New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-03
NOT TO DUMP IN THE HARBOR
DISCUSSING THE BILL TO PREVENT IT.
sySAToR EvARTs EXPLAINS ITS FEATURES AND
ASKS FOR SUGGESTIONS.

syyAToR EvARTs EXPLAINS ITS FEATURES AND
ASKS FOR SUGGESTIONS.
Senator Evarts came all the way from Washing
ton Yesterday 10 attend conference with members
Of the Chamber OF Commerce and Others interested
IN the bill to prevent obstruction and inluri-
Gus deposits within the harbor and adjacent
waters of New-York city, by dumping or other
wise, and to punish and prevent such offences
Charles S. Smith, the president of the Chamber,
presided. and there were present IN the nan
among others, S. ID. Babcock, John m- Fiske'
Captain Ambrose Snow, Henry Hentz, Alexander
L. Orr, Samuel Harding Captain T. L Palmer
Captain James Parker. Captain Henry Lroeh'
and James s. @. Stranahan.
Mr. Smith announced the object OF the meet
Ing and said that it would be aosoiutey III
formal, and then Senator Evarts explained the
present condition Of the OIL in the shape In
which it received the Endorsement OF the OhamDer
of Commerce, it provided that the control Oh
the work should be vested in board OF three
officers OF the General Government, appointed by
the President as follows: An oncer Oh the
United States Army Corps Of Engineers, not below
the rank of captain; line onceI OF inc nay ~.
sistant of the United States Coast Survey Corps,
she three together 70 act as Harbor Commissioners
When the bill came up IN the senate on darch
selection providing for the appointment OF board
of three officers the following: line officer OF
the navy shall be designated by the PRESIDENT
as Supervisor of the barbor, TO act under the
direction of the Secretary Of War Ii enforcing
the provisions Of this act"
THE AMENDMENT SEEMS NECESSARY.
Senator Evarts explained that this change was
IN accordance with the idea that had lately found
great favor that the best way to get work well
done was 70 put it under the control OF single
responsible head. lie had no opinion TO express
concerning which method would prove most
sficent in the present instance he desired to act
In accordance with the wishes OF the
Chamber of Commerce Both the Senate and tho
House he said, were disposed to do what Was
right and fair IN aiding Newly ork 10 prevent the
filing up of the harbor. He thought the bill
as amended would pass Witho9t tne anehu
ment it was exceedingly doubtful whether IL
interests Of New York thought the amendment 50 50
vitsted the bill as to render the Killing OF ~; ~
desirable, he thought that he could preVent us
passage. But he would by no means uhuertaNc
to secure its passage without the Amendment. l..
Mr. Stranahan SAID that be could nor see InaI 10
made much difference TO the Chamber WneIher
the Commission had three members or one. Jap
tain Parker SAID he could not see the proprieY
OF having lot Of Army men IN charge Oh az
aquatic Improvement. lie added that army NM
Navy officers never did and never would pun
well together.
ANOTHER VIEW OF THE CHANGE PROPOSED.
Mr. Smith thought that he could see what
was the milk in the cocoanut' The quesCioh
involved he said. went further than the nero
matter Of looking after the dumping IN New-lorK
Harbor. In the near future there would probably
be an appropriation Of two or three millions to
provide thirty feet of water at SANDY HOOK sar
on low water The amendment indicated that
the Board of United States Engineers wanted 10
get control of that expenditure. To that he was
Strongly opposed He preferred that such WORK
should be in charge of compassion similar W
that provided in the original bill
After Mr. Orr Mr.; Harding and Captain, SNOW o,s
had contributed TO the discussion. Senator EVar's
answered some of their criticisms and suggeS
tions lie repeated his conviction that the 81,
would not pass without the amendment lie dId
not think that the matter OF controlling the
dumping in the harbors was strictly speaking, a
naval one II did not involve precedent as re-
CARDS the control of the larger apprroPrlS11on.
The general opinion seemed 10 prevail IN Con-
rress that the best security for the expenditure
Of large sums Of money in the execution OF pup up
lie works was TO put it under the control OF the
War Department or the Navy Department, which
ever it properly belonged TO. The conference
ended with the adoption OF q motion leaylng the
whole matter with Senators Eyarts and HlscocK
with the request that they do Whatever 'ney
shinx hest.