New-York tribune., 1884-03-24
WATER FOE FIRE PURPOSES.
THE NEEDS or THE DRY GOODS DISTRICTS


DISCUSSING THE RAMAPo AND THE wORrmNGroN
PUMP SCHEMES.
The bill to amend the General Laws OF this
State so as to permit private company to lay pipes for
the distribution OF water in this city for fire and power
purposes is thought likely to pass the Legislature at an
early day TRIBUNE reporter Saturday visited sew
era Of the merchants supposed to be interested In the
movement, to obtain information concerning the plans
proposed.
C. c. worthington. Of the Henry r. worthington
Hydraulic Company, said:
We desire to have this question thoroughly discussed.
is simply modification OF the General Law, to al
low the formation OF company for the purpose OF laying
power purposes The rights to De granted 10 such
company by the Sinking Fund Commissioners We wish
to lay pipes in the dry-goods districts only .
What viii II cost to put your scheme into operatonI
About 81 100000 which is to be PAID by the company
which we propose organize We shall probably dstrlb
the water from pumping stations located near Ihe
scarce otsupPy We VIII furnish waerin suicleRt qdIn
titles to supply all the fire streams that can DC haIsu
by the Fire Department and for as long time as may Do
How soon could your plan be made ayailabel
As far as we have gone in our calculations we are con-
vinced that the works could DO put in operation IN about
Eight months from the beginning
A. NJ. Kirby secretary of the Continental Insurance
Company, said:
The Board OF Underwriters passed resolution
recommending that its members sign memorial to
the Legislature, asking for the modification OF tho
law requested We are not fayoring any par
districts but we will advocate any scheme which looks
to increased protection against fire. We believe tnat
the RamaPo water d scheme Sch DS Is most @ sr e e
which will bring permanent and reliable PFotec-
OF things could be but a temporary relief. The
gravity pressure s much to be preferred TO tne direct
BY the WorthingtOn Company to be good one especially
as it will bring almost Immediate increased protection
from fire. The more ways In which we can protect our
property against fire the better
John Claln, OF the hrm of X. B. Clanin Co., said
We have not been working in favor of establishing a
new water supply other than that from the Ramapo
River protect the dry goods dsrcts in this city, but
heartily in favor OF such scheme aud are willing
nernisson TO Law ppes etc We have no pecuniary in
terest the 1t desirable that we have an
increase in our water supply these districts and parc
lary desirable that that supply should be under continuous
pressure The dry goods districts at present made
quatey protected against fire.
James II. Durham, OF the firm OF Durham, Buckley d
Co., saidI
regard 10 the worthington Pump Companys plan OF
increasing the water supply we are favorable 10 ~ put
we consider 1t a mere makeshIft; we want something
more than that II could have the water as proposed
by the RamapO Company we hoad De the best protected
city against fire I'm the world instead OF Deng the worst
protected We are emphatcaly In favor OF
having the water from tho Ramapo Kiyer and tnlnE
that is the most desirable possible scheme
We signed a petition TO be taken TO Albany, asking
Iay ppes in The streets our only interest in this quos
ton Is simply increase the protection TO our property
l. NJ Batcs Of the firm OF Bates Reed Cooley, said:
I am opposed to this scheme. What want Is in
creased elevation such offered by the Ranapo Com
pany. fear that II this WOrtDingon pump scheme Is
carried through 1t viii prevent any permanent reliable
plan being carried ont. Three hundred Ieet rise at our
city line, such Is offered by the Ranapo Company,
would give such water pressure - we need, and
would be permanent and reliable supply, ana IaYor
that plan
T. s. JaIray, Of the firm Of e. g. Jafray & Co.. said:
gyBefore we CrOon water had wells at the cor
c of every street. Whether those could be opened or
INV Considerable auantty Of water obtained in that way
do NOT know The first attempt to put In an aresian
aud know that he spent considerable money and time,
but failed to get any water. 0ai that tAis Pump COM
many will not water IL TO. am IN GaFOr OF
any scheme-Or OF dozen schemes for that matter
which We can get greater protection from hre |! the
ro-aryir nj FoyccOndst could he used entirely for
fire nurpO,es we should have all the water and pressure
that we need That could be made available at once and
tc wafer level wOud be above the tops OF any OF the
buIinQs downtown This would seem 10 me to be the
host Dlan of all opposed 10 the scheme proposed by
the kamapo Improvement Company for we 90 not seem
In he allie 10 find ont who a the back OF IL ana the
prcsentment their facts before the Commissioners was
not 5uch as TO gain my confidence IN theH operations