August 12, 1911 – Minutes of the Lake George Association, held at Hotel Sagamore at 3 o’clock p.m. Saturday. August 12, 1911.
Meeting was called to order by President Henry W. Hayden, there being present the following: Mr. Henry W. Hayden, Mr. Robert Imrie, Mr. E. A. Knight, Mr. Denny Brereton, Mr. W. H. Burnett, Dr. A. Jacobi, Dr. Willy Meyer, Mr. John Boulton Simpson, Mr. Lawrence Jacob, Mr. A. Knauth, Gen, J. G. C. Lee, Mr. Thompson, Dr. L. Steiglitz, Professor Julius Steiglitz, Mr. Alexander Backus, Dr. and Mrs. R. F. Weir, Mr. J. E. Parry, Mrs. Albert Comstock, Miss Gertrude E. Ranger, Mrs. P. Knauth, Mr. A. W. Knouth, Mrs. Stephen Loines, Mr. J. T. Lewis, Miss Burnham, Mrs. Tuttle, Miss Bascum, Mr. H. J. Condit, Mrs. Bascom, Rev. and Mrs. O. B. Hawes, Misses Kimball, Dr. F. L. Hupp, Mrs. Hupp, Mrs. Charles Kitchell, Dr. and Mrs. F. Pederson, Miss Kitchell
…Mr. Hayden of the Waters Committee reported on the low water in the lake and told of the method by which the water is taken by the mills at Ticonderoga, also of an expedition made to the outlet by the committee the previous week, their tour of the mills there, and recommended the Association take some definite steps to have the flow of the lake controlled and its natural level restored through legislative action at Albany. He stated that the Arnold surveys were now in the possession of the Association, together with much other data that had been gathered in the previous years on this subject.
The report was accepted and the matter of the level of the lake was referred again to the Waters Committee with power to employ counsel and take such other steps as in their judgment seemed wise.
A set of resolutions from the Hamlet Association at Huletts Landing was read, as follows:
WHEREAS – The waters of Lake George are far below their normal and natural level at this season, which low level is injurious both to the welfare of the fish in the lake, and to the interests of the men and women who dwell upon its shores and navigate its waters, and
WHEREAS – it is reported and asserted that this low level of water is due in great measure to the drawing off of the waters of the lake for commercial purposes by the mills bordering the outlet, therefore be it
RESOLVED – That the Hamlet Association in meeting assembled does hereby make earnest request to the Lake George Association that this matter be carefully investigated, and if it be found to be true that any mills are drawing off the waters of the lake below their natural level, that the State authorities be petitioned to interfere, or that such action be taken by the Association in conjunction with the steamboat company and other parties interested as will tend to stop this injury to the lake and to those who dwell near it, and to this end the Hamlet Association so far as it is able, pledges its help and support.
A report of the Navigation Committee of which Dr. Charles O. Kimball is chairman, was presented by Mr. A. L. Judson, a member of that committee, Dr. Kimball being temporarily absent from the lake. The committee reported that it had holes drilled in the various reefs ready for the installation of buoys, that the flags used last year were not serviceable for the weather conditions and that it is planned to use a signal consisting of a section of galvanized stove pipe painted with the colors of the association. The steamboat company will contribute toward the expense of the work of this committee to the extent of $25. The committee also reported that after two years effort they had succeeded in having passed a law requiring that motor boats on Lake George be equipped with mufflers, this law takes effect September 1st. The report of the committee was ordered placed on file and the secretary of the association was authorized to have printed and distributed posters calling the attention of the people on the lake to his law, same to be distributed to members of the general committee and to members of the association.
Dr. A. Jacobi, Chairman of the Sanitation Committee, made an extensive verbal report covering the work of Sanitary Commissioner Steven Harris during the past year. He said that some of the public places on the lake had been the hardest to get to comply with the health law. He also called attention to the fact that campers were apt to leave islands in a very unsanitary condition.
Mr. A. L. Judson, Chairman of the Transportation Committee, reported that very few complaints had been received in regard to train service and express rates, that the passenger and freight stations at the Lake George Terminal have been open from morning to night …(one line missing) .. last year, also that the small dock at Lake George station had been reported and put to good condition. The Chairman also called attention to the fact that the state highway from Glens Falls to Bolton Landing was now under substantial repairs.
General J. G. C. Lee, Chairman of the Postal Committee, submitted his report covering the work done in its efforts to secure a change of name of the post office at Lake George, formerly Caldwell. In speaking of the two meetings held last fall in the village of Lake George he said: “I have the honor to report that this Committee has had little or no cause for action in any direction of inducing the citizens of Lake George Village to so later its name as to avoid existing confusion on the lake were reported at out last annual meeting, and put to the Association as a whole for further action and have been so far as I am informed, wholly fruitless. Our president during last fall arranged two meetings with the citizens of that place to discuss the matter. The first of these meetings was almost wholly ignored on the part of the citizens, and the second not at all well attended. At this second meeting such of our Association as were there, presented the views of the inhabitants of the lake and appealed to the authorities and citizens of the place to consider the situation in a spirit of fairness, neighborliness and good citizenship. We approached them as friends and neighbors, setting forth the wrong that had been done the rest of the lake, the inconvenience, discomfort and confusion caused by the adoption of the name of the lake for their village. They were absolutely deaf to our appeals and wholly heedless and unappreciative of the harm they had done and were doing. We regret to say that owing to the lateness of the season, and other causes, our case was left to a very few of our members, and these not the best known in the village, so our representation was not as strong or full as it should have been.
“We are credibly informed that the late Hon. E. M. Shepard had expressed himself favorable to a change of name that would entail less trouble and confusion, and would aid such a measure. Inasmuch as he aided in change from Caldwell, it is most unfortunate that we cannot avail of his efforts, but the fact that he was favorably disposed toward a change such as we seek, should have great weight with the people he so long and well served; but he had many good friends near the head of the lake who will undoubtedly be glad to take his place and lend the force of their support and influence in the direction we advocate, and these one and all should, we respectfully submit, be placed on the committee hereinbefore suggested. Beyond this, this committee sees no remedy, unless through the legislature of the state. Similar troubles will undoubtedly arise on other lakes if not prohibited by adequate authority. It now exists on Saranac Lake, but is we are informed, being met there by a fair and considerate front on the part of the citizens of that place.
A short discussion followed in which Dr. R. F. Weir stated that during a recent visit at Washington he was informed that a change of name of a post office was entirely a matter to be left in the hands of the congressman of the district, and that all appeals for such a change should be made to him. A general discussion upon minor topics followed while waiting for a report of the nominating committee. A motion prevailed that the association annual should contain the constitution of the association and a list of officers and members, and that there should also be printed a pamphlet giving a report in narrative of the annual meeting.
Dr. F. Pederson of Hulett’s Landing reported on the subject of camping on state islands: i.e., islands of the lake, and suggested that some form of registration should be required by the government of the state, so that those responsible for leaving islands in bad condition could be held to account for their carelessness. “There is no law” he said, “that gives state authorities right to punish infractions of health ordinances.” Dr. Pederson suggested that campers be required to register with the local postmaster.
A motion was then carried that Assemblyman Brereton of Diamond Point be asked to present a bill before the legislature next winter to secure the registration and control of campers.
[ last section of minutes omitted here]