New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-02
APPROPRIATIONS,

1881 the difference 10 accounted Tor Dy an increase OF
1891 81 In the State tax to be paid by the CITY, and
by appropriations of larger amounts for the redemption
of the city debt for Board of Education, the Board
Of Health and for other purposes
Additional appropriations for special purposes may
also be made as usual by acts the Legislature during
lts present session. but the rate or tax TOT 1888 VIII
will also be increase In assessed valuations OF prop
ery subject to taxation by Of the erection OF new
buildings and other improvements in the city.
PUBLIC WORKS.
No Department of the City Government has superv-
SION of much that Immediately the comfort,
convenience and health Of citizens the Department Of
Public Works The more important Of its dueS as pre-
seribed by statute follows:
tile Department of Public Works shall have cogniz-
and control
"Ot all structures and property connected with the
supply aud and distribution of CrotOn water.
"Of opening altering regul iting, grading, tagging.
curbing guteung and lighting streets roads, places and
avenues.
the care ofpublc buildings including the buildings
known the COUNTY Court House Buildings.
"Of public sewers and drainage
ing the clear of distractions and Of the reaying Of
pavement removed for any purpose"
Referring you TO the exhaustive quarterly reports
made by the Commissioner OF Public Works to the
Mayor the last OF which VIII be found 10 me CHy Record
the management OF the nultifar0us affairs OF this de-
partmen shall at this time call your attention only TO
one or TWO matters OF paramount interest
THE WATER SUPPLY.
From time to time for several years past the proper
officers Of the City Government have called the atten-
ton OF the Common Council aud OF the State Legsa
to the necessity for increased supply of
water for domestic manufacturing and other purposes
and doing have stated their therefor fire.
Quently and fully that Il unnecessary for TO
repeat them to you. Moreover the experience OF
citizens in all parts of the city respecting their supply OF
water Is such that argument Ia needed to convince
them the urgency and Importance Of the subject.
When it Is remembered that in the summer and autumn
10,
famine and ~ Is borne in mind that the dwellings,
manufacturing establishments and other structures
built and commenced since that time fully equal in
extent to five thousand houses-whch the city under
takes to supply with pure and wholesome water-some
idea may gained of the present position of the city In
ton OF the magnitude the disaster which would be-
fall the city with the recurrence even OF conditions no
worse than those Of 1881 The City Government has
important and pressing matter for consideration
In view of these circumstances prompt and vigorous
action In two directions Is imperative.
n Hs mGs0 and WASTE
q TIE legislation necessary to the construction OF
OF pure water should be secured with the least possible
delay and an increased demand sbonld be anticipated
IN Of any that has occurred within the forty
years OF the Croton aqneduct's existence.
The construction Of the dam ana adneduct conem
10 the Mayor February 80, 1882, would involve The
pendIture a large amount OF money ESTIMATED ut
$4,000 000 and would require several years for COM
plrton. This plan, endorsed by many eminent engi |
neers probably the best that has been proposed and
Is possibly the best that be devised. At the
time IL would. In my opinion, be WISE before finally
adopting any plan TO have the opinion OF business men,
well engineers concerning its practlcabiliy, the
probable cost, and the time required f)r construction
The execution OF whatever plan may De adopted should
be surrounded with proper safeguards against extreva
gance unnecessary expenditure to tns end believe
you will Join IN the recommendation that, tot con
trolling the work be supervised by men Of known
integrity who possess some practical knowledge OF such
matters.
OUR THORoUGHFAREs.
No little Inconvenience has OF late been caused
travel and business by the general disturbance OF the
streets the lower part Of the city incident the lay
Ing OF steam pipes by steamheatng companies Inas
much as these corporations have received their fran
chises directly from the city they he held respOns
bic only for diligence in prosecuting their work and
restoring tue srces 70 proper condition tsr the
that in either OF these respects they have trans
cendrd the powers given tnon; but an important ques
ton her raney whether some So stem OF general
city improvement cannot DC huOp.eu Whetopy hls Ire
qeut upturning OF our thorOugfares, with It's
wholly prevented Here would seem to be- 0ppoTtu
MY person OF enterprise or Tor some private
CORPORATION 10 plan Tor UNDERLYING tho
Win single excavation which shall provide not only
for the water gas aud steam pipes, but also for tele
the public convenience may hereafter require. The
space under be streets @oad thus become as Suscept-
bic benefit 10 the cZcns as rapid Transit has made
the space above the streets.
POLICE.
such inyestigati0n "a have been able give the az
fairs OF this Department shows that the number OF OH
aud
7aI and that most Of the thirty-hye precincts into
which the city Ia divided supplied with suitable 40
Communications owned by the city Some, however mot
ably those OF the Twenyeighth, Thirteth aud Thirty
NTH Preclucts) supplied with unsuitable quarters,
situated IN unheafu places, aud without regard to the
provisions OF the law to locations which reads fol
lows; "Tho Board OF Police may. with the authority
md approyal OF the Mayor and Common Council from
time TO time with special reference TO locating the
same as centrally in precincts possible establish pro-
vide and furnish stations and staion-houses . :"
There Is also pressing need OF proper pier and slip
The river front tho exclusive Of the steamboat and
force connected with police service and supervision
The waters which constitute the Twenyourth Precinct
Of the city With the assent of tue Department of Docks
nppcation has heretofore been made the Legislature
for An act authorizing the construction Of short pier to
Tie south Of and next to Per No. l, North River,
for tho use OF the Police Department. but without sue
section l16 II Chapter j21 of the Laws OF 1880 pro-
three grades the compensation Of the hrst grade
the rate OF $1,000 par annum OF the second grade
5000 per aunu. and OF tho lhiri grade, $500 per
num. wnile patromcn a2pohic PRIOR 70 May 20 1880,
ic ~ ali are iIenI,cI The efficiency OF The poee
OF tho cy essential 10 the peace and safety OF
our ctzens to the protection OF their property the
preseryation OF order In streets and puOc places
and to tho enforcement Of state laws and olt ordin
ances I'm order secure the requisite and the honest
service OF those employed IN tins department. just and
equitable eateut OF both officers and subordinates By
the awmakng and by the executive power Is OF no less
Importance proper ries Of government aud the en-
strict discipline therefore believe that
due regard being had Intelligence aud ply steal enddr
aucc M the seeetOn OF suDOrunateS Tor THIS department.
tnere should DO class difference In compensation for
the performance of Identical service also believe tnat
in Iii nrrcncis where such already established
onfortAbe, cOnyenent, ana heathul quarters should
be provided anu owned by the CITY.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Fire Department seems 10 be in very efficient
condition as shown tho fact that while the number OF
Ares reported year has been greater than during the
asst year. average loss sustained Is about onehird
ess The time getting the severa kinds Of apparatus
eady for action been steadily reduced each year.
rom 100 seconds In 1877 to 6.7l seconds In 1882
second floating engine has been provided so that each
ude OF the city viii have this valuable auxiliary
The CITY always liable to the danger Of having certain
portions left without adequate protection in the event of