwards
of Morris Canal fame. Mr.. Edwards /
was who worked arduously for thu
abandonment Of the Morris Canal a few
years. ago.. when It was believed tina
abandonment would benefit the East Jer
sey.
II want to deny that there was am
surreptitious amendment of this law,
said the State Geologist.
only n amendment went into the bil
that did not go through my hands. Thu
last sentence in section 2 went into tn
bill in the House at the suggestion o
Newark as to condemnation.
THE substitution of corporation 70
water company in the bill was at tn
suggestion Of the Newark Board of Trade
1t was held that six water companies in
corporAted under the general law woul
be let out. II, as suggested by Governo
Griggs. we again change this and make.
water companies, l would oppose the pro
posed amendment that would put Newarl
on a different scale of fees than any on
else. The idea originally was to estah
lish a reservoir under State control wit
the capitalized funds collected under III
section providing for payments to tn
State by municipalities"
Mr.. Wakelee said thai this was in hi
Judgment an extraordinary session of tn
Legislature and wanted to know If ther
was anything that required immediat
amendment. DR.. Kummet said there wa
not, but added that he opposed the propC
sition to have the provisions OF the la
made ineffective until next year.
He said that such a plan would simpl
enable certain interests to buy up a
winter rights possible before the law wer
into effect.
Il want 10 protest against instruction