The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-02-17
THE WATER SUPPLY.
MOVEMENT AMONG THE INSURANCE coMPA
= MES PROPOSED NECESSITY FOR IMMEDIATE
ACTION AND NEW MAINS

MOVEMENT AMONG THE INSURANCE coMPA-
ACTION AND NEW MAINS.
The interest does not in regard the proposed
changes the supply Of the city among the lead
ing merchants, who to know II any smme-
diate measures be taken by the Mayor and Com
Council for the greater security of the thousands
OF millions Of property in the metropolis The leadin
insurance companies are now celebrating on a method
Of procedure which, after the matter has received full
consideration will be published in the HERALD few
days, and 1t Is believed that the plan OF sup
plying water, when fully completed will insure the
safety of the city from any large disastrous fire. 1t
also proposed by number of prominent business
to call meeting OF citizens In order to discuss the
question Of the water supply and the condition OF the
Fire Department. and 10 the views Of engineers
old nremen and other experts This agitation is not
the fruit OF late occurrences the last big fire. for
weeks since General Fitz John Porter then Com
missioner of Public Works. called attention to the want
of adequate mains and water supply OF sufficient
quantity, and report addressed to Mayor wIckham
General Porter says
MORE MAINS FOR THE CITY.
The necessity OF larger mains most severely felt In the
lower part Of the city Water here should rise TO the second
distribution prevent The large main laid under my pre-
decessor from the reservoir Chambers street is only
no benefit viii from SSssStuTos then
Is
Should tho influences continue TO prevail which have
vented increase of the supply, the great wrong
under which the city suffers may become crime by In
caleuabe injury to property and health.
The for aqueduct authorized by the Legis
lature and the Common Council have been made and the
drawings completed special report will be made thereon
much longer be dependent its water supply single
aqueduct The ability Of the aqueduct supply the
Of the city is often fully tested during cold weather.
and but for the few days supply in the Park reservoirs
would times be found insufficient Heavy the
aquedue from floods during the past summer showed the
danger OF relying upon this single line Of supply
PIPES DISTRIBUTION or CROTOS WATER.
SO much has already said Of the necessity of larger
mains for security against e well as for sanitary pur
IL add much letters OF June % and July
IA, copies of which enclose.
OF the $4,000 appropriated by the Legislature for
penditure in laying pipes this less than 500 has been
authorized by the Common Council be used in the
allowance by the Board of Apportionment
expended balances Of former appropriations
and has been applied laying pipes and erecting large fire
hydrants in Fifth where the benefit will soon be APP
precated.
the OF this department by giving 5000 from It's
preparations be used in putting large suitable
the capacity OF steam IRE engines and VI sur
hcient depth to prevent freezing
In one OF his papers General Porter seems to place
the blame the shoulders of Comptroller Green for
what he calls his policy OF obstl action, He says
Your interference with the duties of this department
your accession the Comptroehip has crippled II
In extending the system for giving the city better supply
ofw ter, and it. through influence. Is mainly due
the failure authority for additional mains to in
the supply of in the lower and business
tons OF the city which needed and demanded
gently now for the preservation of property.
notable instance of the damaging effects OF OBJ
sructve interference has occurred The fire which de-
streets could readily have been checked had the Croton
water facilities been afforded TO the department
you think property holders and insurers are likely TO
mistake policy In these matters for