New-York tribune., 1908-03-23
WHY AMERICA MOURNS.
4 Grim Prospect of National DesOlation.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Your editorial to-day Suffolk County
Water Rights" has brought grief to the entire
country. All may not know it now, but they
will when the facts known. Obviously you
are entirely unfamiliar with the matter upon
which you have written. The all-wise Creator
put the water above. around, on and below Suf-
folk county because He wanted and needed every
drop where He put it What if some man should
Ilant him a beautiful park, and when after years
of culture il had grown TO great beauty he
should then by of trenches drain it until
it was withered into desert? The opinion
which men would have of such man will be
the opinion which future generations will have
of those who would divert the waters of Suffolk
county from their natural courses For Suffolk
county is not only the garden spot of New
York State but of the East II supplies the
tables of the East not only with choicest small
vegetables. but with potatoes and caulif1ower. to
the amount of 100000 annually. Plans
are maturing double and treble this
in the next five years There is
surplus water going 10 waste" on Long
Island All the waters there, above, around,
under il, the sources of its lakes and
streams. Let the New York Brooklyn Water
Supply Company tap and take water from Suffolk
county anywhere, and in that hour viii the
garden spot of the East forever wither and
its vegetation be killed.
Again: The choicest fish. CLAIMS and oysters in
country grow in Suffolk County, Great South
Bay. which forms its southern border for sixty
miles. Here grow the far famed Blue Point oys-
ters. The yield of the Great South Bay and ad-
jacent bays in fish and bivalves is another So O0O-
60 annually Plans foot TO double and
treble this amount the next five or ten years
The surplus waste water" of which you speak
flowing through the veins beneath the surface of
Suffolk County into its bays, gives life and flavor
to these fish and bivaves. The fish OF the
also have their appointed times in and
drink il. Shall permit these underground
streams be diverted from their legitimate and
God-giyen courses. thereby killing all our fish and
bivalVes, and with them all the duck and geese
cut of waters This is but begin the list
OF the loss and despoliation that would follow
the country at large. New York City could not
Indemnify Suffolk County for its waters in a
thousand years II the water of Suffolk County
brings comfort and convenience to a million of
Greater New York, il would bring eternal ruin to
million whom II rightfully belongs to take
il away. II would make barren desert island OF
what now s the most beautiful garden and popu-
lar watering place OF the East
Already these humanitarian water companies
have cut down d swath OF forest the whole
length of Suffolk County across private property.
without saying by your leave" to any one-a
fair sample no doubt Of the way these same ruth
less despDilers would appropriate its waters,
failing a loss in property OF untold millions of
dollars not speak OF The ruined hopes and lives
OF tens OF thousands OF people.
Where New York City get its water supply? |
That ID the affair Of New York City and not Of