New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-15
THE CITY IN SORE STRAITS FOR WATER.

THE CITY IN SORE STRAITS FOR WATER.
Nothing except war could be more disturbing
to the people of great city than water famine.
Even the possibility of such disaster is deplor-
able. We have no wish to exaggeIate the pres
ent danger, but certainly it seems to be both
real and immediate. 1t is true that the cutlery
of the officials is not new, and that it has hithero
been made use of for jobbery purposes. When
Hubert o. Thompson was Commissioner Of Pub
lie Works, and while the bill authorizing the
construction of the new Aqueduct was pending
at Albany the gates Of the Croton main were
deliberately lowered two inches and the people
were compelled to endure the most cruel priva-
tons in order that strong public sentiment
might be worked up to support what Thompson
expected to malle-a colossal County Democracy
steal That the present city authorities are as
capable of this sort of deviltly as ever Thompson
was we make no doubt at all, and if the Quaker
Bridge Dam were still impending, or even II
the Aqueduct Commission were in Iammanys
full control, we should be inclined to look else
where than to the rainfall for an explanation OF
the warnings we have been receiving for the
last few DAYS. The present situation, however,
affords no adequate reason for Tammany tricks
and we are compelled to consider that the city
is confronting most dangerous state OF AFFAIRS
New-Yorll has been consuming since the new
tunnel was put into service about lac, 100000
gallons of water daily, twice as much as the pop
ulation of the city would require were the use
of the water properly guarded. But it is we'll
known that in the 1900 liquor-saloons one or
two and often several, faucets are kept open
all the time. This is an outrageous waste, ana
in such times of prolonged drouth as the present
II becomes menace to the health and comfort
Of every household. But there is no easy way
of stopping it, If the saloon-keepers could be
prevailed on to observe reasonable degree OF
economy there would at once be notable I'M
provement in the reservoir supply. This IS now
hourly falling, and the 500, 900 gallons now
contained in the reservoir will be consumed II
the dsouth continues within the next week. This
will leave the city entirely dependent on the
daily flow of the Croton River, which under
normal conditions supplies between forty and
fifty million gallons. Already, however, lhe
river has sensby fallen, and it is doubtful II 1t
is now furnishing more than 2o,OOO,ooo gal
Ions. The possibilities, therefore, are calam-
itous, and the positive duty is imposed on every
citizen to reduce the consumption OF his family
and business establishment to the lowest pos
sible point. =.
The city officials are undoubtedly doing now
all that they can for the public protection, but
this is not much. Street-sprinkling has been
abandoned, and orders have been issued for
bidding the private use of hose. Manufacturing
establishments, however aside from the saloons
are the main points to which attention must be
directed They are thought to consume about
20. OOO. 600 gallons daily, and considerable
fraction of that could certainly be saved The
point should be pressed home upon every such
consumer that he must choose between economy
and the suspension of his business, for II this
drouth goes on that is what it will surely in
volve. Unhappily, no prospect OF natural leiler
is ajparent This is not the time OF year when
we can look confidently for heavy rains, fact
that should always be borne in mind. The chief
fault of the city officials, indeed, lies in their
failure TO give heed to the circumstance that Tor
six months the rainfall has been steadily dimin-
ishing. They should have observed that, and
should have begun taking precautions against its
natural consequences at least six weeks ago.
II il an example of their stupid folly that they
allow the city to 90 on with its regular con-
SUMPTION while the supply is steadily reducing
and wait until famine is upon us before they
cry out.