New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-24
THE COMMISSION DEFINING IT'S WORK.
QUESTIONS To BE ANSWERED BY THOSE WHO AP
PEAR BEFORE 1T.

The commission of citizens which is engaged
with the Mayor in examining and determining the best
phn for increasing the water supply OF the city held
other session yesterday. o. i. Pater presided in the
absence OF the Mayor AT executive session of the
commission It resolved that in order to exclude all
exraneOus matter and cOnfuo those who may appear
before the commission the subject under discussion.
the following questions should constitute the line of in
qury:
Does the city require an increased supply OF pure,
fresh water and should the work necessary procur
such supply be commenced as soou as proper egsla
ton prompt efficient and economical execution
OF this work can be provided
VIII the CrUtOn wncr shed furnish sufficient and the
supply for this generation and shall this commits
exclude the consideration OF other of sup
ply, except so far as these say become available here
after additions extensions and should affect the
present strucon OF these works from the city and
should new aqueduct be commenced
proper Hesitation IL provided i.,.,,-,.,.-
should the proposed uam upon e east branch OF the
CrotOn River be built at once
Mr. Dowd presented letter which he had received
from W. Van Norlen, Ill answer to question relative to
the proposed dam on the Croton River. Mr.. Van Nor
den said that the highest dam OF which he had any
know ledge built storing water in the province
OF Alicante, SPAIN This dam built in 1891. 1t is
1862 high, 69la feet thick at the top and 272 feet
long 10 Is built between two steep mountains. The
water stored is used for rrigatng purposes The high
est dam in this country is the Fordyce Dam in Cafor
MA This Is OF stone, 50 feet high, and holds back
1000, 900, 900 gallons Of water
r. b. Armstrong, representing the insurance interests
said that the underwriters and property owners
convinced that increased water supply necessary
at once lie strongly advocated the retention and use
OF the Forty second Street Reservoir The destruction
OF the Fourth Avenue Railroad Companys stables,
and Morrells warehouse adjoining, he said caused n
loss TO the companies Of over 100000, and
the lack OF water then demonstrated the necessity OF
additional supply. Engineer Birdsa, Of the Depart
mont Of Public Works, reported In 1879 that the Croon
had not risen tor twelve years the daytime above the
street level the high points below Canalst He COM
mcndcd strongly the efforts of q. Is Patter T. H. WcDb
and others TO the city the FOrtysecond Street
arches reservoir to hold 2000O00O gallons the top
wuter-ine of which should be nifty feet higher than the
summit OF water Ia the reservoir when nled or twenty
feet higher than the United Bank building. This might
be built the rest OF the square west or the reservoir
Tho project of using water from the North ana East
Rivers he believed TO be impractcable IL had been
thoroughly examined under direction OF the Common
Council many years ago ,,,,r NJ,
was questioned considerable length by Mr. Potter and
other members OF the commission. The Forty secon
street Reservoir he said could be filed by the present
system OF pipes and kept ready for use for less thn
safely be built higher. AT present when an increased
pressure OF water needed at fire the remen were
CONNIE led wait until the whole network or pipes below
the Central Park Reservoir filed before the In
creased :pressurc felt at the point needed Inc
Street Reservoir II used only FOR fires,
could be connected TO give an increased pressure III
very short time The City Hall clock was on level
with the top Of the water the Forty street
Reservoir when full. This would insure strong prs,
sure The commission decided 10 visit the Department
Public Works Friday and examine the maps OF tnc
present Croton system. The commission Will meet
toy -da ut 2 80 y. III. In the Mayors office.