New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-21
WATER POWER VICTORY
State May Lose Expected In
come from Storage Plan.
HUGHES PROJECT I'M PERIL
Senate Fails TO Reconsider Mer.
rift Observation-Disclosures
with Interests.
~ rslsxr,nh 70 The Tribune. l


Alhany. May a-Legislators interested in
the development of state scheme of water
storage which should produce q revenue of
millions of dollars for the state are greatly
perturbed az an apparent victory won by
water power interests to-day. This victory,
while not decisive. they fear indicates a
degree of strength on the part of the
power company people which may enable
them 10 win far more important victory
next week That victory might cost the
state most of the expected income TO be
derived from the water storage project.
Particularly alarm is felt at this time be
cause the leaders in both houses Of the
LEGISLATURE are believed to be fighting the
battles of the water power interests. As
semblyman Merritt has appeared openly on
their side. and declares to everybody con-
cerned that he will do whatever the water
power interests desire He himself is in
terested in private water power develop
nent enterprises Senator Grady is said
to be on the side Of the water power in
terests. while Senator Cobb comes from
Waterfront. the centre of water power in
dustries.
Senator Asnew. acting for the Society
for the Preservation of the Adirondacks
to-day endeavored 70 have reconsidered the
vote by which the Senate yesterday passed
Mr. Merritt's constitutional amendment
permitting water storage on state lands
This Is the constitutional change over
which the water power fight has ragged in
other years. This Merritt resolution was
passed on the statement that II had the ap-
prevail of the society. the water power PEG
pie and everybody else interested. Senator
Agnew declared to-day that the Adiron-
dacks society was opposed 20 the wording
Of the Merritt proposition and believed II
should be changed. Senator Coats de
Tended IL and denounced the society as a
band of wealthy rnen who feared their pri-
waite parks would be disturbed
Cobb Defends Resolution.
Senator Cobb also defended the resolu-
ton. declaring that no constitutional
amendment ever would be passed which
satisfied everybody This one. he asserted.
protected the state in every particular and
should not be reconsidered. as failure to
act on it at this session Of the Legislature
would mean delay of several years.
Thereupon. on motion of Senator Coats, the
Senate tabled Senator Agnew's motion TO
reconsider the vote which passed the reso-
luton by vote OF Is 10 9.
To become effective the amendment must
be adopted by two successive legislatures
and be ratified by a vote OF the people.
This phase of the situation, however, is
not regarded as nearly so serious as
deadlock on certain legislation favored by
the State Water Supply Commission which
AssemblyInan Merritt has forced. This
legislation provides machinery for the gen
eral water storage scheme, the building of
tire reservoirs the taking of the necessary
land, and the like. 1t provides also for the
payment of the costs and the production Of
revenue from the sale of the water and
water power developed. IT was worked out
after numerous consultations IN which the
commission Governor Hughes, who has
this project very deeply at heart; Mr.. Mer-
rift, representatives of the societies inter-
ested in protecting the Adirondacks and
water power people took part at various
times.
An agreement was reached and finally a
bill drafted which was satisfactory 20
everybody save on the one point-conlpen-
sation 20 the state. The Water Supply
Commission believed the state should issue
fondg 10 pay for the improvements, these
bonds 20 be retired in fifty years, the bene
hciaries from the water storage improve
ments meanwhile being taxed yearly a
sum sufficient 10 pay the interest and sink
ing fund on the bonds. At the end OF that
time the commission wanted ownership 20
vest in the state and q proper sum 20 be
paid for use of the water or the water
power.