The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-20
LEsHER WATER
BILL HELD UP
NIT NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH
CAME NEAR PUTTING ONE
OVER ON SUFFOLK.
WEST GETS IN GAME
BILL TAKEN Up AS SPECIAL ORDER
IN SENATE - NO CON
CLUsIoN Is REACH
WEST GETS IN GAME

Norfolk and Portsmouth reckoucd
without Suffolk when they agreed last
week on amendments 10 the Lesner
water bill Ard the two cities on the
Elizabeth came near Putting one over
on Colonel J. +. West who learned
after the committee meeting that the
bin allowed Norfolk to condemn the
Suffolk water supply.
The bill was taken up on a special
order in the Senate Yesterday at L.: 70
O'Clock. Colonel West FIRST attempted
to have the measure passed by. Failing
he offered an amendment providing
that in case the Lake kilby supply
is condemned by Norfolk the city Of
Suffolk viii be furnished with water
at the same rates as Norfolk and
Portsmouth. Debate lasted until ad-
9ournment.
The Lesner bin as introduced per-
mitted towns of more Lnan 10000 pop
ulation to condemn wax er supplies in
order TO acquire municipal plants. This
would have allowed the city of Nor
folk to have taken over by condenna-
ton proceedings the Portsmouth.
Berkeley and Suffolk Company. which
supplies Portsmouth. Berkeley ara
Suffolk with water.
Portsmouth people learning OF the bill
knew II Norfolk acquired the Lake
Kilhy supply ii could cut off Ports
mouth, which would be left drier tban
one of The prohibition States-
a large delegation from Portsmouth
appeared last week before the Senate
Committee on Counties, Cities and
Towns opposing The bill. An amend
ment added, which was satisfactory TO
Portsmouth. provided that in case the
water company's plant was condemned
the city Of Portsmouth must he sup
,pIjed with water by the city or Nor
folk at the came rate as charged Nor
folk folks suffolk. which Is within
a mile of the plant. was overlooked.
If Norfolk condemned the supply thei
was no law in the State TO require
Norfolk to suppiy. Suffolk with water.
Colonel Vests Amendment.
The amendment Colonel West wants
added provides that Suffolk shall pe
given the same advantages as PORTS
,no,,,b. Portsmouth would have NOT
been protected, Colonel WEST Urrnirru
Yesterday had not Norfolk feared Inc
Portsmouth delegation would defeat
the bill.
bill, is the reason | did not go TO the
cemmltte meeting" said Col. West
II thought it was "A purely local bill.
I'm, l find its purpose is tn take away
Suffolk's water supply and give 1t TO
Norfolk"
Does not a corporation now own
the SUPPLY asked MIR. Lcsner.
Yes, was the reply.
We'll then, continued Lesnef.
''whv do you prefer that corpora
ton serve you instead OF paying NOT
folk for your supply?
For this reason. We DO not Want
TO come under the domination of Nor
folk. When Norfolk learned that
Portsmouth would fight the bill. an
amendment was added giving Ports
mouth equal adve ntages. All ] ask is
that Suffolk also be treated squarely.
Portsmouth and SUN pix have the
same supply Portsmouth kicked and
was protected. Now YOU propose 10
leave Suffolk out in the cod Ports
mouth is willing 10 deal fair. She
recognizes that Suffolk has some
rights.
Norfolk short Of Water.
Norfolk is short of water because
of lack of business foresight. ! don't
believe Norfolk has enough money to
buy the supply"
Mr.. Hart, of Roanoke. favored the
bin as II was at first drawn and
Thought Portsmouth should agree. lie
wanted the amendment offered by
Portsmouth and the one offered by
Col. West voted down. In reply to a
question by Mr.. Walker. he said he
had no objection to the bill's being
general In its application, leaving off
the provision that allows only cities
Of so, 900 Formulation or more to con
denim supplies.
Mr.. Walker declared II the principle
was right there was no reason why
all cities should not condemn or ac-
auire by purchase any water supply.
He said there was too much legisla-
ton general in character that applied
to localities alone; that II was in Yio-
lation of the spirit of the constitution.
An amendment proftered by Mr..
Walker, which was. drawn by Mr.,
Mapp. embodied MIR. Walkers Ideas,
It provides than any municipality may
acquire q water supply
Adjournment Was taken In the
midst Of the argument. This bill will
fr taken up again today Colonel
Vest tset.fHfess Ne WIN oppose sasSer h4ili
allowing Norfolk TO appropriate the
Suffolk water supply unless Suffolk is
to be given the same rates as Norfolk.