The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-09-09

Contractors Charged with Filling Up
the SwaSh Channel.
GENERAL MENTIONS VIEWS.
The Probable Action Of the United
States Government


AS the dumping OF street sweepngs into the har.
Dor and the channels leading into the barber OF New
York will attract removed attention, owing to the
action OF tho general government In assisting the
Board OF Commissioners OF Pilots las an.
nounced in the HERALp's Washington de.
spaiches yesterday in restraining contractors
guilty Of such conduct, reporter of the HERALD
was sent yesterday TO ascertain the views OF the
several boards in regard to the matter. CON-
missioner Erhardt found at his apartments at
the Rockingham. to whom the reporter stated the
purpose or his visit. In reply the Com
clared that he believe very serious
were contemplated by anybody. "Yoa see, . he said.
.sthcrs Is pretty much always something
about streets garbage or the dumping
OF ohal but there generally very little
basis for all tho talk Last spring We sue
cecded Ia getting some OF the streets thoroughly
Clean hereupon there loud complaint from good
many quartera There talk OF ndicting US, and
delegations from tho car and stage companies called
upon the Mayor 10 II could not be prevented
from keeping the streets too clean 1t was a rather
funny experience aud believe, il We actually sue
ceeded getting whole city clean at one time we
would be indicted for our pains Drivers desire
little for their horses fcet and complain Whenever
the streets too clean. Then, another subject
that gives a good deal OF trouble IL cats. There
is profit in dead horse dead dog even, but
to Frank Swift there is money in dead cats while
his contract compeis him 10 rid the city OF them.
What he does with them, don't know, but II some
times happens that tho shores OF Long Island are
strewn with dead kittens Then all the catcalls in
world couldn't equal the cry that up from
Concy Island Ihave got rather used to this kind OF
thing but don't believe that oal Is dumped In tho
lower bay any moro than believe any very serious
measures contemplated by anybody"
.'But, Commissioner, tho dead cats which some.
times swim about Long Islands seaErt shore could
not get there Of Themselves the reporter suggested
.Mght other things get off the beside cats,
especially as tho scows have false bottoms and no
body what is going on belowg'
"some OF the scows might be empted into the
harbor in this way but the contractor who INDUCED
In the practice would soon be detected. Suppose a
contractor making Two or three trips to
made by tho city scows, would soon want to know
the reason. would like TO find contractor who Is
guilty any such practice but proof has boen
forthcoming yet"
WANT PROOF OF THE DIFFICULTY
subsequently the reporter called upon Captain
William G. Thompson, one of the members OF the
Board OF Pilot Commissioners. Captain Thompson
had lust returned from European tour, but on his
it would seem that the very first pilot boat he
brought him news of fresh garbage troubles. 81
have only been home few days. ne SAID, "out !
hear that the lighthouse inspector has seen some OF
the scows discharcng their cargoes tn the Swash
Channel Phls IS the old complaint don't
believe the Police Commissioners know any,
way, but the contractors evidently abuse tho
posed to carry the c,iy's oGal sea, but
sells seaworthy and tho result is most OF them
dump their contents into tho channel Thoy do
this and defy detection because they hopper bot
toned. The courts Afford no adequate remedy since
,Sa the % at
trouble with us WI probably be as Is always has
SPECIAL BOATS NEEDED
.'what remedy would you propose ?" the reporter
~ have brought with me-" Captain thompson ans
swered specifications Of iron boats aud scows such
as used at Liverpool and Cork, and think their
Introduction here would be very great improve
meni. Tho scows and steamers which are now ussd
by city and the contractors arc not ssaworthy.
out to sea At the time appsc-
ciate the dilemma OF the Police Commissioners.
all Some lin proved means must be founo, and
think the only course open 10 the city Is to 0ud
Few steamers snS os s 900 oo
eight ten barRes would answer Tor tho prssont On
a rough estimate think an Appropriation OF $2s000Q
would ford facilities sufficient Tor the present, and
until such Iacties are afforded lear that neither
the Police Commissioners nor the Pilot Commission
the Treasury Depart nens nor the courts can
bring any adequate relief sa .sl
WHAT GENERAL THINKS
Gene raj John Newton also visited by q HERALD
reporter and he sa,d:''rhc bar cannot be made the
dumping ground nor its neighborhood. Tor AIRY ar2a
20 So
drsdged out OF tho slips aud other places In the bar
Dor should not be deposited sherc The par
ana It's shoals the result OF an equ-
librium OF forces The material which tends to NIL
up the bar the SAND driftcd into New YorK harbor
along the OF New Jersey aud the coast Of Long
Island, and the forces which tend 10 keep Tue bar
open tho currents OF water IT, in addition 70 the
natural supply Of sand coming into the harbor from
these coasts, any largo amount OF material 10 added
the currents viii bs unable adequately TO dispose OF
them. Hence there will De shoals formed ON tho bar,
and iuslde eventually. The bar and its ncghborhood
is no fit dumping ground for all the refuse Of New
.Are not tho present steamboats, used inadequate
for the purpose OF towing tho scows out 70 scarf
al do not know AZ 70 that; but Il will DO necessary
TO provide proper sea-going oarges 10 duhp tness
SHOULD IN DUMPED FIVE OUT.
show tar out should they 20, uenetals IN your
opinion, before dumping 2"
-"Ab0ut Ave or six miles. IL might be well TO 60
even further out than six miles"
..Do you know OF any measures having been taken
stop the dumping, or anything as to the penalties
=. c0Ssns violating the hsrbor resirsons now ia
vi Know nothing whatever as to the steps, N any.
that have been taken a dscontinuance OF the
| practice. Tho way In which | became con-
to whether tue deposit OF street swespings
In the negnborng water would DO preludoiai 70 tns
bar, and ropied in the Affirmative. What Is really
| needed near New York Is proper dumping ground
| Tor these deposils'
The General furtner stated tnat ne WAS ohAuicu "
speak with accuracy upon the subject rorl MS knowi
edge OF Tor mauon Of the hurDor II was most pre-
judicial TO navigation TO make the bar a universal versa,
| dumping ground. fsw scow loads a month would
not make much difference, but tho amount OF refuse
sweepings aud drsdRings which IL cmpticd IN the
| bay from this city Is very large Tho sweepngs OF
the streets contain substances when bind tho loose
| earth together aud make much more INJURIOUS dc.
| post than loose mud that has boon dredged The
| sweepings, when once tue bottom, harden and
are not SO readily moved by the action Oh 'no GUT
! rents.
|
THE RIJJE RIBBON MOVEMENT.