New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-12
HITCH IN SEWAGE PLAN
New Jersey Delays Agreement as
to Passaic Project.
NEW SUIT is THREATENED
Resident of This State Says he
May Bring Action That VIII
Hold Up the Work.

A serious hitch, that made New lorh
representatives wonder whether New Jer-
sew was sincere in her offer To compromise
the suit brought against her in the United
States Supreme Court To prevent the carry
ing out OF The Passaic Valley Sewage COM
MISSIONS plans. developed yesterday In the
efforts OF the representatives OF the two
states TO come to an understanding. one
OF the men who have been active In the ne"t
against the pollution Of New fork's waters
since the beginning OF tho trouble, in 1903,
declared last night that II worst came 10
worst taxpayers suit would be brought
I'm the Supreme Court OF the United Sta'es
10 enjoin New Jersey from constructing
tho Passaic Valley sewer.
II was when the hearing before Special
Commissioner James ID. Maher adjourned
last Tuesday In order that the two states
might discuss the offer Of arbitration made
nv New Jersey. was resumed In the alder
manic chamber In the City Hall yesterday
morning that the hitch came to the sur
face The committee Of three experts from
each side which had been appointed to set
tie the technical differences preparatory tc
the drawing up Of the definite agreement by
the lawyers. reported that 1t had been una
BILE 10 reach an agreement. The New Jer-
sey representatives asked for more time
and the hearing had to be set over foi
another week. New York's forces look upon
this as the first step on the part OF New
Jersey toward backing down from hel
proposition. according to The Tribune's in
| formant.
Ever since the sewage matter began, ir
| 1893" he said last night, New Jersey has
| always been unwilling to treat with us
Whenever the attempt was made and
| things seemed to be progressing favorably
| something always happened that made New
Jersey retire The situation now looks very
much like bad faith TO me. I should like
| to give the Jersey lawyers credit for bent
sincere in the matter Perhaps 1t is thu
persons back OF them who think New Yorl
will give in.
but New York won't. She is going e
fight this matter through to the end, ant
II the present action fails I'm its purpose
myself will bring a taxpayers suit in thu
Supreme Court 10 prevent Jersey IRON
dumping millions of gallons Of filth ever,
day into our front yard. | can do tina
because | own property In the section
through which the sewer Is to pass, though
I am not resident there"
He would base his suit. the speaker con
| tnued. on the ground that the tunnel un
I, der Newark Bay and out to Robbins Reef
was a needless expense. IF he could force
| the state to end its sewer in it's own bay II
would doubtless show more eagerness &c
| purify the sewage. However. he observed
he would not care what happened 10 the
sewage so long as 1t did not empty into
| New York Bay.
Such a suit" The Tribune's informant
went on. would hold up the building oil
| the sewer another four or five years, IL II
| did no more than that. BY that time We
| hope sanitation and public opinion VII
| have advanced so that there will be nc
| question about their purifying the sewage
| Another point in our favor Is the fact tna1
| five OF the twenty municipalities with
| which the Passaic Valley Commission was
| to contract have refused to sign up, leav
| ing a burden which the remaining nfteer
| may he reluctant to bear
| The immediate cause OF the hitch, il was
| said was New Jerseys determination e
| base her agreement with New York on hei
| own contract with the federal government
by which she agreed to filter her sewage
| so that it would not obstruct navigation
| I'm New York Bay. New York was not will.
/ ing 10 accept this proposal because OF the
| many lOopholos In the contract by which
| New Jersey might evade II.