Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-01-17
RETIRING,
SENDS WARMING
ON WATER GRAB
CONTINUED from First Page,

the McCran water bill, the object and
purpose of which law was to prevent
the diversion of s~ub-surface water
from this State TO any other State by
any private water company.
ut would seem to be wise for the
Legislature to take action on this
pending proposition and to make
reasonable protestation to the United
States in regard to the subject matter
contained In the paper herewith trans
mitted.
IF the United States government de-
sires to ecure water from the State
of New Jersey for the purpose of sup
plying its fortihcatlons on Staten
Island, it would seem that there should
be no difficulty in accomplishing this
result without resorting TO the method
of condemnation proposed in these pro-
~ceedings. II the United States itself Is
intending to construct water-works and
necessary pipe lines to supply its forti-
hcations, and that matter were made
clear to the Legislature, it would seem
that coed neighborhood and patriotic
spirit should assent to the proposition
by proper legislative enactment.
IhuANuNG1s
1.-The fact that this course has not
been pursued. and that The paper which
was served upon the Governor was
served through the private counsel of
the Hudson Water Company. indicates
that behind this application OF the
government is this private self-seeklnG
company. This is a matter requiring
prompt action on the part of the Legis-
lature, and 1t might be wise thai il
should be presented to the secretary
OF war, and, If necessary, to the Presi-
dent, by a special committee appoint
ed from the Legislature to repair to
the capitol at Washington, that he
actual situation may be made known to
the national authorities, and some
agreement should be entered into be-
tween the national authorities and the
state permitting them, if they desire,
to secure such water ss may be neces-
sary to supply the fortications. but
preventing any private from
acquiring any rights.
The people OF New Jersey are broad
minded and public-spirited. They
would not have the least objection to
the government securing such a water
supply as II may need for it's FORTH
cations, but they will protest vigor-
ously against Transporting the sub
surface waters of this State into Staten
Island for the purpose of aggrandizing
q private water company.
Your attention is hereby called to
the message of the Governor, trans
mitted to the Senate on March 2s, 1910.
when the McCran water bill was pend
ing before that body.
should Protect Public Interest.
THE people of this State have made
vigorous protest against any private
water company controlling In any way
its potable water supply. and the Legis-
lature should not leave anything I'M
done to protect the public interest in
this regard.
IN my annual message sent to the
Legislature at this session, 1t was rec
commended hat proceedings be at once
AIKEN to prevent any private water
company from exercising the power
of eminent domain df such power now
exists in any such company, and also
that an act be passed prohibiting any
private water company from exercis-
ing the power of condemnation pos
sessed by any municipality for the pur-
pose of condemning my of the surplus
potable waters of this State for sale
by such private water company.
Application has been made TO the
court within the last few days for the
appointment of commissioners to con-
denim such surplus potable waters. by
private water companies, through the
authority conferred by various munich
pal charters in the northern section of
this State. These proceedings are now
on review In certiorari and 1t would
be wise that this legislation should he
speedily passed. The time has arrived
when the municipalities Of this state
should nave these waters conserved for
their purposes exclusively. and il such
waters are TO be sold outside the State
they should be so sold by the State
only, In order that the interests of our
own people may he protected for all
time.
Question Is Vital.