New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-18
THE CrTYS WATER SUPPLY.
WHO SHALL TURN THE BIG sPIGoTSP
WILL THE FLOW BE TURNED OFF ?-coMMIs-
sIoNER GILRoY's CLAIM.

WILL THE FLOW BE TURNED OFF ?-CoMMIs-
sIoNER GILRoY's CLAIM.
An interesting dispute is in progress between the
four regular Aqreduct Commissioners and Controller
Myers regarding the management OF the waterway
and the man who ought to employ and pay the CHI
ployes engaged the Aqueduct between Croton Lake
and Central Park. The Controller says that the worh
is IN such forward state that IL ought 10 be turned
to the city authorities. and the care ana nian
tenance Of the Aqueduct ought 70 be placed III ''0
hands Of the Commissioner OF Public WORKS TO-
dent Duane and his three associate Commissioners
Messrs, scott, Tucker and Cannon, conVeho oa' uoS
should remain in control Of the work. ana OF uie per
sons employed until the final completion OF tie hquc
duct.
Controller MYERS attended the meeting OF the ION
struction Committee yesterday, and rather poinenn
remarked that he should hereafter deche " pay H1
employees certified by the Commission, on inc eroulu
that the service involving the care ana maintenance
of the Aaueduct should be furnished by inc depart
ment of Public Works, and the money needed shouiu
he supplied from the appropriation OF the latter oe
partrpent The subject discussed ut tle ieguiar
meeting Of the Aqueduct Commission yesterday fres
dent Duane with the approval OF his fellow members
sent the following letter to Commissioner Sliroy
some of the members Of the Aqueduct Commission
have received from the Controller an intmaton that
ne may hereafter refuse to honor the weehlS pS S
rolls Of this Commission II he shod slop nav y'",
course the Commission would be unable 10 pay d
number of its employees who are now engaged on INC
Aoueduct between Croon Lake and the Centl'ti Fah
We do not know that this course, II aoOpteu, VIZ ~
deprve us of the services OF these employees but II
may do So and if II should would necessltate INC IN,
shutting oil Of the water. This result cdhno'' Vi
course, be permitted at any cost. .,u,-s,o, 90
/ am therefore, instructed by the Commission 10
ask you to hold yourself in readiness 10 smppH f
your Department al short notice If necessary te lev
men requisite to regulate and watch the no" OF WC1l
The Aqueduct Commission regrets that tile wOrh
Of construction has not yet sufficiently advanced 10
warrant them in farming over the whole structure 10
your Department. but we feel assured that your o.
probation of the necessity for keeping up the present
supply Of water will lead you, If the occasion arse,,
10 furnish the small amount OF labor necessary 10 hoeP
the Aaueduct in use curing the few months that must
eapse before Il is finally completed. j. T. Dn ~
The Aoueduct Commissioners also sent letter 10
CORPORATION Counsel Clark asking for his opinion on
the question In dispute. They maintain in this Iettef
that their present plan Of operations should hot pe III
terrupted particularly at this time OF the year. lHeS
say that they cannot turn over the Acqueduct TO te
Depanent of Public Works any one else because 1t
Is not vet completed, and that until then they must re-
tain Jurisdiction over it and preserve the public prop
erty from damage and injury. To do this would be SUD
yeIive of all discipline and most unfortunate sVSo
of affairs would result if the tunnel ana gates were 10
be placed under the control OF one department. whe
the gatehouses and headhouses were under announcer
Jurisdiction. Misunderstanding and quirreS among
the employees of the two departments might occur
making the service less effective. The employment
of few men is involved in the controversy COhuOier
Myers said yesterday that he merely desired to ma out
if the men employed doing construction work
on unfinished portions of the Aqueduct or whether ty
were caretakers and operators IN permanent gate
houses If the latter they should be controlled BY inc
Commissioner OF Public Works and paid by him.
Commissioner GilrOy had left his once Yesterday
when President Duane's letter was sent to nm ,,
Chief Engineer Fteey in "a letter addressed by him
10 the Construction Committee yesterday, calls at
tention the fact that there are seven gaehoSGo Oh
the line Of the Aqueduct, and also about sixty nree
gates of expensive and elaborate construction, a Vi
Which must be kept in perfect order for the regulation
Of the ilow of water in the new Aqueduct Even IL
tie Aoueduct were to be allowed to remain idle MI.
Fcley insists that il would stH be an exercise OF Ony
common prudence TO provide trustworthy men to watch
the gates and prevent the possibility OF damage.
These works are in charge OF the men enPiOSeu ny
the Commission