New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-28
WATER BOARD REPLIES
AnS1cers Criticisms, Which. 1t Says,
Are Delaying the York.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

Sir: The criticism of the city Of New York in
the exercise of wise foresight sup
ply OF pure and wholesome water for the city -
the result either OF interested motives. mis-
Information. lack OF information. The wise
foresight referred to the result OF the exercise
of the judgment OF the people OF the city OF New
York. its civic bodies. the press and the official
servants of the city covering period of discus
sion and investigation of eight years. the
outcome of which was the passage OF a manda-
tory law requiring the Board of Water Supply 10
proceed Immediately and with all reasonable
speed to secure additional supply OF pure and
wholesome water for the city Of New York
The effect of this criticism is to delay and i'm
pede the operation Of great work of necessity
These criticisms assuming form in the investi-
cation pending by the Cassidy committee ap-
pointed by the Legislature TO look into the finances
OF the city of New York. and may be reduced 10
certain general propositions statements. which
are herewith set forth. with answer 10 each:
statement-The Board of Water Supply is re
sponsible for a vast expense in the acquiring of
Rg p TR BosPd OF Mafgr ppy & not
spo9siole for the acquiring OF property through
papers in which the advertisements to appear:
It does not ask the court for the appointment OF
the commissioners Of appraisal nor fix the compen-
matters does the Board Of water Supply have
power Of control, or jurisdiction. The law ixes
Of the Board Of Water supply is to receive the
noration co1nse py aner f aonfs 2ed therein
on its books and forward the same to the Con-
function is Simply that of bookkeeping, and nothing
Chapter 724. Laws of 1905. provides for the &C
gutring Of property through contemplation proceed
There is NO Vast EXPENSE in this matter In the
monthly report OF the Board Of Water Supply the
ceedngs are no criterion Of the exact relative
OF such proceedings and Of the amount OF awards
lures which have to be made TO cover reports now
in progress, the awards for which have not been
its report in full can exact and definite analysis
be made of the relative cost Of advertising counsel
fees, etc, compared with the amount of the
awards which have been made and are to be made
no just and fair statement of the cost Of condemna
The coHsftao8 nA Of f the State Of New York Art
Gle l, Section 7, provides that when private prop
peSH S S9 ba a f5 fh R USE sf be
ascertained by jury or by not less than three
shall be prescribed by law. The Legislature, in
law Wl po faf O @ method Of R
property through condemnation proceedings All
Whn the ro1so aso Of R SsS mat
sbffe9 to s B6aE Of 9 ol sn and K61oGo
ment approved by Il, and after due hearing sp-
afterward changed from the crossing at New Ham
burg TO a point approximately ten miles fqrtnea
OF line is alleged to have been made in the interest
Of real estate syndicates; -,-
of line submitted to the Board Of Estimate and
Water supply Commission at its hearing. was that
in the Judgment of the engineers and Of the geol-
ogS1s VINO ana c65 he No ee econo
ically and better laid out at the point as finally
change Of plan was passed upon by Professor
Crosby of the Institute Of Technology OF Massas
Columbia University distinguished biologists These
gentlemen personally investigated the line OF the
proposed aqueduct and the crossing or tne Huoson
River az Storm King and approved or tne c 39
Of plan; the Grange was aRgToTeH y II 10 the
Board OF Estimate and Apportionment. met It's ap-
SnppIv Commission and approved by it. No one
appeared in opposition. although the hearings were
sible for any who so desired 10 appear anu
oppose. -, .z4.+o
nans sS6Wing the names Of owners according to
and PeeI w M fb Boar Of Estimate
and Apportionment: the title thereto Is ai5eIw ara
as the records show. with the possible exception
of one or cases. the owners al present are those
mitted to the Board OF Estimate and Apportion-
ment- -. ~. c..o -
New York provide for the appointment OF eoIn mus
Also nTovide that these commissioners of appraisal
when appointed shall take the oath Of office re
of New York, and their duty is, after taking suGn
OATH to view the property and Iray ana a. rst
Vines az hearings which are open the public 1t
of the possible owner or change Of owners II Is
StatementEThe Board Of Water Supply does not
take into consideration the debt limit IN us eA-
RepiyGIt is not the function Of the Board Of Wa
tor Supply to pass upon the debt limit II Is not
the financial trustee of the city OF New 1ork Inc
ter debt which pays for itself by the sale or
w, ter Is not within the debt limit. The duty Of
the Board OF Water Supply IS to secure with the
utmost speed supply of water, in accordance Win
The nrovisions of Chapter 1874 Of the Laws or 1900
nder which It is acting. It submitted to the Board
Of ats ard c69 OF @ NAP e Board f1 Of
r. +{1nata and Apportonment approved this ran
I'd estimate and upon such action the city of New
Yorl, applied to the Water Supply Commission OF
tIc safe Of New York for its approval, and upon
tbe mgp plan estimate and Representations OF
The ritv of New York, the State OF New fork;
ttro,,,,L its Water Supply Commission, approved
such pIans and consented 70 the city OF New YORK
to1rinft water from the CatskiU Mountains
II sccord4nce with this action, and with due re
e,.rJ 10 it's duty, the Board of Water Supply has
go 70 the Board of Estimate and ApportionrlenL