New-York tribune., 1909-05-30
FAMOUS SPRINGS SAVED
BR4CKET'T BILL SIGNED.
GOTernOr Names Com mission to Gre
ate Saratoga Reservation.
TBy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

Albany. May 29-By signing tonight Senator
Brackets bill providing machinery by which a
state reservation at Saratoga Springs may be Gre
ated. Governor Hughes marked out policy which
many persons believe be the only method of
preserving for future generations those remarka bic
works Of nature, similar to those in Homburg At
the time he named a commission to select
and acquire property for this state reservation.
which is being received By those interested in the
bill with manifestations of much approval 1t is
composed of Edward NJ Shepard. of New York:
Spencer Trask, of Saratoga Springs, and Frank n.
Godfrey, of Olean, master of the State Grange.
The appointment of Mr.. Trask is especially CRATE
ful to his fellow townsmen.
This reservation bill has aroused great interest.
and numberless arguments for and against it
have poured into the Governor from all parts OF
the state. Practically this law embarks the state
on a mineral water business. and many argued
that If this successful. II would have to
be conducted after the fashion of the European
spas cures. involving great expense. On the
other hand, the condition of most of the springs
was shown to be critical, because of the pumping
of gas by natural carbonic gas companies in the
mineral spring belt. The law passed year or
two ago was declared constitutional, but found
nevertheless to be ineffective TO stop this gas
pumping AS a result, the springs yearly have
been running lower, the water has been less
charged with gas. was, in the opinion of ex-
perts given legislative committees and the Gov
ernor. only a question of a comparatively short
time when these remarkable springs, with their
unquestioned medicinal value, would be spoiled
completely.
This view of the case appealed to the Governor.
who held that the Saratoga springs in good con-
dition much New York State as
Niagara Falls. Also he desired to see Saratoga
Springs restored its condition before It became
a gambling centre, when it beautiful and
prosperous health resort, known all over the world
and patronized by persons of prominence from all
parts OF the country. The question of immediate
expense did enter into consideration. The
Bracket bill provides for bond issue of $4,000
to be expended, the commission selects and de-
termines, to buy spring property. 1t is entirely
probable that. with the springs properly protected
from the gas pumping concerns. the state VIII have
in this reservation income producer from the
beginning which in time will than pay for
itself
The policy adopted by the Legislature in pass
ing this bill" says the Governor, in a memoran-
dunn is justified by the Importance Of preserving
the the unique natural resources now
threatened with destruction. Experience in this
country and abroad has shown the advisabty OF
governmental intervention with respect TO mineral
springs of established therapeutic value, which the
rivaries private enterprise destroy, but can
never replace From a proper point Of view, the
present condition of the natural mineral springs
at Saratoga is A matter of grave concern TO the
state as whole and the public interest VIII be
conserved by suitable measures Of protection.