New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-19
THE FAMINE POSTPONED.
MORE WATER IN THE RESERVOIRS.
DANGER NOT YET AvEErED-RAIN DRIVEN OFF
BY TIE COLD WAVE.

DANGER NOT YET AvEErED-RAIN DRIVEN OFF
BY THE COLD WAVE.
Commissioner Giroy and Chief Engineer Bird
sail expressed much qualification yesterday at
what they called the improved outlook In the
water supply Reports from the Croton water
shed had informed them that an average OF more
than one inch had fallen there during the rain
storm Of Tuesday. This, Mr. Gilroy said would
add 700, 900 gallons of water to the quantity
stored. but 1t would be unwse and unsafe as
yet to increase the daily supply until there is more
rain. The pressure will therefore stay at
$4,000, 900 gallons day until further notice, and
there will be no "let-up' in the vigilance of the
officers whose duty it is to enforce economy in tho
use of water.
The water in the main Central Park reservoir
measured thirty feet and one and one-half inches
yesterday, a fall Of two inches in twenty-four
hours. In the old Park reservoir it measured
four feet nine inches, fall of twelve inches. No
change in the Forty second-st reservoir was noted.
Upon the reports of the inspectors, the water
was shut off from several buildings where it was
being wasted. All the Russian, Turkish and
similar bathing houses not supplied from artesian
wells have been ordered to shut down. The
manager of the Russian and sea water swimming
baths in the Produce Exchange building has
offered the city the Of its salt water pipe,
leading from the head of Pier / to the Produce
Exchange, which would be serviceable in case
of downtown fire. The artesian well connected
with the baths is also at the city's disposal Six
years ago or more the city of New-York acquired
large body of water known as Byram Lake.
some six miles from the Kensico reservoir, the
intention being to increase the city's supply by
tunnelling underground for about one mile, and
through the channel thus made secure fall
which would let the waters of Byram Lake have
an untrammcled flow to the reservoir. Surveyors
were at work for some time laying out the work
to be done, and when their labors complete
q contract was given, and for many months
large force Of italians, teamsters and teams
was engaged in pushing forward the work.
and then for some unexplained reason the
scheme was abandoned. A large sum of money
must have been expended on the work; the city,
it is alleged owns all the right Of way and yet
everything has been at standstill for years.
Byram Lake water would be appreciated just now.
beyond doubt by all residents Of New-York.
Mr. Dunn, the local weather forecast official,
held out slight hopes yesterday for any more
rain until tomorrow night, at least. lie said
that there clear and cold weather throughout
the country, the extraordinarily cold wave ex-
tending over the entire United States. He said
there was no State east Of the Rocky Mountains
that was not experiencing freezing weather eX-
cept the extreme southern end of Florida. The
coldest place was Moorhead, in Minnesota, where
the temperature was 10 degrees below zero. The
lowest in this city yesterday was 30 degrees
above zero early in the morning. At midnight
last night the temperature was 20 degrees, and
the wind, which had been blowing at the rate
of thirty-ave miles hour during the day, had
lfx&lo
poets, Mr.. Dunn said, were for fair and slightly
colder weather to-day. Tomorrow afternoon the
weather may grow somewhat warmer
The reports which have been coming in from
the Croton Lake region to the effect that the
water in the lake is rising explained by
Chief Engineer Birdsall yesterday. He is using
the lake o storage place, and diverts all the
water he can into il. Therefore the gain in the
lake means nothing, as IL simply signifies c0rre-
spending loss elsewhere.
If the drouth continues it will have bad effect
winter athletic sports
The Manhattan Athletic Club has shut of its
swimming tank entirely, and Of the four large
shower baths only two are In use DR.. Z. +.
Linhart, the medical adviser and gymnastic in
structor, said last night that it had become neces
sary to restrict each bather to one minute, and
that often twenty-five or thirty men were in line
waiting for their turn to take bath. There were
not many men the floor last night
The New-Yorll Athletic Club also experiences
the dlscomforts incidental 10 the general drouth.
Their large swimming-tank has been shut off. the
same as the Manhattans.
In Woods Gymnasium the water also
scarce and that place is patronized largely
by men who come simply for recreation. the effect
is unpleasant.
Though orders have been issued by the Depart
met of Public Works that public baths shall
Use no CrotOn water for the present. the Hoffman
House baths were open last night. and the clerk
told reporter that they had received no notice
To stop using the water. II, also said that they
were experiencing no trouble in the baths ON
count of reduced pressure, as the water was all
pumped into tank on the roof which then
supplied the water for the baths.