New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-14
TO GUARD CITY WATER.
authorities SEEK RIGHT
JTbune's Watershed Exposure Stirs
Both City and State.

s,,os The Tribune's discovery of typhoid in
- -ro,on watershed, where the disease was
800 N exist and houish all the way from
1.o,aa,,s Bridge to the Landing, the city Water
soo,artr,ent in corporation with the state and
a.v health departments and the officials in the
,vatershed, has been endeavoring TO remove all
,,urces Of possible contamination Of the city's
.-,.er sunplv. This endeavor has been primarily
tbrough a liberal use Of disinfectants. The on
o,s ~ villages in the infected district have as
.,.,ed 10 the full extent OF their powers, with
ope exception. namely. at Mount Kisco-
Al that village there is a spirit Of indifference.
There is a typhoid case in the village. The
drainage from the village cesspools in rainy
heather goes TO the reservoirs that supply this
city with water The sentiment Of the author
dies there is tina: it viii this city right If
devastating epidemic should result from the
conditions at Mount Kisco. This feeling is due
70 the alleged Indifference OF the authorities here
as TO the disposal Of the Mount Kisco sewage.
Professor O. H Landreth. formerly consulting
engineer Of the State Board Of Health, came
N this city yesterday and saw, IT is said. the
several department heads who are wrestling
with the typhoid problem. Professor Landreth
has long recognized the conditions at Mount
Kisco as a menace TO the health of this city.
He has considered the plan Of sewering the
putlet scheme. He believes that the sewage
should be led into the Sound by way OF the
White Plains and Bronx system. The Water
Department plan is to put the sewage Of the
watershed into the Hudson.
This adds another difficulty 20 a clearing up
of the watershed conditions The Merchants
Association. through Edward Hatch, jr.. is OPP
posed TO the Hudson River outlet; certain ele-
nent in the Water Department, with Chief En-
eineer De Varona at the head. is opposed TO
sewering the watershed under any circum-
stances while another element favors sewer
ing as an auxiliary 70 filtration. These conflict
ing interests viii delay the clearing up OF the
situation. In the mean time. If the careful in
spection induced by The Tribune as a temporary
safeguard should be relaxed the city will be
left wide open for the entrance OF disease
The Water Department has frequently called
attention 10 its helplessness in correcting the
abuses in the watershed owing to the restrlc-
tions Of the Apgar law. But the state laws are
not so opposed TO the city as was asserted.
Chapter 73S Of the Laws Of 1905. section 25b,
entitled Limitations acquisition OF water
rights in Westchester and Putnam countless"
says that city outside of Westchester or
Putnam shall have power Of condemnation. for
the purpose Of increasing improving the
water supply, except that this act shall
not apply TO the contemplated reservoir known
as the Cross River Reservoir. nor 20 the con-
templated reservoir at or near Croton Falls nor
10 the contemplated acquisition Of land in the
vicinity Of Rye Lake" The act is further limited
90 as not 10 prevent the city from obtaining real
estate for everything in connection with water
works system. for the purpose OF conveying TO
the city OF New York and 10 the said counties
water from sources outside OF the said counties,
80 ap
water already established within said counties"
This provision IL is said. however, leaves the
way open for action by the city IN emergency
cases. The section is interpreted 10 mean that
the city has power TO protect its water supply.
In view OF the seriousness OF the situation the
city authorities have decided TO ask the Legis-
lature to give the city such power TO protect as
may st present seem to be lacking A bill is
being prepared. a Tribune reporter was informed
yesterday which win give the Water Depart
ment full power TO protect the city's water. It
Il recognized that the city is apparently unable
10 take immediate action. It may have the
power TO act, but before the courts could define
the extent OF its authority a serious epidemic
might be in full swing. Through the efforts OF
The Tribune city and state authorities are la
boring 70 give this city adequate water supply
protection ana power 20 arrest threatening con-
dttions without the delay OF appeal to the
courts.
Il was said last night that there were no
further reports OF typhoid IN the villages IN the
watershed. and that the cases reported were Inn
proving
The Water Department IS not az all pleased
with the law Of 1905 which permits boating ice
cutting and fishing IN reservoirs and lakes used
for water supply. The act provides that the
city shall provide easy access for persons who
may wish TO hsh or boat, but II also provides
that the city may formulate rules for the use OF
the boats.
Il was said In Mr. oBrien's department that
fhis law was contrary TO ali good sense. The
reservoirs should be held as sacred as the special
spring water IN any household. It said. Per-
sons who hshed might battle in the reservoirs
Persons who cut fee might be italians OF the
zane dangerous class as was employed in the
watershed. There should be a legal wall OF
definite exclusion put up around the whole
watershed, Il said. This matter viii also
be considered when the whole question IS taken
up with the state authorities. II was said yes
fercay that IL there was the semblance OF parti-
ian opposition TO every sensible means OF safe
guarding the city water supply an appeal would
De made 10 Governor Hughes.
TUNNEL WORKER CRUSHED TO DEATH.
stack OF iron weights. each weighing 200
poands. fell on Barney Hughes, OF No. liz East
cfv v1,Fla h0 7fuvano IN he