The New York herald., 1869-03-09
THE CITY SEWERAGE QUESTION.

The Legislative committee on public health re-
sumed Its sessions yesterday at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel, At the morning session Mr.. Moses Lane,
Chief Engineer OF Sewers, OF Brooklyn, was ex-
amined and detailed at length the system adopted
In that city, which Is similar to that employed in
New York, with some trivial exceptions. Mr..
Nathan Nesbtt said he represented several real es.
tate owners who had grievances which tney wished
to bring under the notice OF the committee, but
would not proceed further until his witnesses were
present
The committee reassembled in the evening" when
Mr.. Jerome J. Collins was examined by the commit
tee. He Is civil engineer and has had considera-
BILE experience In drainage operations. He consd-
cred the present system OF sewerage defective and
had prepared q plan BY which 1t would be
rendered perfect and all the advantages of
. well drained and healthy city secured tor New
York. The main features OF his plan would be to
utilize the water OF the bay by forcing 1t through
pipes radiating from main pipes laid through the
central parts Of the city. The water conveyed in
these pipes would, under the plan he proposed cir
culate through the sewers cleansing them perfectly
and would carry or the sewerage or the city, which
should be collected In large tank barges and re-
moved outside the Narrows, used for agricultural
purposes. The water would be available for extin-
gushing fires and most purposes exclusive of cook
ln3s the pumping hpparalus employed WOulu act
both to bring the water from the bay and to force
through the pipes. He would use iron water pipes
and brick sewers. One or the main features OF the
plan Is the cleansing OF the streets by the water
so forced through the city. He explained
the erect OF the water circulating through the pipes
which would be illustrated By the action OF the
human heart on the biood lie would have the
pipes laid through central avenues and connected
with return pipes along the river side. I'm carrying
the water IL would be necessary 10 use iron pipes 1t
would prove much cheaper 10 bring the water from
the bay than erecting extensive additions TO the pre-
sent Crot0n works, The present sewerage Ii avail
able with trifllng alterations and the improved health
OF the city and increased value OF property would
amply repay the cost. The sewage collected could
be removed In tanks to sea or sold for agricultural
purposes. An animated discussion on the subject
then followed
Mr.. John Keegan was then examined-was mem.
Der OF Assembly from the Twentieth district, in
which there were large number OF property
holders had heard large number or complaints
respecting the insuilcency OF the pipes to remove
the sewage they are not large enough and are
sometimes taken up IN consequence OF defects and
relaid at the expense OF the taxpayers; he had been
absent from town, otherwise he would be able TO
furnish the names OF many who complained.
Patrick McGovern stated that he ls q real estate
agent and has strong objections the present sys-
TEN, which Ii not at all adequate.
John J. Burchell, a builder, residing In East Fifty
ffth street, was examined as TO the merts Of the
diferent kinds of pipe and the size which should be
used After a remark by Mr. Nesbts, that he found
much ulnculty In procuring Witnesses owing to the
power OF the Croton Board, the session closed.