New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-02-28
BALL[NGERRESCUES
S4VES FINE F4LLEY
San Francisco Uisked to Use
Hetch-Hetchy as Reservoir.
TFrcrn The tribune Bureau

TFrcrn The Tribune Bureau
Washington. Feb E-Secretary Bailinser
hes taken the first step toward the can
collation. Of the Garfield order. by which IL
was proposed TO food the beautiful Hetch-
fse,chr Valley. in the Yosemite National
PARK in order 20 afford water s"Ppis
for the CITY OF san Francisco and its sub
4lrbs Judge Balinger has advised the
Mayor and Supervisors OF, san Francisco
that. in the estimation Of the Geological
Survey and the Reclamation Service. they
can secure an abundant water supply from
sources other than the Hetch-Hetchy' and
has called upon them 20 show cause why
he should not cancel the order or ms preo-
ecesso- 10 the extent o. resembling that
portion Of the Garfield permit which ~oa'a
have pern7it;ed the conversion OF the
Retch-Eetchy into reservoir.
Ever since the public realized that under
the Garfield permit the Hetch-Hetchy val
lev was TO be converted into a reservoir
there has been insistent protest against
the proposition. California members OF
Congress bare meanwhile sought to induce
Congress 10 confirm by legislative enact
ment the order of Nj. Garfield. while Sec
retary Rallineer has had most thorough
Investigation Of the physical conditions con-
Quoted by the federal experts with inc re
suit that he finds no good reason Tor per
hitting this Dissertation OF valley far
famed for its great natural beauty
Secrerarv Hitchcock emphatically refused
70 grant the request OF the MAJOR ana
Supervisors and later Secretary Metcah
conducted an investigation and also refused
20 advise the permit The opponents OF the
proposition have all along commended that
there we're other available sources OF supply
Cor The city Of San Francisco, but " hen Sec
Rotary Garfield rendered his decision he laid
down the extra ordinary proposition ihaf
in considering the reinst&ted application
Of the city Of San Francisco. do not need
20 pass upon the claim that this is tie only
practicable and reasonable source a. water
supply for the city. II Is sufficient thar
after careful and competent study she off
Gals 81 the city insist that such is the
case This is the proposition which has
been absolutely reversed b. Secretary Bal
linger. who has caused the most careful in
vest!sation TO he conducted other
sources Of water supply, as well as having
personally examined the conditions last
Summer in company with John Muir and
others.
When the bill of Representative Smith, OF
California was before the House Commit
i've Herbert Parsons made a ca e1ul study
Of the subject and prepared q minority ad-
verse report on Il. He took issue With the
contention % Secretary Garfield that 1.-The
public interest meant a water supply for
San Francisco" and affirmed The finding OF
Secretary Hitchcock that public interest
meant the preservation OF the natural curl
osities and wonders in their natural condi-
ton
IN conclusion. Afr. Parsons said: 'Unwill-
ing though would be 10 deny 10 San Fran
Francisco the use of Hetch-Hetchy if II
was essential storage reservoir fer
municipal water supply. a condition that
seems not TO exist unless II be that Il is
essential because II can be got from the
federal government for next 10 nothing !
believe that owe 81 10 ell the reople TO
preserve Hetch-Hetchy uninterfered with
for the Use and enjoyment of all The people
and 20 carry out the policy intended when
Il was included within the boundaries Of
the Yosemite National Park
To determine the necessity Of retaining
Hetch Hetchy within the terms Of the per
NIT. Secretary Ballinger in October last
instructed Director George Otis Smith of
the Geological Survey. and Engineers Hill
and Hopson, of the Reclamation Service TO
Investigate the subject
These officials have rendered their re-
ports and concur in the conclusion that
tire Lake Eleanor project is amply suf1-
Gent TO meet the present and prospective
needs Of the city.