New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-16
PUTS IT UP TO THE CITY
PORTER TO GOV. HUGHES.
SAYS Ne10 York Must Protect It's
O1Cn Watershed.
TBy Telegraph to The Tribune.

TBy Telegraph to The Tribune.I
Albany, May 15-In reply TO a communication
from Governor Hughes asking about reported con-
tamination OF the water supply Of New York city.
State Health Commissioner Porter wrote the Gov
ernor to-day that while the Department of Health
was always ready 10 render the city any assistance
II could 1t could not justly be expected to under
take continuous and detailed protection OF the citys
extensive watershed Such protection, DR.. Porter
added, must come from the city itself, and was
by law ntrusted TO the city departments Of Health
and OF Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. DR..
Porter declared that he had requested opin-
ion from the Attorney General to whether he
had the authority to begin action to relieve the
existing conditions affecting the Croton Reser-
Voir and II the Attorney General should advise
him that he had such power he would Immediately
begin the action. In tho mean time he has writ
ten to Health Commissioner Darlington urging on
the city of New York the construction OF mod
filtration plant being in his judgment the
only safe and way to protect adequately the
water supply OF the city
The Commissioner referred to the act which has
just passed the Legislature to authorize New York
and Mount Kisco to enter into agreement TO
provide for the disposal the sewage that viii
lage. This act should It become a law. he believes,
would promptly relieve the situation at Mount
Kisco
DR. Porter's communication to the Governor was
simply report of existing conditions. which
tanned no recommendations and took attitude
as to what should be done TO relieve the situation
beside the statement OF where in the Commission
er's belief the remedy lay. He discussed the nego-
tiations between the New York authorities. the
Mount ktsco people and his office down to
his approval of sewer plans for Mount Kisco, which
the village refused to build at its expense and
which New York City officially refused to build
backed up by the opinion OF Corporation Counsel
Rives. Some time ago, DR.. Porter went on, he held
a conference with the president the village who
declared that steps had been taken TO abate
these conditions and that the people there believed
the state department should do something to COM
pei the city of New York 10 build this sys-
tenn The report continues:
thsreT upon wrote the Attorney General under
above set forth, and asking him 20 advise me as
ceedng which would be effective in deterrain-
Ing the question at issue. Further, asked him TO
advise me that If had such authority what fur
the[ action I should take, and If had such
village of Mount Kisco to begin some proceeding
that would indicate what form OF action or pro-
ceeding should be begun by them.
To that communication l have received no reply.
also had conference with the Commissioner Of
Gas and Electricity, at which the situation at
Mount hisco was gone over. and at this meeting I
ment Of Health would DO anything In its power
and arrange TO send the consulting engineer OF
the department to make personal inspection.
the department. and Dr' Pease the directer Of the
laboratory. paid a personal visit to Mount Klsco
and the adjoining towns for the purpose OF study
ing the outbreak OF typhoid fever and investgat- |
ing local conditions. An inspector OF the depart
ment also sent there for the purpose Of To-
eating conditions that should be abated. and owl I
the rules were being violated and where there was
AS result peremptory orders. directed TO the /
Mount Kisco and Brewsters. were Issued with /
orders that the boards OF health should at be
order' Our inspector was directed 70 make a sub
sequent inspection of these places to see IL the /
orders OF the local boards OF health complied
The Montenore Home. on the Croton water shed. /
or he which hsyS Been aPptoye 9b y
the department. and 1t Will be installed at once.
Verona as to- the length OF time Which 4 ,akes 70
office no violations OF the sewage rules have been /
enacted by the law. and therefore had no oppor-
New York has been proceeding. as Indicated in
provisions of the public health law in protecting
its water supply but has relied upon the power OF
etc. which, as understand II. was /
declared by the provisions Of the so-called Apgar
Your attention Is Respectfully called to an act
which has Just passed the Legislature. introduced
County, entitled An act to authorize the city OF
New. York and the yillage OF Mount Kisco, West
agreement to provide for the disposal the sewage
sSIG ys e ana 70 allow the city Of New York
about said village and to raise funds carry such
this act. should it become law ana the agree
ments be entered into. probably would relieve the
This entire matter is subject that has been of
grave concern to the department, and have heen
ready and willing at all times any action in
the matter which would facilitate the
or a sewage system for the village Of Mount Eisco
ana relieve the apparent dangerous conditions
/ recently sent TO Health Commissioner Darling
ton communication, in which I urged upon the
city OF New York the construction Of n modern
hltraton plant as being, in my judgment the only
safe and proper way to adequately protect the
water supply OF the city. II the Attorney General
action in this matter which will relieve the situa-
ton / shall do so at once. II is apparent how
ever, IL litigation must be entered into over the
matter at issue. that II will defer relief of the
existing condition for several years. The end
sought is a speedy removal of the existing condi-
lions, which can only be accomplished by a modern
filter system, with sewage disposal plant for the
treatment Of the sewage
II the bill above referred does not accom-
plish the desired effect the subject is which
might very properly become a matter for legIs-
lation, but to the form such legislation should
take It would appear to be a subject for careful
study.
The department while always willing and anx-
ious under circumstances of this kind or in an
emergency to do anything in its power to assist
10 undertake continuous and detailed protection of
its extensive watershed. Such protection thorongh
and systematic, is provided for and intrusted 10
the city Department of Health and of Water Sup |
ply, Gas and Electricity. In this important work |
the state department will gladly aid
FRED L. LARAWAY SENT TO PRISON.