New-York tribune., 1873-07-25
MUNICIPAL INTERESTS.

WOODEN PAVEMENTS CONDEMNED.
LETTER FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS
TO THE MAYOR-EXPENsE AND DISADVANTAGE
OF WOODEN PAVEMENTs-NEED OF STREET RE-
PAIRS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
Commissioner Van Mort Of the Department
OF Public Works has sent tho following letter to the
Mayor in relation to repairing wooden pavements
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS,
CoMMfssIoSERs OFFICE, Room ~, CITY HAIL
To the Hon. wM F. HAyEMEYER, Mayor Of The ctty ana
Chairman Of the board Of Estimate and ApporE1on-
nent
DEAR SIR: Numerous complaints are being constantly
received by this Department from propery-oWher ana
residents and from the Police and Health Departments
as 20 the condition Of several Of the wooden payemens
OF the city. That many Of these payements are IN
condition dangerous to life and property is beyond ques-
ton. 80
One OF the Sanitary Inspectors Of the Board OF Health
reporting on the pavement in North Moore-st, says
IL Is in condition dangerous 70 lie ana deulAehta
to health. The wooden blocks comprising portions ot
the pavement are broken and ont OF place. aud many OF
them ore gone. This condition causes several pools OF
mud and staguant water, which measure respectively
feet by feet feet by feet feet by 10 feet feet by
u feet ~ feet by Is feet and 10 feet by 20 feet These
pools contain only stagnant water and mud but also
collections Of garbage undergoing moist decomposition,
and exhaling offensive gases"
This description regret to say is fair representa-
ton Of the present condition Of several OF the streets Of
the city paved with wooden pavement. The matter is
one which requires prompt and efficient attention
This Department Is by the charter charged with the
cognizance and control Of paving, repayus, and re-
pairing streets and keeping the same clear OF oDstruc
tions." The same law, however provides that no e1
pense shall be incurred by any of the Departments
Boards officers thereof, unless an appropriation sha
have been previously made concerning such expense"
HlrttI affO 1rl
this Department can take action whatever looking %
the execution OF even the most necessary repairs OF the
pavements the streets aud any action IT may take IN
this direction under any circumstances depends upon
tho extent of the appropriation previously maze
therefor
There are in this city 3968 square yards OF wooden
pavements which have been laid az an aggregate cost OF
81 ST. To MAINTAIN these pavcments in proper
condition. at least $1,000 square yards or renewal WOuu
have be executed IN each year. ana II done win te
patented materials chcmlC1ly treated Wuulu entl!l
upon the city annual expenditure OF SJ2OWV Coha
orng the present condition VI these paNeehts anu lef
persbabe nature. think that this would be useless
expenditure Ot the public money ana acthE upon lnl'
conviction. did not hesitate 10 IecOnMcuo % the Co
mon Council the Inauguration OF properly devised
scheme for the gradual removal OF these WO0Veh pave
mens ald the substitution OF stone paSeMehtst the &
Common Council had not, however the power ana the
Iegisatule failed 20 authorize the carry ing ouJ 0I my
recommendations, or OF some other equaAy eIAcleAV
scheme TO effect this much needed reform, AL, ,,,,,.
Until some such scheme is devised ana dtly author-
zed appears 20 me 70 be the imperative uL Oh Inq
Office rs of the city that where absolutely required
Tor the safety Of the public, these payeuents are prop
crlY repaired. ,,,-.- -. A..
execution chs work, asked for an appropriation OF
$4,000. Ths estimate was submitted Oy ne ai'Sr d
careful examination which satisfied me tA&t al leasJ
10 l5 wards OF pavement must be immediately repaired,
aud To execute which IN the most economical manner
possible would cost the amount asked for by Mltn
ont auy communication with me on the subject, am
advised by the Controller that the Board OI Estimate
and Apport!onment has reduced my estimate onehall
TINS action OF the Board was taken on the advice ana
recommendation Of the Controller II II Is the ma &C
tiou OF the Board, or course must submit but cannot
do 20 without specially advising you lhat IOr Iie sum
appropriated the work necessary % remove llesc psuo
spots cannot be performed Ius Is not trae economy
III Is simply fostering ana Increasing those germs vi ep-
Gemic disease WAcn are already TOO numerous III OUT
midst.
trust this important matter will receive your early
attention. and that you can arrange 10 nave tue same
on as early possible rocCnsIdered Dy the Board
OF Estimate and AppOrtiOnment. Very respectfully
vours GEO. NJ. VAN MORT,
COmmiss, ,Ouer OF Public Works.