New-York tribune., 1896-01-30
A NUISANCE UNABATED.
NEW ARRANGEMENTS NEEDED AT THE
18TH REGIMENT ARMORY
LEADERS FROM THE ROOF DISCHARGE WATER
ON THE sIDEwALKs-ICE MENACE TO
PEDEsTRIANs-NO DIRECT SEWER

THE SIDEWALkS-ICE MENANE ~
PEDEsTRIANs-No DIRECT SEWER
CONNECTIONS.
Several months ago an article was printed IN
The Tribune calling attention to a serious delect
in the work of finishing the new 18th Regiment
Armory at Sumner Putnam and Jemerson aVes''
the leaders from the roof being permitted 10
discharge their contents directly on the SIDE
walk instead Of conveying the water into the
sewers In the case Of a heavy shower IL "as
pointed out the sidewalks on putnam ana 1ei-
ferson aves. were flooded with water 10 the
depth Of an inch two and for distance vi
several feet, and as torrent was poured out at
such times It was not triiing matter lor d
pedestrian to stem It.
No attempt was made to remedy the derect'
and since winter set in another serious NUISANCE
has ariseN in the form Of coatings OF ice a' 'he
points where she leaders terminate Ihese are
four In number. e>~o on each OF me avenues
named. The recent he>vy rain destroyeu a''
the Ice but previously It was both nuisance
and danger to people having occasion 70 pass
along the armory. The sidewalk IN Jeiierso"-
ave. is exposed to the sun. and the ice u'o "o'
linger there long. but on the north size ol 'he
armory in Putnam-ave. one stretch OF ice was
viewed with satisfaction by no one but the sh'a''
boys Of the nelghborhood. who used IL ior
skating pond II extended the full width Of the
sidewalk and was from twenty to twenty-five
feet in length, with rather irregular outlines at
both ends.
ANY private owner who should construct or
permit leader to discharge across the side-
walk in this fashion would certainly be cailed
70 account in a hurry. 1t seems almost IN
credible that such work the part OF the city
can have been allowed to remain nearly year
undisturbed. The leader comes down the size
OF the building. then turns at an obtuse angle
and starts in the direction Of the sidewalk. 1t
is carried out as far as the fence and there
abruptlv comes to an end. The water spreads
out over the walk and unless 1t is stayed by
freezing. finally finds its way into the sewer at
Putnam and Sumner aves.
In an effort To find out who was responsible
for this shabby and disrcputable state Of things
to say nothing Of its danger. for it is certain
that the city might be cast In heavy damages
il anv one should clip on this ice and suffer in
iurics-a call made on Eudolphe l.. Daus
the architect Of the armory. He disclaimed all
responslbility for it, and said that these leaders
were originally connected with the sewers; oy
whom or at whose orders they were discon-
ncctcd he did not know. He professed Fnucn
Ignorance on the subject. and seemed 70 regard
/, as a delicate one. worthy OF being handled
dinIomatica!ly nc declared that the sewers in
the avenues on the sides Of the arlrory were too
small To- cary off the water. They wee only
twelve inches IN diameter. he thought, ana ne
vas sure that there lad been conference on
the subject with some officials OF the City Works
Deuartment bu; what had been done ne dld NOT
know He sail the quantity Of water collected
T. he armory roof was imm, nse, as' II covered,
In round ig,ircs 5000 square feet. or more IMAM
three times the roof space that would EaVe 10 DE
provlded for II houses had been Duit on the
| In
| rear OF them
| Mir Daus resolutely refused 10 name any names
! in connection with the matter though ne ad-
| mltted that the danger from n coating or ice
! on tho sidewalk vas serious one. HIS Only
suggestion Of remedy was in the provision "i
larger sewers.
At the Offices Of tho Department OF City Works
| tho statement that the sewers were too small
10 carry off the water was prone unced absurd.
since as "A matter Of fact IL found It's way into
the f,pWcr lust the same whether underground.
or along the street surface II was there leal ned
that an examination OF the subject had been
made by an inspector Of the department In May
last and recomme nda tOns made that all the
leaders be connected with the sewers II was
also said that 1t would not be difficult to make
a connection with the new rclle! sewer IN Lewis
ov. SO as 10 carry Oft the water from the
arrn1ry. Few complaints on the subject had
lton received but the nuisance was declared 70
hc ono that ought To- he abated III the interest or
! public comfort and convenience.
The existing arrangement is certainly as bad
as po- -lhle If any action Is taken. however. II
Will apI arenty have 10 be Initiated either Dy IN"
! Health Department or the Police Department,
| on he ground thai nuisance exists. or that =
state Of things dang grrJus 20 the public prevails.
There ia ample gr und for starting proceedings
for either reason.