The New York herald., 1879-09-25
SAVE THE HARBOR.
AN APPEAL FROM THE PILOT COMMISSIONER
LEGISLATION OF A MORE EFFECTIVE CHAR

AN APPEAL FROM THE PILOT COMMISSIONER
LEGISLATION OF MORE EFFECTIVE CHAR
ACTER NEEDED-wHERE AND HOW REFUSE
MATERIAL SHOULD BE DEPOSITED.
For u long time back the Board of Pilot Commits
sioners have boon doing their utmost to prevent
the filling up Of the harbor, and although success
full in great measure, they found that their powers
were limited and their resources too light to pre-
vent its gradual destruction. They have accord
ingly issued the following appeal to the public
planning matters and suggesting the proper reme-
dies for putting an end to these abuses-
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PILors,1
Sept. "a 1879.
The Board of Commissioners of Pilots was created
bv tho Legislature of this State under the provis
IONS OF an act. passed June rs. 1853. BY a subse-
quent act passed April l6. 1857 the members of the
board were constituted e1-ogc.o harbor Commits
discharge the double duty of enforcing tho law
latng to the pilotage system OF this port and the
protection OF the harbor. 1t will be seen. there
| fore. that tho experience of the Board in
regard to these matters has covered Pc
si0a century Sanns Which hss as
constituted body been closely connected with the
OF navigation SO far as they affect the har
that the experience of tho present incumbents,
added to that acquired and transmitted to them by
their predecessors, entities them to say word OF
advice to their fellow citizens as to the methods
which should in their opinion. be adopted for the
|
encroachments and abuses, and to the suggestions
| which they feel in duty bound to submit to the
| public they ask q respectful hearing
Fyrst-t is the opinion of the Commissioners that
legislation OF more effective character is needed
such as that passed by the Legislature at its last
session and which Governor Robinson failed to ap-
prove, and to enforce this properly additional ap
preparation should be made sufficient to enable the
Board to employ at least four inspectors and to
command the service of steam tug when necessary
for the purpose of patrolling the harbor.
SecOnd-A comprehensive survey OF the harbor
be Of com Mt
experts and engineers General Newton the officers
OF the Coast Survey Tor exanple) and u final de-
cison should be arrived at to those parts of the
harbor line which can be hlled in without injury to
the harbor itself. At almost every session OF the
Legislature attempts made to seize upon certain
Shoals reefs portions Of the shore line and ap-
propriate them to private use. This is done with
out the slightest regard to the damage which may
he inflicted on the general interests, and it should
not be allowed. The harbor should be sacredly pre-
served intact, save in instances where land may be
reclaimed without detriment; and to this conpe-
tent engineering and scientific authority should de-
eide. and, the limits once fixed. they should never
be extended to further private interests political
Third-While tho present crude and inefficient
method of disposing of the city's refuse and dock
this the third metropolis of the world-such refuse
garbage dredgings, &C.. should be towed to sea and
deposited at o distance OF at least full mile be-
yond the outer bar, or four and half miles outside
of Sandy Hook. Not an ounce Of such material of
any solid matter whatever should be deposited
within this line and the penalties for the infringe
ment of such o regulation should be made certain
whether
official individual will not be disposed to violate
it more than On the absolute enforce
ment of such law the people OF this city must
understand that the safety OF their harbor depends
The Commissioners are of the opinion that rule
oblging householders and tenants to separate ashes
cinders and other solid material from the lighter
portions of city refuse could with proper energy,
be enforced AS matter OF fact it is made effective
in the city Of Brooklyn, and there is no reason why
this example cannot be followed here. The ashes
&C., could then be usefully employed for filling in
purposes behind bulkheads properly constructed
irpn fha and
refuse generally il incapable Of being utilized,
should be disposed Of in the way previously indi-
street cleaning by which all refuse material shall be
put to uses and made to pay q revenue. plan
like this is the only one which will meet the exiget
| cies Of the case.
Fournt-To properly convey to sea and there de-
posit the refuse dredgngs and other waste material
suitable transportation is needed, and such should
be employed by the Police and Dock departments,
any other officials who may be charged with clean
ing the streets dredging the slips and harbor.
| This transportation should consist Of scows
strongly built of iron, and self-steam propeling,
capable of encounterng ordinary rough weather.
| and with capacity OF from 400 to 600 tons EACH
| The number required would of course depend upon
! the amount of work to be performed, but the Com
missioners think that with six of these vessels and
few barges, which in fine weather could DO towed
astern of the themselves. the removal OF the
! city refuse could be accomplished. Their cost. if
built under conscientious direction. ought not to
exceed $4,000 each. With these at the command Of
| slightest infringement of the law, such is too
Often and as the Commissioners believe frequently
4 untruthfully alleged, of rough weather and heavy
seas and consequent peril to life, all Of which. so
it is affirmed, compelled violation of existing rules.
The Commissioners have in their possession plans
for the construction Of such vessels, which in
actual in England and to which they have called
attention from time to time. They do not maintain
of the citys refuse but they do insist that this
| the only proper way under existing circumstances.
While i'll respect desirous OF adding to their own
duties they would not refuse to
contract for and superntend the construction OF the
vessels to which they have alluded IL sufficient ap
preparation can be made and they atter themselves
that their supervision would preclude the possbil-
ity OF corrupt or extravagant expenditure That the
expenditure will be fully compensated by the re-
suits, in cleaner streets aud comparative immunity
| ffom further injury to our beautiful harbor, the
| Commissioners have no hesitation in asserting
The Commissioners close these suggestions with
an earnest appeal to their fellow citizens bear in
mind the importance of preserving intact the
channels once impaired the commercial prestige of
Now York is gone. Other Cities with keen compet
ing grasp will tear from part, at least OF the
advantages we have enjoyed. Much injury has been
ish and wicked acts of men to whom the destruction
OF our commercial supremacy is q matter of indffer
ence Will not cease unless public sentiment bearing
on legislation, provides restraining laws and visits
with prompt retribution their violations. without
distinction of name or station.
The Commissioners feel that, inadequate the
means at their command for the enforcement Of
listing laws, they have not neglected. their full
them. On previous occasions they have raised
warning voice; 1t now remains for the public to
that their warning shall not be unhecded.
AMBROSE SNOW, President.
WILLIAM G. THOMPSON,
EDWARD HINCKEN Commits
SAMUEL HARDING, sioners.
CHARLES Ii. MARSHALL,