New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-16
THE ROUTE f0F THE AQUEDCCT
A HEARING BY THE COMMISSIONERS.
PROPERTY PRESENT OBJECTIONS TO HE
PROPOSED HUDSON RIVER ROUTE.


The AGucduct Commissioners held spc-
cial meeting yesterday, and gave hearing 10 those in
crcsted I'm the proposed Hudson River for the
aoueduct Mayor Edison said that the first estimates Of
the work were made in the belief that the labor was to be
done by hand with shafts only mile apart The Com
missoners had asCeltaincd however, that the Hudson
River Aqucduct could, by the Of improved machinery
be built with shas aud half miles apart and IN
ished in about two years from the signing OF
the contract. Not more than onc-third OF the
number OF laborcp would be required if machinery
used The AQueduct Commissioners were DESTROYS OF
doing as little damage property possible along the
line Great delay would be caused by adopting the saw
mill River route rs that had not yet been fully surveyed
The engineers who had been consulted had all agreed
that the Sawmil River route the most expensive
The Hudson River route was declared the best scientific
line.
L. s Jafray said that the old and new aqucdnct should
be separated possible from each other We're this
done one would not be affected 10y accident TO The other
For this reason he favored the Sawmi River route Prop
oyty along that route less valuable than that along
the Hudson River and, the population being much less
dense. fewer would De afcctrd
Mr.. Edison said that majority of the COMMISSIONERS
hcIivcd that the SawIn River route the hest route
but they had found no engineers 10 agree with thcn.
Dr. Iohn c. Barron " Iryiugton wished 20 know what
objections the engineers had 70 inc SawM River route
Chief Engineer Church said that the chief objection
more expensive. Dr. Barron rj0nrd that no line could
have been drawn in the United states strike mora vain
able property than ny the proposed Hudson River route
John T. Terry said that hc could not
sec that the commission hal any real ground for
saving that the Sawuil River route would bc more rN-
pcl,iyc. No thorough examination Of the SaWnh val
lev had been made should the Hudson River route be
selected the people living along the line would probably
have "a leave their homes ioI two three years while
tho work was in progress. lie wished "a know any cs-
Innate Of land damages had been made. The Mayor re-
Piled that there had not.
David b. williamson said that before the proposed
routr along the Hudson River agreed on On" Com
missioner should weigh carefully the cost Of the under
taking 10y this route ~ compared with the sawHl River
route By the Hudson River route the land damages
would he great while by the sawmH River ROM" the
land damages would be comparatively light; Much oil
the property along the Hudson River route "a7 worth
! several thousand dollars per acre; some most
beautiful suburban homes along the propose" route
| A good part Of the land along the sawruil
River route was comparatively WORTHLESS, even FOR farm
ing land The gentlemen who had made their arguments
hr2nrc the Commissioner were property owners In New
YORK They did not ask The Commission to spare them
and damage their neighbOrs. The expense OF the aHne
8uc %oln nay ~ T have W 10 hear tc norton Of
the increased There was danger also me Iind
son River agreed on that wells would be more
or drained. The water supply was now SNORT IN some
| MIR Edison said that the lowest estimated
difference in cost between the two TOutc, S|OuOOO
There was u good deal Of uncertainty as 10 what dit
cutics would be met the route not having been closely
| surveyed.
| saUmiu River route would cost less than Sl,OOOOOO
| more than the Hudson River route.
W $ (urnee said that the people along the iIudaon
River would think that Justice had been done them
by the Commissioner unless the Sa"ml River route was
as closely surveyed and careful estimates ~ rs cost were
| made, a. in the OF the Hudson River rOutc.
O. b. Potter said that it question IN his mind
whether the Legislature had the power to grant authority
to any commission TO 20 into another county and take
posse ion Of property, as this commission hoos,d 20
do prOpr TtyOwHcT could take this matter INTO tn"
courts and great delay. Was II not better 10 have
the good viii Of the property 10y acCCdiEg t. rca
sunabc requests than 10 invite opposition which might
| DELAY the work
| Commissioner Spencer said that JAY Gould had cN
pre- --cd wish to De heard before the committee II was
announced that public hearings would be continued The
committee will meet NJ 2:3O p to-day. The C0mmi-
sIourrs aftcTward held an executive session. and decided
| TO have the SawIuiI River route again surveyed.