St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-15
NEW YoRK,s DISADVANTAGES.


In the fight between Chicago and
New York for the COLUMBUS centen-
NAL the former scores a good point
against the latter in adducing the proof
of the inadequacy of New York's water
supply and the inefficiency of its sewer
age system. Healthfulnessi is, or should
be, the prime consideration in selecting
site for the great exposition. Phila-
delphia's experience during the cen
tennial of 1876 should be sufficient to
impress the Importance of this fact
upon the public mind. Philadelphia is
a healthier city than New York, has a
better water supply, better drainage,
and is not so overcrowded. Yet during
the six months OF the Philadelphia ex-
position the annual rate of deaths by
typhoid fever rose to more than one per
thousand, nor did this record take ac-
count of those who were infected during
their stay in that city and returned
home to die. 1t will be remembered
that the centennial fever, as 1t was
called, left traces in many households
throughout the entire country. The
chances for repetition of this expert
ence, with aggravated features, are
exceedingly good in case the exposition
is held in New York. The inadequacy
of the water supply in New York is no
toriols. According to the testimony of
sanitary experts, recently submitted to
the New York chamber of commerce, the
supply in the dwelling and tenement
houses of that city is very largely re-
Stricted, not reaching even the first story
during working hours of factories, from
Z a. m. to Up. m. And according to these
experts the inconvenience of this made
quate supply is nothing to the injury to
health from the imperfect flowing OF
house drains and of the public sewers.
The new aqueduct does not promise
to relieve these difficulties, for the in
creased supply will not begin to equal
in proportion the increase of popula-
ton. The American Economist is au-
thority for the statement that the city
of New York is not only at the present
time short of an adequate supply of
water to the extent of nearly 100000
gallons, but that, with all the possible
additions now contemplated up to 1892,
the city will be short in the neighbor-
hood of 100000 gallons per day.
Then, again. New York has less houses
in proportion to the population than any
other city in this country. 1t counts
million of its inhabitants in tall tene-
ment houses, with hardly more of light
and air than is indispensable to sustain
life. The deficiency of water in these
buildings results in accumulations in
sinks, impregnating the atmosphere
with foul emanationS.
1t must be admitted that the outlook
in New York is not particularly invit-
ing to the half a million or more of Wis
ltors who will want to take in the eX-
position of 1892. Chicago has the adj
vantage of an abundant water supply,
lakes can be turned into the city if
necessary. 1t is true that Chicago
would be benefited if the river could be
diverted from it's course and made to
run around the city instead of through
it. And then Chicago is not over
crowded. There is plenty of house
room, and some to spare.
But after all, the best place on the
continent for the great exposition of
1892 would be st. Paul, if the people of
our metropolis could only find time to
devote to the show business. That is
out of the question, however, for we
have already too much on hand to
spare time for amusementS. The eX-
position will have to go to some finished
town, and as between New York and
Chicago, the latter has all the advan-
tages.