New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-10
THE CITps WATER SUPPLY.
GEN. DUANE EXPLAINS HIS LETTER.
ADVANTAGES THAT WILL COME FROM THE NEW
AQuEDUcT-cosT OF THE WORK.

ADVANTAGES THAT WILL COME FROM THE NEW
AouEDUcT-cosT OF THE WORK.
General Duanes letter to the Health Department,
published yesterday. in which he that the COM
pletion Of the new aqueduct will give Increased
water supply to the city until after moro OF
the storage reservoirs in the Croton Basn have been
constructed. caused good deal Of surprise and was
tho subject Of not little criticism. The fact that
large quantities of water arc lost by tho overflow
OF the Croton Dam commented on. for It is .
matter Of record that the number Of days In ono year
In which the dam has ovcrhowed has reached go. and
1t was supposed that portion at least Of this waste
could BIO saved when the new aaucduct was finished
In referring to the matter General Duane said yes
tcfday:
My letter has perhaps been taken too literally
1t was written to prevent people nom entertaining
too great expectations and being led believe that
an unlimited supply Of water would immediately
follow the completion Of the new aqpeducr. There
Is portion Of the year. OF course. when the rains
cause an overflow Of the Croon Dam. This surplus
water might be utilized but t would only be available
TOR short periods and to do this would. think
DO OF doubtful proprety II would be hard to explain
to people Why they have water on their upper floors
today ana have none tomorrow. Besides. such q
course would be likely cause many accidents. The
suplrs water could be made useful only while the
overflow actually exists
There viii be few immediate advantages
resulting from the completion Of the new aoueduct
Ono is that the Central Park Reservoir can be kept
constantly filed. Another is that the old aaueduct
can be overhauled and repaired thing that is
necessary and ought to be- done as soon as the new
| aquednct be used. A break In the old aaueduct
Just now would leave New-York In a sorry plight
Bilr until the Sodom Dam reservoirs are finished
shah reap decided advantage in the way of an
Increased supply of water and our people ought not
to be deceived about IT.
Commissioners Scott and Tucker and State Engineer
Bogart agreed with President Duane's view of the
subject.
The bids for CLEARING away the timber, brush, etc.
10 prepare for the construction Of the East Branch
Reservoir at Southeast Putnam County, were opened
Dy tho Aqueduct Commissioners yesterday. The
chief engineer estimated that the work ought to
cost $4,000. but the bidders took different view
Of their opportunities. There were half a dozen %
them and their bids ranged from $1,000 UP to
S45, 900. The bids were referred TO the Chief Ed
gncer according to custom, but none Is likely to be
accepted. and readvertsing will probably be ordered
statement Of the cost Of the new Aqueduct from
its beginning 10 date placed on record. as follows
| Since the work began the Commissioners have paid
out 81 1872 10 for salaries and incidental expenses
OK g. The s scato ens
prerIums on the bonds $3.50, ASS 20, and from sale
Of property not needed, 1851; total, $40, 529,
| the credit Of tho Commission, s483,415 SO.
SET BACK FOR TILE QUAKER BRIDGE DAM
1t was stated yesterday by person who IS In a
position to know that the question Of the erection
of the Quaker Bridge dam has been practically settled
and that the decision will be adverse TO the project.
The hearings the subject have not been finished.
be said, but received positive information to-day
which satisfies me that the Aqueduct Commissioners.
who month ago the strongest advocates Of the
scheme, have been convinced that 1t Is mistake and
have abandoned It The smaller reservoirs will be
pushed forward to completion as rapidly as possible.
| but there WIN be no Quaker Bridge DAM
city official who holds close relations with some
| of the Commissioners said yesterday: "Tho Quaker
Bridge dam project has gone up for the present. at
least cannot say that it has been abandoned alto
gether but 1t has received setback that IL will take
| two or three years 10 recover from.r
| To what do you ascribp tho defeat of the tobi'
Tho strong light thrown upon II by The Tribune
and that papers determined and intelligent opposition
| have had much 10 do with it.n