The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-13

We publish below communication from
worthy citizen concerning the condition of III,
whafves OF the lower districts. Regarding Cili
sebs' reference to the conversation between on
reporter and Capt. Hsrrod. we should explain
that Capt Hatrod based his opinion on the pro
liability, derived from engineering propositions
that the caving in Of the ievees, At least al Ger
tain points. would form graded slant of The
river bank which would do away with the fprtbe,
caving in Of the whatves to be constructed here
after.
New ORLEANS. May IL. 1877.
Editor Democrat From your article headed
| "Tbe Wharf Question" In this mornings DEMO.
| eaAr. clip the following extract.
IN oonversati lon with Capt. Harrod, Deputy
| City Surveyor, who has the direct supervision Of
| The wharves, we learn that the past season has
been hard on both Messrs. Ellertnaun q 90. and
the city, owing to the caving In Of the levees and
whafves. especially IN the Third District. but
that The present condition Of the river front in
that district luses the belief that there will be
little more danger to apprshend for four or five
years TO come"
Az sn observer, and one deeply interested In The
question, beg leave to differ from Capt. Harrod,
and 10 stat that and many others consider the
situation one OF imminent danger, az you will
readily admit when your inspection reaches the
lower whatves and levess. In front ~ The Levss
Steam Cotton Press, the Liverpool Warehouse,
cunts Cotton Press. and especially The I,euisian ma
Oil Factory. the levses are In n most WI atohed
condition. The protection thy afford amounting
literally 10 nothing. The eaving al some points
is such that The street itself Ia In danger Of being
absorbed. The bulkheads destined for the pro.
teetion of The levee are rotten and held in posi-
tiun only by The high water, which lots ss prop.
and they win probably go down with the water.
The repairs executed In the above mentioned
localities are 30 triHng that their cost cannot but
be insignificant. whilst the risks being incurred
by the city in The way Of prospective damages.
enormous.
As a feformer. the DEMOCRAT should keep up
the investigation II has just begun and sih
matters TO the bottom. Administrator Cav.
anao introduced few days ago, at a meeting of
me oity Council, very wise and useful rssoln-
ton Strange to say II was defeated, and vet
that resolution simply affirmed right the city
undoubtedly hiss. viz: the power TO compel The
wharf lessees TO comply with their contract and
10 cancel same in case Of non. compliance
That vote should be reoonsidersi and the mes
zion reopened. Ii Messrs. Eager, Ellerman & Go.
have complied with their contract they should
court the widest possible inquiry, and to them the
oavanac resolution would be harmless. II, on the
other hand, the very heavy damage done TO the
river front BY water makes IL impossible for
them. with their means, 10 continue their en- |
gagement, as | am led 10 infer from your CON |
yersstion with Capt. Uarrod, then 1t II Of the |
utmost importance that The city authorities |
Cavanao resolution ia pertinent and should have |
passed.
The general public has but very little idea OF |
Ihe inconvenience aud expense all shipping in.
lereHts are subjected to by the wrstehed oondi-
Jon OF the wharves and their approaches on The
evee. This state OF affairs has been aptly quail.
led asa
CRIME on COMMERCE.
~ eminent authority here and tho sooner the
responsibility is fastened where it properly be-
ongs, the better 1t will be.
Since the DEMOCRAT has gone into this inquiry,
would beg leave to suggest that it be made
borough. The harvest In the way Of items
Fould be rich. oan you
Yours, ETC.. CrrtzEs