Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-11-09
S|LzER URGES
MATER ACTION
Makes Plea for State Control
of All Supply at Address
Made in Newark

the "confused state" in WhichEthe
water supply problem of north Jer-
sey at present finds itself. The gov
ernor sounded an alarm , for the
future by pointing to the drought
this year. He declared h a only by
\ consistent policy of conservation
oy the state of water n
he water needs of the state during
coming years be met.
AS a remedy the governor suggest
ed that the municipalities of New
Jersey be compelled to submit to
consolidation of existing water sys-
lens of public water supply and the
taking over of privately owned water
companies.
I'm taking over privately owned
water companies" explained the
governor, "the state need only take
that which 1t needs and will not be
compelled to pay an unjust rlout
20 the water companies. The state
should be Just, but it ought not to
pay an over-capitaliZation or for OBJ
solete systems or worn out plants
md equipment"
The aim of New Jersey, said the
~rovernor, should be the ownership
IF all sources of water supply.
After the state mas acquired the
water resources, said Mr.. Silzer. In
outlining his plan to members of the
commerce chamber, it should pro-
vide means for distribution TO the
cities. The state, according to the
plan, should sell water to the cities
At a reasonable wholesale price, and
the cities, in turn, are to distribute
the water to their inhabitants at re-
tail prices.
In defraying the cost of the gov
ernor's project, he said a bono issue
would be desirable. He would divide
the bonds into two classes, one class
for the payment of going plants
taken aver and the other class of Sc
eurities to be used to raise money for
new supplies.
The executive estimated that the
scheme outlined by him would need
$3.50, 900, 600 to accomplish 1t fully,
but he pointed out that the plan
would unfold itself gradually and
that it would be some time before
the whole sum was expended. He
said that the estimated cost for tax
ing over public and private water
works in the northern district of the
state has been placed at $70,00O,0OO
of which SIT, 600, 900 would &C to
private companies.
ut may be stated by way of OBJ
lection" said Mr.. Silzer, that this
Is an entry by the state into fields
of public ownership. This is not so
In the general sense III which the
word Is used. 1t has been clearly
demonstrated that in the matter of
water supply the best service can be
obtained through municipal or state
w o1.1IiA an1 thai tho dealing in
this commodity has not the objec-
tional features ordinarily incident to
public ownership. 1t is one thing
that should be owned by the public,
for only in this way can the public
protect itself and obtain the nee
essary advantages and convenien-
ees."
It was suggested that the way to
inaugurate such a plan was for the
Stats Chamber of Commerce and
other similar bodies study the situa-
ton and devise a remedy. The re-
sultant plan can then be placed
before the legislature for action.
Ths governor, however, sounded a
warning in this wise:
IF this great project is to be
made the football of politics with
all its accompanying Incompetence.
waste and extravaganza, it had bet
ter not be undertaken. 1t would be
better to continue our present un-
fortunate piecemeal policy"
In passing Mr.. Silzer arraigned the
municipal conflicts, the predatory
private interests. and the legislative
squabbles incident to the water sit
uation in New Jersey.
The state, then, is confronted
with a most confused condition-the
~ l,or4on n. 80 ,r,f1,. thn utra.U01D hn-
tween municipalities for supplies,
the ownership of supplied divided
bet5,een municipal and private ON
troll, destruction of sources of sup
ply by pollution or their acquisition
by private interests. and a retro
gression due to the inactivity of mu-
inequalities. The necessary conse-
uuence of all of these factors Is the
throwing of the whole question into
the political arena."
In addition to the benefit confer
red by having a definite state policy
with regard to water resources, thu
assuring, theoretically. at least, al
adequate supply of water TO the cit
les, the governor declared that priv
ate profits would be eliminated If hi
scheme were adopted.
AT the present time" he said
UllAdL6 water GDiHDdlllGo HdNt DtEl
given rights TO our watersheds, an(
we are now being charged a prof
on the water which we have giveI
these companies the right to take
They creep in between the state anC
consumer and take a profit. not only
upon legitimate sums invested, blu
frequently upon watered stock. rep.
resenting no investment. Among thu
privately-owned companies are thu
East Jersey Water Company, th'
Hackensack Water Company, thu
Plainfeld-Union Water Company
the Middlesex Water Company, thu
Elizabethtown Water Company, ant
others"
The governor advised that the pro.
posed commission to study the
problem should be non-partisan ,sand
should be made of men who arc will
ling to make some sacrifice for the
public.
1T has been my purpose to have
government handed back to tho PEG
pie OF New Jersey" said the exeeu'
tive in conclusion. whenever tina
can be done. In this way we vii,
get better and better results,
IF the chambers OF commerce viii
undertake and carry through a plar
that will solve this pressing problem
\they will render a distinct and valu
Able service to all the people of thu
state"
More than $4,000 pets arc sol'
each year by one firm with store
in New York and Omaha and Their
are many other dealers in each o
these cities.
United States cotton belt is prac