New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-22
THE CITY SUPPLY OF WATER.

Some extreme and impetuOus advocates OF
the Quaker Bridge Dam who insist that so
stupendously costly and hazardous an expert
ment shall be tried at the expense of the tax
payers, whether the taxpayers like it or not,
have been asserting that no benefit will be OBJ
tanned by the city from the new aqueduct until
the proposed colossal dam is built. This is
childish nonsense. 1t has long been well
known that thousands of millions of gallons Of
Croton water are wasted by the overflow at
the Croton dam whenever the river is high, be-
cause the present aqueduct is too small to
carry off sufficient quantity Of water to pre-
vent this overflow. With the immense new
aqueduct properly connected there can be no
question that much Of this overflow can be
prevented, and largely increased supply can
be obtained for the city when water is high
in the Croton Valley. 1t has never been de-
MED by any competent and experienced OBJ
server that the daily supply of the city can be
expanded extensively by the use Of the new
aqueduct, even without the building of any
new reservoirs not already begun; but of
course new and large reservoirs are desirable
in order that the present meagre and scanty
supply shall be doubled. Whether, however
it is necessary to construct so formidable and
perilous mass Of masonry as the proposed
dam may still be an open question.
The most earnest enthusiastic and best
equipped supporter of the Quaker Bridge DAM
Chief Engineer Church. has just resigned his
position as Chief Engineer, preferring to take
up the less onerous and exacting duties Of
consulting engineer. Mr.. Church has devoted
Il. L.. f. b H.. &c
the water supply. His waking hours have
been taken up by his plans and his labors to
that end for many years. No one has ever
questioned his engineering ability. Every one
cordially recognizes the fact that Mr.. Church
has meant to accomplish the best results for the
community. Whether he has always shown
sufficient frmness to stand like rock wall
against all the assaults made upon the city
treasury by graSping and INSCRIPTIONS con-
tractors may not be altogether clear, but any
errors into which he may have fallen have
been due not to lack Of zeal for the public in
terest, but to deficiency in stubbornness and
obstinacy. Although the investigation of the
Senate Committee during the summer proved
that there were many gaps and leaks and bad
spots in the aqueduct it also proved that Mr..
Church had done a marvellous amount Of val
liable and important work in the service of the
city. Every just and fair minded citizen is
ready to acknowledge this. A man with Nnore
inherent resolution, of more unyielding fibre
and of more iron will, who to Mr.. Churchs
engineering abilities and grasp Of the prob
lens before him united the qualities which
make successful watchdogs of the treasury,
might have accomplished even better results.
1t is true also that the overwhelming en-
thusiasm which Mr.. Church brings to the
handling Of great engineering undertakings
may sometimes have carried him too far A
successful engineer often aspires to have his
name connected with some work which shall he
famous through the centuries If the Quaker
Bridge Dam is built it will be the most remark
able construction Of its sort that the world ever
saw. If it proves successful, any engineer ever
born might well be proud to have his name con-
nected with so mighty an edifice. Mr.. Church's
ambition and fondness for fame may have led
him to underrate some of the difficulties and
dangers which enter into so complicated and
portentous an undertaking. But whether
the Quaker Bridge Dam is built or not, his
name will long remain in the remembrance Of
New Workers in connection with the construc-
ton of the new aqueduct now nearing com
DletiOn