The New York herald., 1878-09-10
GARBAGE in THE BAY.

For some time past tho Board OF Pilot Commits
sionsrs have been receiving complaints OF parties
dumping garb ige and all kinds OF refuse In the
rivers. bay aud main ship channels. rhe principal
offenders IL Is alleged, have been the Street Cleaning
Bureau, under the control OF tho Board OF Poilce
Commissioners and the Atlantic Dredging Company,
which has the contract for removing tho mud on tho
East River, aud the Union Dredging Company,
which is employed tho North Rivor tor
tho Same purpose by the Department OF
Docks. Tho Commissioners OF Pilots have several
times called tho attention of the Police Commissioners
to matter, but without obtaining any abatement
OF tho nuisance They also addressed communica-
ton 20 the Department OF Docks. enclosing copy OF
the charges made against their contractors, calling
their attention tho violation OF the law, and asking
prompt action their part TO prevent its repe'-
tion. Tho Only satisfaction thoy received from this
department was demand for the proofs in the case,
and when Joseph Conway, Inspector of the Board OF
Pilot Commissioners. went 10 offer the same he was
informed that the Dock Comm issionors out VI
town: But this IS not all. The Commissioners Of
Pilots have been receiving complaints from pilots
every day of the danger to the hnrbor
by the dumping OF this refuse. 1t seems
that offenders, when followed too closely by the
Inspector OF the Pilot Commissioners, would so out
beyond Sandy Hook ana dump the garbage III the
man channel. Tho pilots claimed that there would
formed obstruction TO navigation, ana mat,
from this refuse, the Police Commissioners would IN
a short time have q monument erected 10 their de-
partmcnt IN the lower Day. Inc THot NomWis-
sioners, having no jurisdiction outsiue o.
Sandy Hook, determined to call the attention
Of tho government 10 the matter, and accordingly
opened u correspondence with Commodore Clitz,
inspector OF the Third Lghthouse'distrct. Tne Com
modorc replied that he had no authority IN the
premises aud could only refer The npaint TO the
Lighthouse Board vt Washington He also stated tnat
while duty tho vicinity of Romer Beacon he had
seen scows dumping refuse mater INTO inc Sw.sn
Channel, one OF The most important channels in the
harbor, and which Is used more than the main snip
channel. In subsequent letter CVtnmodore ChlZ
stated that tho Lighthouse Board Washington had
informed that they had jurisdiction 10 tho mat.
ter mad referred IL to the Secretary Of The Trcas-
ury with the suggestion that such action DO taken
as would result III preventing further damage 10
The entrance to the port. Secretary Sherman was
away Washington at the time, but II seems that
on his return he strongly impressed that Sumo
action should DC taken IN the PROMISES or IN letter
TO Commodore Cliiz, he expressed that opinion anu
him that only way OF stopping the abuse
was Tor tho Board OF Pilot Commissioners 10 nave AL
the afldavits OF witnesses TO the dumping drawn up,
and then tho matter 10 the Attorney General
OF the United Satcs would 90 the proper court
and apply injunction to restrain these parties
from lurther dumping OF dredgings or garbage
The principal places where the refuse has been
ped urc OF Gravesend Bay, Owls Head, R0bbIn's
Reel Lighthouse, the enst bank, outside OF Romer
Beacon, the East Channel, aud IN Swnsh Channel
Parties have also taken advantage OF the midnight
hour 10 dump refuse the North River. There are
great number OF witnesses 10 these abuses, but tho
principal Joseph Conway, tho Inspector 10 the
board oil Pilot Commissioners, whose duty II is 10
look alter obstructions 10 navigation. On Thursday
night the Inspector says be followed the tug and
scows OF the Union Dredging Company threc mi:es TO
sea- and, on his return, ne saw eight scows, OF the
Ponce Commissioners, on Gravesend Bay, waiting ior
the ebD tide daylight 10 dump their loads, which
consisted at fifteen hundred tons OF garbage
The Board 0f Pilot Commissioners meet to-day and
WILL ~ stated, take some action in reercnce 10 tho
letter Of Secretary Sherman.