New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-17
AFFAIRS IN BROOKLYN.
WANT TO CLOSE THE GowANUs CANAL.

WANT TO CLOSE THE GOWANUS CANAL.
THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS FILLING IN
THE wATERwAY-ANoTHER PROPOSITION.
The Cowanus Canal Commission, composed Of
Health Commissioner Griffin, William Harper and How
ard j. Forker, laid its report before Mayor Chaplin
yesterday The Commission was appointed to examine
into and report plans for the Improvement Of the
canal and has had seventy witnesses before It,
Their testimony carefully considered and the Com
missoncrs say:
We are led to decide that the filling or closing up
Of Gowanus Canal is the best means of its improve
ment or betterment. Beyond question this so-called
canal is a private waterway, not than $50 feet
of property along either of its banks exclusive OF the
bridge crossings, belonging TO the public further;
IL is incontestabe that, while the canal is source OF
great profit to less than hundred persons, firms or
corporations who enjoy monopoly OF It's ownership,
it is detrimental to health obstructive to traffic and.
therefore, injury In its present condition TO prop
erty values throughout sOtlth Brooklyn. The testl-
mony taken by us as well as the opinions OF our
chemical and sanitary experts Drs. Kent and BAKER
leads to the conclusion that among the most posi-
tive sources of pollution of the canal waters and u
the surrounding atmosphere are:
First-The Fulton Municipal Gas WOrKS
secOnd-The Atlantic Starch Works
Thid-The Color Works of Masury Son.
Fourth-The Lime Kiln.
F1fth-The New-York Tartar Company.
Sixth-The paper factory of Phillips co.
The expense of filing up the canal and OF lndenih
fyng owners of property on the banks would proba-
bly, be not less than S10,0OO,0oo. The report say
Of this: We of the opinion that tho Guy col'
afford to bear the expense, in view OF the DeneIi'S
which would certainly accrue 10 so important secuon
Of Brooklyn that through which this uncleah pouy
of water crculates" In the city shall not desire
to expend so much money the Commissioners SUNNI
the following recommendations for the Improvement
of the canal:
l. The establishment of municipal control and police
OF the canal . ,,,- ,,.o .,o
IL The absolute cuttngof of all discharges into the
canal from factories and sewers, pubic anu PIN
and providing adequate system OF sewerage lor 0
nj The Immediate and thorough repair OF IT, ihe
bulkheads along the canal and basins, and shedUnne
| the same. - .o..o,, ord
| nv. The thorough dredging to hard bottom anu
greater depth required for commerlal purposes, a'
the present time and whenever necessary hefcaI'er.
| " The building and maintaining OF nushhs sa.e S
and conduit for the cleansing Of the canal as may
appear necessary hereafter. ,u,,,,,sdcos and tbo
VI The removal of the present drawoEdges ana s s
nIacing of permanent fixed bridges, with snltaOe ap
nroaches over all crossings, at sumcleht eleN ao
10 meet the requirements of traffic on the CANAL GA
The estimated cost OF these improvements IS
s7s5 900 Mr.. FOrker concurred in the man VIII VIII
the report but submitted minority report IN rrsaII
to the poliution OF the water from sewage CORPORA
on Counsel jerks holds that the Commission hdu no
poWer TO report what steps should DO taken u co'o
| the canal