New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-18
GREAT PROBLEMS AHEAD.
ERooKLYN's WATER SUPPLY DISCUSSED
BY ENGINEERS.
EX- COMMISSIONER WHITES QUESTION INVOLVES
SOME TREMENDOUS ENGINEERING SCHEMES
THE NEW BRIDGE MIGHT BE USED
TO CARRY MAINS OR CONDUITs-
GENERAL FAITH IN LONG
ISLANDS SUPPLY.

ISLANDS SUPPLY.
The question recently raised by Alfred T.
White. ex-Commissioner Of City Works. as to
the supplying Of Brooklyn and NewYork City
with water In the years of increased demand to
come involves some stupendous engineering
problems. which may not have to be settled
now. but which may call for answer In a Few
wears. 1t Is generally believed that Brooklyn
will now find the most expedent source of In.
creased water supply in the Long Island dis
tr,ct n district extensively investigated
nv tho engineers of the City Works De.
oartment Yet Mr. Whites suggestion that
in the future Brooklyn and New-York City may
and that Il is necessary to look to the Delaware
River at Port Jervis and other suggestions relat-
ing to Lake George and to the Hudson at Glens
Falls have already caused speculative interest
among engineers No surveys or plans are at
hand mr. are being prepared, that take these large
nronositions out of the sphere Of general and
,nexact discussion. Nevertheless, 1t is undoubt-
.a,v tru. that In the future>the two big cities,
with the addition, perhaps. OF Jersey city, may
And II necessary to turn to one OF the distant
sources named. and in the light OF that posi-
h,Iitv the question as to how water would be
hroueht to Brooklyn seems TO attach interest
m the construction OF the new East River
Bridge.
Engineer de Varona of the City Works Do
nartment was asked yesterday whether, In his
onnion. provision could be made for carrying
water across the new Bridge in pipes. he SAID
no did not think So although he admitted, In
answer TO a question. that the expense OF bring
ING water to the Brooklyn side by tunnelling the
East River or under the East and North rivers
would be enormous and that the laying OF pipes
across the bed Of the river or rivers would nard-
" nrove satisfactory. Mr.. de Varona said that
the entire question would have to he treated IN
careful calculations before even saie pre-
liminary opinion could be expressed He ADDED
that the subject is only one Of interesting specu-
lation. admitted of no final decision al present.
and had bearing on future possibilities ra'her
than present necessities
c. c. Martin chief engineer and supernlend'
ont Of the Brooklyn Bridge, SAID that theie
would have to be a radical change IN ths con-
structon OF the new East aver pIiase De I.'is
the CARRYING OF water across II in cohuui's cVuu
no provided for He said that under no CIR
cumstances could the present Brooklyn bricse
be adapted to the purpose. The weight OF me
conduts or pipes alone would make speciai
construction necessary and room Tor them
would have to be especially provided
Theodore b. Willis, City Works Commissioners
when asked to give his opinion or the IedsiolIiy
OF carrying water in mains across the new
bridge. said: ,-
The suggestion Is certainly an interesting
one and worth inquiring into don't See why
n ia NOT perfectly feasible or course. the ques-
ton is one OF large proportions. | am free %
say that am not fully informed on the subject
OF water supply for Brooklyn. but | shall try
to be In the near future. Ii is one Of the things
which this Department will take up in earnest
Personally. / am of the opinion that Brooklyn
will not need to go beyond Long Island in order
to get an adequate water supply for years to
come"