Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-04-15
RIGHT
To OWN WATERS
WILL Be TESTED
Congressman viii Fight Against
Federal Aid for water
Snake"
Especial to the Newark Star.

WASHINGTON, April 15.-The right
OF New Jersey as a sovereign state, as
well as the government in its conceded
federal authority. TO conserve natural
resources bids fair TO be almost as In
teresting a feature of the present SEES
sion OF Congress rs the Canadian reel
prooity and farmers tariff relief bits
now pending In the House of reprs-
sentatives.
As previously told in the Newark
Stars the Democratic members Of the
New Jersey delegation ~endeavored to
ascertain Ia their official capacity as
representatives why the government
appeared to be, rs court records show,
so anxious to force New Jersey, despite
her prohibitory laws which the court
of last resort has admitted to be sound,
10 permit a private corporation to di-
vert water from the State, ostensibiy
to supply a few United States army
posts on Staten Island.
Real Motive Not known.
On inquiring at what might be con-
sidered the proper source Of informa-
ttOh dti0 CAiStLi6 -
New Jersey Congressman found that
neither the Wa or Judiciary Depart
ments of the government appeared to
be any too we'll informed as to the
real motive back of what Is regarded
in west Jersey as an apparent effort
IN the part of the government to null
lily New Jersey laws in behalf OF .
private corporation which has sought
a--t--a. -.-A-- 4-Lk1 - aa&A-
ern New Jersey.
It fell to the lot of ConGressrnea
Townsend and Mccoy, representing as
they do the Essex County district from
which the Hudson County Water Com
peny had agreed TO furnish Its supply
to Staten island. to take the lead In
seeking necessary Information. They
learned. indirectly, that a twenty
year contract--in one-year cycles-sub-
jeet to renewals had actually been
made with the Hudson County Water
Company to supply posts on Staten
Island with a supply of pure ana
wholesome water to be obtained from
the nainiand Of New Jersey.
Letter discovered.
The company now alleged to be In the
hands of a receiver, had received pay
ment In 1910 for water furnished, but
were unable, according to the evidence
offered, to determine whether 1t came
from New Jersey or not. That an
effort 10 secure water from New Jer-
sey through the medium of the Hud-
son Water Company OIL otherwise was
made apparent through h discovery
by Congressman Mccoy of the follow
ing letter from Secretary of War Dick
inson to Chairman Hull, of the last
House committee on military affairs,
The letter. which is dated December
5, 1910, after stating the urgent need
for an additional water supply on
Staten Island, to be obtained from the
most available point. presumably the
mainland of New Jersey, says, in part:
For the time being and until the
completion of the water system for
New York city, which is now under
construction and which when completed
will relieve the existing situation on
Staten Island; the only method OF OBJ
tanning an adequate water supply Is to
secure 1t in the adjoining State of New
Jersey. To enable such a supply to be
secured it is believed that Legislation
Is necessary. and the draft of an act
calculated to accomplish this purpose
il subjoined."
Proposed Act.
The proposed act referred to above
reads as follows:
Where 1t Is impraeticabie to obtain
g. sufficient supply of water OF proper
quality In the vicinity of any of the
Notifications or seacoast defenses OF
the United States, save at excessive
cost, the secretary of war is hereby au-
thorized to secure a supply of water
Of proper quality and quantity where 1t
can be obtained at reasonable cost in
a State other than that in which the
fertilization is situated, and 10 cause
or permit the laying OF the necessary
mains and water connections in or be-
meath the ~navigable waters of the
United States"
While they have as yet taken no
definite action concerning what may
be necessary to do the New Jersey
Representatives are determined TO
have the national government 30 on
record as repudiating any desire on the
part of the war or judiciary depart
ments attempting in the interest Of q
private corporation. or otherwise to
nullify the existent laws of any State,
more particularly those relating to the
conservation of such q natural and g.