New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-09
rts ssaIn 70 s4757 81 s79l5 q s5Oo6i 80 s69,7g8

To what extent the lien law would be rendered i'm
practicable become too hare sng TO citizens Is not
certainly forceeen. The expenses to be imposed on
them in consequence of the Introduction of the meter
ystem is a paramount consideration with the Board,
10 at least deferTng final conclusions on the subject,
and il Is which should be avoided, if consistent
with the highest interests of the city, in preventing
waste and increasing the amount of 50 Just and sauta
" revenue that which ~ derived from the CrotOn
water. In the event that the lien law should have to
be abandoned, then the Department must depend en-
tely upon cutting off the water for nOn-payment of
the rent on private houses well for waste or for
non-payInent Of extra rents. This would become an
extensive operation among the middle and poorer
classes and u mode of enforcing payment which has
heretofore been considered too unreasonable and lnu-
rOus to families to be continued and on that account
was displaced by the hen-law system, inserted IN the
act of ls49. recognizing this department. drawn by
the President in November, ls4s. Under that law, if
TIE tenant don't pay, the owner of the premises must
pay and this provision is operating most favorably IN
he collection of the rents.
Notwithstanding the objections which have been adj
duced against the measure a. general one beng OF
opinion that the application Of meters to all buildings
would Tepress the waste and increase the income VI
the water the Board will be disposed gradually to ILL.,
troduce the system under suitable law, 10y way OF
experiment., so soon as meter shall be produced
which will be sufficient, and come at prlce low
enough to Justify the payment for their cost or for
their rent being required from all owners and tenants
Of buildings. A fair trial of the system, whenever
The Department shall be furnished with meters of
suitable description for private houses, viii enable the
Common Council TO order and direct in view OF all the
circumstances attendant upon the case, the proper
course of policy which the Department must pursue
And to the intent that the subject may be understood
The preceding facts and remarks have been recorded
N this report.
The purpose has long been entertained in this De-
paTtment of increasing the quantity of water flowing
over the High Bridge TO the full extent which the 9que-
Duct viii carry. The subject is one Of immense I'M
yOrtance TO the city and the intended alteration is
haOu In
The report of the Commissioners appointed to ap-
Waise the lands for the intended reservoir was
lOticed for hearing before the Court on the 10Th OF
this month and was postponed, on the motion OF par
hes interested in the lands, to the 18th when II was
again postponed, application Tor the delivery OF
apers relating to the appraiscment, 10 the Sd OF
January.
The great and satisfactory increase in the water
nnts this year, and Its total amount collected since
te irst organization Of this department IN 1912, Of
A635 4l9 o. as exhibited in the schedule, furnishes
induccment to prosecute the rev works which are
antempatcd the principle of obtaining reasona-
be pecuniary remuneration This Is a consideration
to be presented but of less account compared with
lie vital purpose OF securing the safety aud promoting
he comfort of an immense population. The progress
d the revenue authorizes the bshet that within nve
years the rent will amount TO million OF dollars, pro-
Nded no war arises or serious disaster takes place.
Tie construction Of an additional reservoir and the
tieraton on the bridge will Facilitate this event, and
shhance the sum. This opinion proceeds expressly
SpOn the expectation that the administration OF the
department. shall continue TO be sincere udicous and
honest AMI that further reduction OF the rent shall
be made. The reduction which the Common Council
Gdered in 1850 brought the price down as low or
bwer than any known to u in the history of aque-
diets; another dimnution of the rates would be eX-
eeedingy impoltic and is not necessary on consdera
tons OF Justice 10 consumers The leading principle
Of the whole system comprehendng the price Of the
water and the collection of the rents, il would be diff
cult FOR the most experienced hands to improve, unless
suitable meter can be furnished at suitable price,
and those reasons of expedicncy which have been
presented for consideration be overcome BY the neces-
atty Of the case it may hereafter be found TO exist
The President has given attention to the discharge
OF his duties, required by the laws and ordinances aud
oy the very magnitude OF the trusts committed to him.
q general Superintendent of all the works and affairs
OF the Department In HI examination of bills, ao-
counts and pay-rols, he has applied careful scrutiny
70 every item; has required the certificates from the
Bureaus, and the Notifications from the foremen upon
tae bib aud returns for materials aud work. which are
customary in this Department.
ibe warrants from the Controller, in conformity TO
Sefe9nSiions drawn by the President have been de-
SIted IN the Bank employed by the Corporation, and
Sess drawn thereon by the President, after an exact
uny 10 favor OF pae, ontitled thereto, or for dis