New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-19
WHAT TO DO WITH TIE CITY'S REFUSE.

| A COMMITTEE SUGGESTS THAT 1T ALL BE USED
TO FILL IN LAND AT RIKER's ISLAND.
Controller Myers and President Barker OF the Tax
Department, who were appointed committee OF the
Board OF Estimate to examine the subject OF nnal as
positlon Of street collections. submitted their report
Yesterday 1t carefully and exclusively reviews the
entire subject and recommends that the present sys-
fem NJ disposng the refuse by carrying 1t out to
Goa be abandoned and that 1t be used for filling In
land under water at Rikers Island The disposal
of the garbage by cremation Is discussed, but lett
for future decision The report shows that the pres
emf method IS wasteful and extravaganza. The COM
mittee. taking the figures OF the Mayors advisory
committee on street cleaning as basis prove the
material deposited in the dumps is composed of ashes
80 per cent, garbage IL per cent
street sweepngs "a per cent, Ice and
snow per cent. 1t is shown that the street ma
ter can easily be carried to Rikers Island and that
the towage would be less than Onehan involved In the
nresent system The saving which would thus be
effected by making Rlker's Island the point OF final
disposition is placed mt S1sOOOO a year, $613.
n 90 during the period necessary for filling in those
lands under water. The city would thus gain 3o4
acres OF upland The net benefit Is estimated at
III, 1O1, 523.90.
The report goes on to say "The chief advantage
in utilizing Rers Island for this purpose Is that no
separation Of ashes from garbage would be necessary
during the tine when the question OF selecting the
most eHicacious method for such separation may De
under advlsement and that the work may be carried
on in such manner that II some definite system OF
separaon and garbage cremation may be finally de-
clded upon the work Of filing In Rikers Island once
accomplished the city will be Mt once free to avail
itself Of the more desirable SYSTEM with most pac
rrabe beneAt already secured. The Health Depart
men has evinced It's desire to aid In this matter BY
every means within It's power, and expresses u us
n willingness to assume the sanitary supervision OF
the dumping and dsinfection OF all material that may
he placed behind the crbwork at Rikers Island"
A letter from the president OF the Board Of Health
accompanies the report, which asserts that all ma
teraI including garbage, which may be dumped at
this point behind cnbwOrk nprap, ana submerged
nv salt water, can under circumstances be dele
FERROUS to health even without inspection and dsin
fection and that as to all material dumped above
high water mark, it will be cared for by tho Health
Department, and thoroughly dislnfectcd In such
manner as TO make II entirely harmless and tnof-
fensive.'
Impressed with the pecuharities and delays OF TIE
contract system, the committee recommends that
the Commissioner Of Street Cleaning be called upon To
report to the Board OF Estimate which method
whether by contract, or by the city with its own
plant and furnishing Its labor would, In his 1udg
nent effect such final disposition most efficiently ana
economically, and that the Dock Department DE re
ng around Rkers Island In sections, OF an enclosure
u either rprap or crbwork, AS In their Judgment
may be more desirable and economical, In accordance
With the recommendations OF this report
We also etOhmcnd that one or more pubic near
ngs be given on the subject OF the scientific final
disposition Of garbage. by cremation, desccatlon or
be fully explained and discussed, with view toward
the ultimate adoption OF such system as may De
economic disposition of the garbage Of the city Of New
York.