New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-15
DROUTH MUST BE FACED.
HIGH TINE FOR RIGID ECONOMY.
THE CITY NOW DEFENDING FOR ITS WATER on

Commissioner Giroy OF the department. VI u"-
lie Works, is thoroughly aroused to the greao
danger which threatens this city on account OF a
failure of the water supply and measures Will
at once be taken TO enforce. as far as possible.
the greatest economy in its use.
The report Of Chief Engineer Birdsail, OF INC
Department Of Public Works. shows that there
is less than eight days supply Of water in the
reservoirs. In the new Central Park reervoir
there was 80 feet 61-2 inches ycsteday morning
gain of one inch. In the old reservoir there was
only feet inches. a loss of f'et 3 inches But
the greatest loss in the Fort ~econd-st reser-
voir where the water was only feet deep yes
terday loss since the day before OF J feet
inches. Mr.. Birdsall said yesterday that the re-
serve reservoirs at Boyd's Corners and the
Middle Branch were exhausted and the city was
only being supplied by the natural run OF water
from the Croton River lie also made the
startling statement that the city was now drawing
on its stored water at the rate of about G5,OOOooo
gallons day. lie said that there was no section
OF the city yesterday which entirely without
water, but that within few days there would
be many such places, unless there a heavy
rain.
Deputy Commissioner Holahan, of the Depart
mcnt of Public Works, made tour in a part Of the
city yesterday and caught two men washing side
walks with hose. When Mr.. Holahan accostcd
these men they dropped their hose and ran away,
guilty conscience lending speed to their feet
Commissioner Gilroy said: :" If the citizens OF
New-York in the face Of this great extremity VIII
not protect themselves / will take what steps i
can to do it for them. 1t is a crime TO waste
water now, and if Imprisonment can be made the
penalty / propose to have it inflicted wherever
we find the law violated After to-day there will
be no street sprinkling and | have called the
Inspectors Of Meters and Waste Waters to meet
here Monday morning, when | will instruct them
to make careful and thorough search for places
where water is wasted Let me say that the
people cannot be too strongly impressed with the
gravity Of the situation
Commissioner Gilroy also sent letters to the
heads of various departments instructing them as
to what they should do to economic the water
Probably the most important of these letters Is
this one to the Fire Department
November II. 1891.
Hon. Henry D. Puroy. President Fire Department.
Dear Sir: The uniformed force Of your Departments
has unrestricted privilege Of opening the IRE hydrans
and using them for the purposes OF the De-
partment This privilege is frequently exercised for the
lavish through hose in washing fire apparatus
quarters and the sidewalks and streets IN front of the
quarters. In the present emergency regarding the city
supply Is absolutely necessary for the preservation
OF the health and comfort population that the use
of all be confined 10 purposes OF aesou'e
necessity.
therefore respectfully request that stringent instuc
ons be issued Fire Department force hot the use
Of water through hose except for cxtngustng fires te
the washing of apparatus In cases "here i
absolutely necessary that the washing or cleansing be
done quickly and that in oil other eases the washing o
appa ratus, and In every the washing OF quarters
sidewalks be done by the use OF buckets ana wIou'
the use OF hose. ThoMAs r. "ihNoi'
The enforcement of the following orders, al
though it will cause a great deal Of Inconvenience
and possibly some suffering, will do away with
much waste Of water:
November IA, 1891
| Joseph Riley. ESQ.,. Water Register
Dear Sir As there always less waste OF water
In drawing water from the hydran for building pur-
po.es where It is not profitable or con'en. 70
draw by direct connection with me
YOU Will please further permits 20 take water ior
building purposes from the fire hydrant' except III {"
whore IL Is absolutely impocabe to make connection WIN
the waerman and in such cases the permits sh'i' oe is
sued only with the express condition uat the
To the nozzes Of fire hydrants for drawing inc water
shall be perfecy waterght and that there sho be aso'
utely no waste The inspectors in your bureau are re-
qured TO that this condition be complied with III every
case and will be held responsible for It's Enforcement
1t is also believed that there Is considerable ""'c oi
winter az the ferry landings and at the Migrants
srong the waterfront where water Is drawn LOT steam
vessels in neglectng promptly and properly 70 cio'e
the hvdrants and connection when die required auae'
CT water have been obtained While the water so drawn Is
in nearly every cose paid b. meter measurement inc
waste reprehcnsibe under all circumstances a. away
diminshes supply and pressure for necessary
and bune. consumption and the Department does not de-
sire obtain revenue account OF any sueh ""sVe'
In the present emergency Regarding the water supply all
waste only reprehensibe but criminal ana you WI"
please the inspectors on water supply 10 spS
use special vigilance and make special ana frequent XII
pcctions promptly detect and stop waste along the "e
front and m every reported where notice 10 stop
such waste promptly complied with you VIII or'2 ''
matter to my immediate attention, so tat orders may DC
-xvhero
| persIsted in THOMAS +. GILRON
Commissioner OF Public Works.
| Tho following letter to Superintendent MURRAY
Of the Police Department, en!ists the services OIL
policemen in preventing waste. Offenders VINO are
arrested will be fined:
| Department Of Public Works, Comnisslonet's ohce,
New.York November IA, 1871.
! William Murray esq, Superintendent CT Police.
Dear Sir In the present emergency regarding he CITY
vater suppy this department found IL necessary early
this week all permits for using water hrouRh
hose for washing sidewalks, stoop areas ana mousse o'
and every holder permit vas notified Dy 'he water
Register of the revocation. Within few lays ahi III
rc.nt NJ no loss than seventyye conn antS of water
being used and through hose for such purposes ana
earnestly request that stringent instructions pe i'ue
to tho police force TO use special vigilance 10 pfoo '
use OF water through hose for these purposes ana II
70 arrest any person pcsstng In such use OF
hose and TO report all coming under their observation
! To this Department without delay.
| THOMAS +. GILRoY. Commissioner of Public Works
The following letters explain themselves:
November IA. 1891.
! william H. Burke esq, Water Puryeyor.
Dear Sir In consequence OF the continuance OF the
drouth and the rapid depletion OF the reserve water sup
ply 1t becomes necessary to discontinue all uses OF "ar
except for purposes absolute necessity and In the PIES
on. emergency regarding supply he use OF the
public drinking hydran for and beast cannot be con-
sdered one Of such necessity You WILL therefore, peae
detail sufficient force for duty at once TO close oil ,he
drtnif hVdra fop mar
charge OF your bureau In shortest possible Tine ana
to keep closed until replenshment Of the supply at
"a by copous rsnfas warrant resumption
| Of the OF the fountains and bydrants
| COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS.
! Department Of Public Works, Commissioners Ohce,
New-York. November II, 1891.