New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-14
INSURANCE AND WATER SUPPLY.

REDUCTION OF RATES By UNDERWRITERS NOT DUE
TO SATISFACTION WITH THE PRESENT CEoToN
sYsTEM-sURvEYs FOR NEW AQUEDuCT FROM
THE CROTON RIVER.
While the subject of the extension ana per-
fecton OF the water system OF the city was under discus
sion by the Board OF Aldermen on Thursday Alderman
Morris cited the fact that the Board Of Underwriters han
reduced insurance rates 20 per cent within the past
cght months. A TRIBUNE reporter called upon PROM
inent member OF the Board Of Underwriters yesterday
and was told that in this reduction the Board had ECU
influenced in the least by any increase OF commence
in the adequacy Of the city water system Inc boad ho
said had as mach to complain OF the way
certain portions Of the city were supplied. as
for instance Printing House-square and PARK
row and ::Nsssaust. where according 10 the
showing OF the city engineers there was great seacy
Of hydrants. Moreover the pipes in some exposed
quarters were small that while they had been SUM-
Gent on ordinary occasions in case Of large coniagra
ton number OF steamers sufficient TO control the hrc
could not possibly be supplied with water In February
last a special committee of the Executive Committee OF
the Board Of Underwriters recommended the reducoh
OF 20 per in the rates Oh mercantile rshs Inc
Committee influenced by several consderatons inc
most important being the growing tendency OF
Board companies to either openly practice bad faith OF
to withdraw entirely from the Board and begin bust
ness of hazardous competition and cutting under sched
ule The Board regards it's action IN making
the reduction foolish because the tendency OF tms
commtlion on all Sides was TO cut down greatly the
surplus of companies that property was really COW
cred only for ordinary casualties, ana not TOT great
disaste. which might visit the city at any time The
Board had been governed TO a considerable extent D!
confidence in the Fire Department Of the city, which as
present organized had met the requirements OF every
Moreover. said this gentleman the improvements IN
building 1874 which did away with the MansaId ROOF
nunty from fire which NewIOrk has enjoyed for sew
eral years. and which principal cause Of colnpancs
tnfa
wac considered ny the Board hut regarded ~ very
poor argument FOR reduction Tie loses OF is.4 w,rc
only third the OF ANIMAL losses during the
past years. and therefore could not be regarded as
s.e criterion for estimating the LOSES Of coming years
supply. and lay much stress on the fact nt IN New orK
ness part Of the city to bring wide mercantile Disaster
such followed in the wake of the Chicago and Boston
which contain millions Of dollars worth of merchandise
This member Of the Board regarded Alderman Morlss
suggestion TO make thorough examination of the water
system before entering on any Improvements us yer!
NEW AQUEDUCr ROUTE.
Deputy Commissioner OF Public Works Gumbleton,f
the absence Of Gen Porter YESTERDAY signed the appoint
ments Of the persons who TO compose the surveying
party charged with the survey and selection OF route
the proposed squeduct between the Croon and
Harlem rivers The work will be under the direction OF
Charles L. McAlpine, assisted By James Duane and will
be begun at once. 1t is believed that the sur
ycy viii be completed by December next. II
is intended that the aqueduct shall connect with
the Croton River or Lake at point at considerable ds
tance from the present aqncduct There ar seasons
the aQueduCt is hurdencd nearly to fs ful
capacity II opened in 1912, and was calculated TO
be capable Of supplying l5OOoOOO gallons or water per
day. There times last Winter when the daily CON
sumption Of trutOn was I250O0,OOO gallons The
storage reservoirs drawn upon and the large rescr
yor IN Central Park drawn 1919 feet below the
binary level There il always danger OF break In the
aqueduct and should this occur serious inconvenience
might follow Two aqucducts, Independents Of each
other will prevent possibility Of ths A new reser-
voir is needed supply the district Wit water
eastern slope of the Bronx River Valley and cOmmini-
with the proposed reservoir In the annexed district
From this mains and smaller pipes could lead wherever
needed The cost Of constructing the proposed aque-
duct cannot he determined with accuracy yet, but II
is Thought il would be about $4,000 per mile from
SO 100000 to s. 900 600 altogether The present aqre
duct built a cost OF S1OOO0,OOO. from the Croton
River reservoir in Central Park. The expense of
the survey will be taken from the ordinary npproprla-
tons for the Department of Public Works Should the
be completed in time the next Legislature Will
probably be asked 20 authorize the contemplated work.