New-York tribune., 1883-12-20
TAKEN TO TASK BY 0. p. POTTER.

HE URGES TIE INTRODUCTION OF LITTLE COM
MON SENSE IN MIR. THOMPsoN's DEPARTMENT.
Commissioner of Public Works Hubert o. Thomp-
ron was present as one of the members of the Aque
duct Commission at its meeting in TIE TRIBUNE
Building Yesterday afternoon. Congressman Or
lando b. Potter was also present Before the meet
ing adjourned Mr. Potter made things so partcn-
larly warm for Mr.. Thompson that the latter used
the cover of one of his own reports to fan himself
with.
The meeting was held to consider the construction
and size of the proposed aqueduct and also whether
a terminus at Croton Dam or at Quaker Bridge
would be the more feasible. Commissioners Edison,
Grant, Dowd Spencer Lane and Thompson were
present.
Mr. Potter spoke at some length in relation to the
size of the aqueduct lie said that it should be at
least son feet in diameter that in Of pes
thence the sewers of the city could be flushed with
water and an adequate supply could be brought from
the great reservoirs to meet every necessity. In
considering the terminus of the aqueduct, MIR. Pot
ter disapproved the building of the Quaker Bridge
DAM asserting that this would consume unlimited
time ana money, while to extend the aqucduct two
miles further to the CrotOn Dam would avoid the
fantest chance of leaving the city unprepaTed for
any drouth which might occur. 1t was not matter
of expense in its most important aspect but of
time. lie was assured that the entire insurance
capital invested in this city would not be sufficient
to pay more than per cent of the loss on a fire
which should consume that portion Of the city be-
low FOurteenth-st.
Mr. Thomson Assuming that We decide TO build the
two extra miles Of aqueduct would you get water
quicker than by the building OF the Quaker Dam!
Mr. POttcr-YcS: that is thc condition upon (which
advocate it, There is every indication that the dam
would waste ten years in completion.
5 Mr. Ihonpson-what did Nj. Ripley the contractor,
Nj Potter That it would take four years, but there
is probability that 1t would he done any sooner tuan
the other public works The Bronx River aqueduct was
Mr. Thomson ,intcrrupting) Oh, that's impossible
Mr. POttcl-When was II bcgunl
Mr Th0mpsOu-SOme time before my term Of office.
Those contracts were let hv my predecessor am as
sned that the works will he completed next september
Mr. Potter do not TccOcct any work undertaken by
the Department of Publc Works that could not have
been completed half tie time by private contractor
Ii is most nportant that the city should have the control
pt the when the works are completed as the health
of the metropolis depends on The quality OF lts water
IT may necessary at redge the reservoir aud
the extension OF the aqueduct the only satisfactory
way which to DO it, The advocacy OF the erection OF
woodwork would he likely to be ONeithrOwn by whIl-
winds and many extraneous causes.
Mr. ThOmpsOn-DOnt You think that skiliu engineer
ing migA overcome that dnleulty ..-, >,
partmcnt should bc based on common 'ensc. II has
taken $4,000 TO maintain the OLD aqueduct during the
Mr. Thompson tinteTrupting)-Oh. no, Mr.. Potter.
only $4,000 for its maintenance, and the remainder for
Mr Potter-I don't believe that 1t would cost $75 900
10 maintain aqneluct that~was not fGll OF holes II
and also of the aqueduct and does man pre-
sumo to tell me that any wooden Hume could be con
stncted 10 withstand that pressure OF water
Mr. TbOmpsOn--SuppOse tlc broke out III the summer
time
Mr.. Potter Nnerruptmel-I have been trying as You
ought to know for years 70 save the central reservoir OF
the city. have been opposed by the department OF
Public Works from tire outset with some few notable
ceptions. to prevent the destruction OF the Forty
sccomd-st. reservoir.
Mr. Thompsou-You say what is wrong when you say
Mr.. Potter tuteiruptingl-l smd with few ex-
cepuOns. When applied TO you, sir you opposed me.
Mr.. Thompson pIeadiDgly yl-lOu know, Mr. Potter,
that did not oppose You.
SIR. POiter-I know that you did.
Mayor Edison at this point interfered, saying that
the discussion becoming OF personal nature.
Edmund briggs. president of the Williamsburg
City Fire Insurance Company, said that he was OPP
posed to the erection of the Quaker Bridge Dam.
and added that no city on the continent was
liable to great fire as New-iork. A. p. Man and
i. S. Jafray also opposed the building of the dam.
Dexter A. Hawkins thought that twelve small
reservoirs would be better than great one, as
they could be alternately cleaned.