New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-11
THE BROOKLYN WATER SUPPLY.
CAPACITY OF THE Observation-Disclosures AND
STORAGE FACILITIES.

|
STORAGE FACILITIES.
The Vale OF Cashmere Is q cOScy spot In Prospect
Park radiant with flowers and cooled by the sprays
Of sparkling fountain which gives an agreeable sem
soton to the weary Traveller the drops fall back
into the tiny reservoir which bubbles and edaies as
the spray falls. This favored place in the Park Is
near tho entrance at the plaza, and among the first
things that rise up before Is tho immense water
tower which reaches fur into tho sky from the bank
Of the reservoir adjoining and looks like huge
poplar tree outlined in the air After glnncing at
the magnificent marble monument close by-"To th"
Defenders OF the UniOn 1851 $685. as the inscription
tells. yOu cross FatbuShave. and 90 up tho
steep ascent leading to this tower. II Is not yet
finished and workmen are blsly engaged pounding
away patiently with their chscls on huge blocks Of
granite or hanging from slender scaholdng near III"
top laying on coats OF paint to those parts OF the
structure which not made mp OF stone. The view
from tho top Of the reservoir without ascending me
tower at ALL Is the finest in Kings County. AMI was
awaited OF by many OF the workmcn during the naval
celebration to obtain a view Of that unusual marine
| display
This Of course IS only Insignificant part OF the
source Of Brooklyns great water supply and II you
! are easily satisfied and want to find ont any more
about IT, the best thing to do Is to jump on an electric
car. which whirls you along pleasantly and rapidly
enough until you reach the CITY Hall, where you get
of. Then 20 into the Department Of City Works in
the Municipal Building and You Will hear every
thing about the water works which you don't want
to know from the officials employed here.
Is COMMISSIONER ADAMS ovERwoRKED'
ais tho Commissioner In ~ asked Of one Of the
attendants.
| "IIcs not in now Mr. Murtha' SAID re- James
A. Murtha the deputy commissioners, Is a pleasant
and o!ligng man, who Is well posted OH variety OF
subjects. but though apparently willing enough lets
81 not wait upon d" I woud' If YOU ask him to
! tell anything about the water works.
"Tlcsc matters said Mr.. Murtha. "are within the
! exclusive Jurisdiction OF Commissioner Adams, and
/ II Is TO him and not TO mo you should apply Tor the
| Information you in need off,
"Bnt you can give me- some history OF the works
| you have some printed documents. | SUPPOSE
II believe can do that said he. he passed TO
an adjoining room and brought q fair-sizci vol
umc In pamphlet form.
- What /, It. Mr.. Muriha1' he asked.
THAT IS tn last report said he, and will
probably tell you all you want to know
The pamphlet proved to he the annual report Of
the Department for 1e01. "Wherc Is the report for
1922
alt IS not out yet" said he.
\ visit was made to the next floor To see Robert
Van Burcn. the chief engineer; Van Brunt Bergen.
the first assistant engineer or Mr. Lewis The as
s,sant engineer. but not ono Of tlom was there. \
visit tho same place the next day was unsuccessful
for the Then the clty clerks Office WIS
tried Joseph V. souy was spoken to. IVY" haven't
ANYTHING to do with it, said he; TRY the Mayors
Office
d. d. Phillips Mayor Boody's secretary, was next
seen. We have nothing to do with IT, said he
try Commissioner Adams
RESULT OF 4 SECOND VISIT.
second visit to the Commissioners Office brought
out that official from inner room. lie was toying
with Il card on which printed the worcs
Nrw-Yorb Tribune
what can do for you7T said he.
Please let me see the report of the Department
for Is047
lie went back to his Office and returned soon with
a handsomely bound volume. gili-cdged
Th, Is for i-ol." said the reporter g should
like to see the report for 1co2.'
Il haven't got it,
"Whcn will /, be ready -
Sc don't know
"Thl, report for 1901 bears date February, 1897
should suppose that The report for l-o2 bearing
date February. 1893 would be accessible by this
time
~Can see the original from which that report
will be printed ~
"Non
1t should be mentioned that Mr. Adams receives
70 1860 year from the taxpayers. and the fact that
the annual report Of the Department Of City Works
over which he prc'idcS has not been printed six
months after 1t, Submission to the Mayor looks rs
If they move rather more slowly In city of l'"oooo
Inhabitants thnn the average citizen who has never
made n .tudy of These things /, likely for "A moment
to suspect.
DRAINAGE AREA OF THE SUPPLY.
In,,ru,,i,, ,h.r,f,ro ob,u, I'm, vatcrwor,s had
i'' ~ " -. 80, J..
10 be- CLEANED rom oth'r sources Inc ia'' mann io'
distribution of water from the Ridx'wood station
WA, built in April Of last year. The drainage area
now Of the entire supply Of for this great city
cover, seventy four square miles, The /, con /
vry.d from Rdccwood In four MAINS thirty six inch
one built IA lS5-. one OF light inches in lSG1,
another thirty II inch main laid In 1S-5. and Il
and nf ri ett AL
supplv come, originally from these streams and supply
ond, Valley stream POND, kochVlllc iohu' am
iy.iivc and on,-half acres. ana hold, ij0O)oo1p /
snllos "i Wolr. mere aIr nn o pn'Iimr '"S'"'S'
rhs or, mi works hayc been ru trsci ami extended
since I1jo, and Spragc reservoir added OF /
loo'oo"oo gliO on 'n' h'mP,''.'u S'i'.'l ,,1
az 'S Va ,., noS onD lillian. In I. "a cont,,cts