New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-23
THE WATER SUPPLY.
CONSULTATION BETWEEN THE FIRE COMMISSION
Frs AND MIR. VAN NORT-MORE MAINS AND
NOT A WATER-TOwER NEEDED.

CONSULTATION BETWEEN TIE FIRE COMMISSION
Frs AND MIR. VAN NORT-MORE MAINS AND
NOT A wATER-TOwER NEEDED.
Fire Commissioners Hitchman and Galway
met Commissioner Van Mort yesterday. by appointment
at his Office and discussed the for
the erection OF tower similar the at Philadelphia
for the purpose OF aTOrdng sufficient pressure to the
Crotol before 1t Is used by the freengnes The
general sentiment was favor OF the establishment of
complete system for the protection OF the city in
the prevention OF fires. full discussion ensued in
regard to what necessary, and the Fire
Commissioners were strongly IN favor OF the water
tower.
Mr. Van Mort stated that the supply Of water would
be amply sufficient if there should be proper arrange
ment Of mains and supply pipes. lie SAID that 1t was
only too apparent that ample provision had not been
made for exgencies at the time Of the laying OF the
pipes and that precautions whaey had been taken
for the future and that consequence the engines in
many exhausted the supply OF water after com
paratvely few strokes Of the engines, ana fires gained
headway from the want Of facilities for extnguishng
them. He said that he had communicated with Mr. SER
re, Engineer Of the Board and that he was satisfied
that longer pipes alone needed lie said That the
36nch main laying will DE completed in two weeks:
that IL is now laid az far as Chatham-sQuare, and
will extend TO Chambers-st., and connect with
the main and all the water-ppes in the lower
part OF the city. 1t Will not Do tapped until after IL
reaches Chamhcrs5 lie said that he had concluded to
suggest the laying OF fourinch mains the east and
west sides Of the city instead OF 80 inches and that he is
fully satisfied that the pressure which will be obtained
will throw a column OF water from 90 TO 100 feet. He
said that false impression exists in the community be-
cause frequently the first efforts Of the treengine ex
hsust the hydrant. The impression is that no more
water obtained. He explained that the eXhaus
ton is only momentary and that after the first de-
mands OF the engines met, II the supply IL
sufficient the water in the pipes follows the suction He
said that the hydrants large enough connected
with the large mains and that II the supply of water In
the pipes sufficient, the opening in the hydrants
would be large enough 20 admit OF the passage or the
water. He assured tho Commissioners that he would be
any time to respond 20 any request which they
might make in regard TO the erection or more hydTants,
and cooperate with them IN all their efforts To save
the city from the horrors VI a great COntdgrdtOn.
DesuOry conversation followed, and IL was agreed
that Mr. Van Mort should embOdy his views I'm official
communication to be sent TO them. Mr. Van Mort still
thinks that the Introduction OF salt water Is ncXpedcnt
and unnecessarily expensive. and that tho supply OF
ample for every emergency. He taNOr5 the
erection reservoirs, which shall be used stOr
age places i'm Winter to guard against possible water
flinnes the Summer He saws that It would take six
months TO fiji with water reservoir or tue capacity or
the lOOlOOOOO gallon reservoir in the Central Park
that other reservoirs lie recommended last
Wednesday should be erected in Putnam County without
delay supply the needs OF the city In time OF drOuEhti
ana that appropriations should be made ungrudglngly
Tor the purpose.