New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-14
PLANS TO SAVE THE HARBOR.

VIEWS ON SENATOR COMBINES BILL.
TALKS WIFI MAYOR COOPER AND OTHER MUNICI-
PAL oTFICERs-TuR BILL WOULD AID STREET.
CLEANING.
The introduction of a bill by Senator Conk-
ling IN the United prohibiting the casting Of
street in the waters OF NewYork harbOr was the
subject of good deal of conversation among shipping
men during theweek just closed The bill universally
praised aud 1t apparent from the general interest
taken in the subject there is much apprehension
felt lest the harbor shall he seriously damaged by the
refuse Of various kinds that Is thrown into IT, Al the
Office OF the Pilot Commissions there much rejoicing
over the introduction OF the bill. For years the Pilot
Commissioners have been loudly calling the attention OF
The public to encroachments the harbor and the
reckless dumping refuse into IT by the Of
sells
THE bill is Just what we WANT said Secretary Ma sh
" wear ago the Pilot Commissioners called the atten
ton OF the Lighthouse Board to the matter The So
citor Of the Treasury informed us that although tho
Government unquestonably had the power to prevent
H. there was no specific law the subject, that the
Lighthouse Board could do nothing. Then had
bal intro luced In the Legislature last Winter by DR.
HAYES 10 put stop TO the practice. Ii passed by
the LEGISLATURE, but the Governor did not sign It, Po
ical influence probably defeated It, There one
clause in the bill which authorized magistrates TO I'm
urison persons broke the law. Tue steamboat men
dd not like this clause and undoubtedly they pvt forth
all their 10 wer kill the bill The bill introduced by
Senator C0nkng prohibits the throwing OF street
bage or ashes the waters OF the bay or its
poaches within five mics of the shore. This is sufil-
Gent limit. That Will compel the streetCleaning De-
partment 10 take out their scO"s 10 within TWO miles OF
the lIghtship"
Mr. Nash was asked by a TRIBUNE reporter II the har
Dor had really already been seriously damaged by the
needless throwing Of refuse into IT. ,..,.,..,
seriously damaged. 1t is not becoming worse. The
channels are becoming narrower put dney are deeper IN
of
Sore Inspector Hopkins said that the stteetCieaning
D.nartmen ought TO be provided with steam scows 10
inEc garbage at all hours. At present the
were frequently detained for hours IN Gravesend Bay
waltI for ebb tide
VIEWS or MAYOR COOPER.
Mayor Cooper asked If he had any knowledge OF
the bin before It's transmission 10 Washington. lie
piled
"No I had not. To-day is the first time have heard
ofit or course such bill for the preservation of the
hrhor is entitled 10 the hearty support OF every resi-
den, Of New-York | have not read the bill that
cannot say that approve of every one Of its proy-
sons."
"sonc persons propose the construction OF steam
coOs by the city for the transportation of the street
swccplngs ashes and garbage far out TO sea-" said the
YES said the Mayor, " that is favorite plan with
so,yr The Police Department certainly needs better
upslatus for taking the street refuse 10 Sea-ethcr
Sielm scows or powerful tugs and seidumpng small
seow II you have large steam with hopper bot
800 IA dunn the refuse from the city Instantly into
he then you Will have to provide large platforms
hold the refuse as Is brought the carts OF the Street
Ccannc Department to the river front. From these
,tfrns would run chutes, like those used the coal
comnancs for loading coal barEes, To convey the rose
nm lie pa'fOrs INTO compartments IN the steam
| Ne conld not afford 10 have many OF
! those large steam scOws, as they are costly
vessels and the number OF large platforms would also
have 10 c restricted. they would take up much space
and also be costly This would lessen greatly The num-
nr az dumn;ug hoarg aud accordingly the carth Of the
Street f'lraning Department would have 10 travel
ster distances TO deliver their contents. The nunber
| ~ carts voud have 10 be increased This would IN
crease Tho pcnAe OF carrying on the Department
| Tbs Deisrm ent OF Docks" said the reporter.
would Dc clad 10 have fewer dumping b0drd', RS IL
co then eas@ such piers aud bnlEheads as are Occu-
| nIrd by IN. boards at hlSk rates
We'll wo might get more money IRON the decks IN
that rase said The Mayor. bat then we would lose
money out of The other pocket through The sirce:Clcan
M. DensrtneuI being compelled 10 pay Tor the carnage
"a rt greater distances II We do not have Scaiu scows,
we cap nj lea st. have powerful tugs and SCI dumping
srnWs Then VIC could retain The present dumping
Z. rho Police Commissioners say TINT the apprnrg-
,,on for atrce clesnng sufficiently large 10
ahe Them To buy better apparatus Tor transporting
street refuse to sea, said the reporscr
Thei, statement tree" said the MAYOR and then
M ,a,,inned think lie wisest way FOE The city 20
eal with ms matter would be 10 have estimates made
a. In rho cost OF large steam sc0ws anu platforms tugs
aud sel,-dumpng scOwS Au application could DC made
,u .d vance bY the Board of Estimate ana AppOrtob-
ment for the purchase Of sucn apparatus next year
D IN favor OF increasing tue appropriation Tor tue sup
mort of tho Sreet-C Gaming Department Tor tnis par