The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-11-22

SuppliSSy Lie SOYefuOF 5dlu L0dJ IQeT6
were approximately 900 square miles
Of unappropriated watershed from
which about 100000 900 gallons daily
might be developed by the construc-
ton Of the necessary works. OF the
sources available the governor pointed
out that only the upper Passaic and
the upper Raritan were entirely with
in the state and could be developed
without interstate considerations. The
lower Ramapo, while in New Jersey
might require works in New York 1
developed most advantageously. The
Waikiki and Pochnck rivers, rising in
New Jersey, flow into New York, SO
that interstate rights are involved.
The Musconetcong, Pohatcong, Pc.
quest, Beaver Brook, Paulins Kill and
Flatbrook, in Sussex and Warren coun.
ties, are ali tributaries of the Della
ware, and Pennsylvania would have to
be consulted in their development.
The possibilities of the Delaware
river for portable supplies and for in
dustrfal purposes were touched upon
briefly by the governor, who said that
commission composed of three men
each from New Jersey, New York and
Pennsylvania had been created to
study the uses of the stream and to
make recommends He advo.
Gated the holding OF the stream to
prevent federal seizure and said he
had directed the attorney general
to fight any efforts of the federal au.
thorities to take possession of 1t un.
der the powers given it by congress
sional enactment.
Wants Shore Towns Protected
Needs Of the shore towns from the
Highlands to Belmar also were touch.
ed upon with the declaration that the
people there must be protected both
as to supply and from oyercharging
at the hands of private concerns.
Speaking of the Wanaque develop.
ment, the governor said that tenta.
tive allotments of the available water
from that source indicated that the
100000 gallons would be needed al.
most at once on completion. 1t had
been estimated that the north Jersey
district would have a population OF
100000 by 1860, which would require
supply of 640.O00,00o gallons daily.
'The state is confronted with q
most confused condition-the short.
age Of water, the struggle between
municipalities for supplies, the own.
ership of supplies divided between
municipal and private control, de-
struction of supplies by pollution g
their acquisition by private interests
and retrogression due to the inac.
tiyity of municipalities" the governor
said. 1.-THE necessary consequence oil
these factors is the throwing of the
whole question into the political
arena. Some action must be taken al
once to remedy the present condi
ton"
Discussing the advantages of state
ownership, which he said he did not
favor as a general rule, the governor
would be the reduction of interest
charges which municipalities are
obliged to pay on their water bonds
Newark, he said, would be relieved oil
interest charge on $17,000,000 worth
of bonds. Another benefit would be
the elimination of private profit.
Consider Jitney Pleas
During the proceedings before Part
II of the supreme court involving ap
plication for writs of certiorari to re
view the proceedings before the Pub
lie Utilities Commission instigated by
the Public Service Railway Company
to enjoin the alleged Illegal operation
of utneys the court announced that
1t would consider 38 additional ap
plications for writs besides the two
regularly listed on the calendar. The
validity of the Hates and Elliot acts
regulating buses and the jurisdiction
of the Public Utilities Commission
are involved in the certiorari proceed
ings. Following adjournment q
court Frank H. Sommer, one OF the
counsel for the bus owners, filed with
the clerk of the court notice of Ger
tiorari proceedings in 126 cases, al
involving similar questions. Decision
was reserved in the two cases
The argument before the court wat
concluded by William H. Speer, ap
pearing for the Public Service Rail
way Company, and George L. Record
associated with Mr, Sommer and
George F. Seymour. Jr., as counsel
for the bus owners. Mr.. Speer argued
that the Public Service Railway is
conducting public utility for the
convenience of the public and that il
should not be jeopardized by unlt
censed competition. He said that the
legislature intended to protect leg ii
mate corporations in the exercise OF
their franchises.
Sees Litigation as Endless
Mr.. Speer contended writs of Ger
tiorari should not be allowed at the
present juncture to review the cases
pending before the Utilities Commits
sion and that even should the court
grant such writs they should net be
accompanied by writs of supersedees
an.