New-York tribune., 1908-04-19
THE SARATOGA SPRINGS
Citizens' Committee Replies to Con-
tentions of Gas Companies.
the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: I noticed IN The Tribune OF last Sunday a
communication signed by John c. Minor jr., in
which the writer seeks 10 defend the course pur-
sued by his company and some other companies
at Saratoga Springs which are pumping the nat
ural carbonio acid gas from the mineral water
basin.
I address you chairman OF the citizens
mittee that. behalf OF the taxpayers OF Sara
toga Springs, is in charge OF the movement 10 re-
store the Saratoga mineral springs and the pres
tige OF Saratoga Springs as national health re-
sort The names of the members OF the commit
tee should be a sufficient assurance that they
engaged IN no personal attack on Mr. Minor The
committee has preferred 10 take ths facts IN re-
gard TO the situation OF the mineral springs from
the opinion and decision OF Judge Spencer in the
case OF HathoEn agt- Strong rather than the
opinions OF young Mr.. Minor.
On the trial OF the case above mentioned experts
OF national reputation testified Rudolph Herring.
eminent hydraulic and sanitary engineer; DR..
n. NJ Ami. OF Ottawa. Canada professional
geologist and paleontologist In the employ of the
Canadian government, and Professor Charles T.
Chandler. head OF the department. OF chemistry IN
Columbia University and other witnesses testified
to the general interdependence OF Saratoga mineral
waters and their general physical underground
connection They all agreed practically with DR.
Chandler, who testified that. from his knowledge
OF the different kinds OF water that appeared at
the surface IN the natural springs Of Saratoga he
could tell with reasonable certainty that they all
from the same common source James Il
Baker. a practical engineer and machuisr, who
has had a lifelong experience IN tubing boring
and operating mineral springs and wells at sara
toga, testified that there is connection between
all the different springs; that II you pump one
down and allow the gas 10 how freely IL VIII affect
all the others
DR.. Herring also testified as follows, 7 can. for
instance. by pumping one Of these wells very long
and very strongly depIets all OF them
peculiar circumstance in the Saratoga mineral
water basin is the presence Of gas pressure. which
brings the water 10 the surface. the springs
not true artesian wells, Judge Spencer, after
carefully reviewing all the evidence. arrived az
certain conclusions. which he states IN his opinion.
and which cannot be shaken. He says:
This brings US to the third and present. period
which begins with the installation OF Power1u! deep
well pumps in many Of the wells and their cease
less oPsgst0a BY steam PS%ST 5 & Tst @ serious iiC f9
pated. think the evidence leads 10 the conclusion
that since the general inauguration OF pumps there
pressure In all the springs and wells and lessen
ing OF the fow Of water, and that IN many in.
such pumping be continued it will result in the de-
stFucIio o. az Lhe 1atI[al SPs4lss '-u -
alone. I think from this outline OF the history OF
men Of Science who have been called we may
safely conclude that all the Saratoga mineral va
the earth in a state OF percolation and that pump
ing upon one may seriously affect the force OF gas
and flow OF water IN another. Evidence in respect
10 instances where such results have been OBJ
served has has been given and what Is true OF these
SGngSn c aaaf m PqPm9g imp m & at e amy 9n1 & Of t94 we
gas ana fow o2 water in all other wei5 and springs
that draw their supply from that stratum
In his opinion Judge Spencer. in commenting on
the question OF what damages should be awarded
the plaintiffs. they having succeeded in the
ton. says:
damages. and there can be no question that their
once va luable property and business have been
think. been only a small and: am sure unin-
territorial factor in bringing about such results
caused sFesteT inJury 10 PaIntlLs spring makes
charging one tort feasor for the acts OF all Many
other wells pumped long before the defend
ants was drilled.
Many OF the statements made by Mr.. Minor
urged upon Judge Spencer. and voluminous testi-
mony given, but he decided against Mr.. Nj
nor's contention, and from his decision appeal
has ever been taken. although the gas companies
appreciated that the decision in this case affected
all OF them In fact, young Mr.. Minor testified for
the defence IN that action.
AS Will be seen, the citizens committee repre-
sents the almost unanimous sentiment OF the citi
zens and taxpayers OF Saratoga Springs. Their
work IS not undertaken on behalf OF any individual
or any spring or even on behalf OF the spring
owners themselves. There are other greater in
terests at stake which they do represent and
those relate TO the prosperity OF the village, whose
present business and reputation have been built
up solely upon its mineral springs.
The bill now before the Legislature seeks 70
make IL unlawful for these gas companies to con-
tinue the use OF these very powerful suction and
force pumps. Its provisions confined to that
class OF mineral waters holding in solution nat
ural mineral salts and excess OF carbonic acid
gas. Whatever may have been the history OF the
springs in the past the citizens committee pro-
poses 10 avail itself OF every possible means OF
preserving for the future these wonderful health
NOT beue Os thA
citizens OF Saratoga Springs but for those OF the
state and Of the nation and for that large mum
Der OF invaIids throughout the world who have
been benefited by the healing waters
WILLARD LESTER
Chairman OF the Citizens COMMITTEES
Saratoga Springs, y. Y, April s 1898.