New-York tribune., 1883-03-10

pointed in such manner as to secure tne
greatest impartality. Moreover, that the WORK
sball be done by contract. There is the
voice of the business men OF New
York and not Of the politicians. Undertake
this enterprise in just the way recommended
by this report, with q commission selected
from our best citizens to direct it, and COM
petent and honest contractors to control
the labor, and the money of the tax
payers will be well spent. Pit THIS
work in the hands of any department
or body controlled by professional politicians,
and the new aqueduct will prove the biggest
and blackest sink that ever yawned for the
city treasury. Any effort that may be made
at Albany to place the politicians or the par
tisan ofice-holders in charge of this scheme
should be resisted with all the vigor that this
community can put forth. The Court House,
the big Bridge and the State Capitol are fr1ghtfui
warnings of what ruin politicians make OF the
best plans.
Even with the most prudent, economical anu
sagacious management the burden VIII DO
very heavy one. The committee estimate tne
cost of the aqueduct at not more than $ooo,ooo
per mile The length cannot be less tnah
26lo miles. Hence the cost of the aquednct
NAV be nut in round numbers at $l3,OOO,Ooo.
The cost of the Quaker Bridge dam and reser-
yoir ls estimated at not more than $5,OOO,Ooo.
good round total OF $1s,O00,O00. But not
more than New York can afford to pay for an
unstinted supply of pure water, provided only
that the money is all expended honestly IL
must be borne in mind, however, that this
at.t1a and
or damages of any kind. There Is certain TO
be an enormous bill to pay for these
meeting was held at Katonah the other day
to discuss this question. The people OF
that town are determined to be early
in the field, and from some of the speeches
made at that meeting we should infer that the
speakers were looking forward to long life
of ease and aflluence secured by damages
Pressing as New-YOrk's necessities are, TINS
great city has no right to injure In any way
tho prosperity and well-being OF the little
town without proper compensation But III Is
q matter of common experience that when
man has claim against n big city,
land damages or any other damages are apt TO
expand to stupendOus proportions In his eyes.
We may be sure that Katonah, or any other
village which may be affected, will not let
New-York off any too cheaply.
The contrast between the figures of the COM
mttee report and those set forth by the Depart
ment of Public Works is somewhat startling In
February, 1892, the total cost OF the new dain'
reservoir and aQueduct, including" Ito use
Commissioner ThOmpson's exact wordsI every
thing necessary to deliver the water into Cen
tral Park Reservoir" was put at $l4,OOO,OOo.
lump from $14,000,000 to $ls,OOOoOO
in one year is enough to make the timid
taxpayer shyer. 1t is true that the
aoueduct now suggested is of fifteen feet
diameter, while that spoken of last year was
of twelve feet Yet the committee expressly
say that an aqueduct Of fifteen feet Will cost
not more than ID per cent above the amount
required for an aqueduct OF twelve feet One
wear ago the cost of the aqueduct was put NJ
$4,000. 900 and of the dam and reservoir at
SlOOO,0OO. Now they are put at Sl3,oOO,oOO
for the aqueduct and $5,OOOOOO Tor ihe
dam and reservoir From $l0OOO,OOO to
S13. 900. 900 is rise of twice fifteen per cent.
The committee, however. declare their estimates
to be outside ones, and express the opinion
that contracts may be made at somewhat less
snms. There was a prevalent suspicion last
wear that Mr.. Thompson's figures were not
outside ones. 1t was generally expected that
his estimates would prove as elastic as those
for great public works usually are. Aud on
the whole it is gratifying to find that tho
committee, after very careful inquiry, do not
feel Obliged to leave his figures still further
in the rear.
The members Of this committee have done
their duty in manly. straightforward and
thorough way. They have shirked nothing and
have gone about their work with sincere
desire to do what they could for the public
benefit. Now let the Legislature take up this
matter in similar spirit. Let the Senators and
Assemblymen try to sink tho partisan in the
citizen. Let them accept and act on the rec-
concentrations of this committee in broad,
honorable, generous way, and New-Iork may