The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-02

level II is thirty-eight feet deep. There are then
1000. 600, 600 gallons Of water in store there.
How long would that amount last the
cityl Fifty years ago, when Now York
had 100000 inhabitants. It used 100000
900 gallons O day. and the l. ZOO, 900, 900 would
have suficod for twenty-five days. But New
York has grown steadily and rapidly and Its con-
sumption OF water has Increased In much greater
proportion. until the city uses more for each
inhabitant than any other big city in the world.
In 1870 the population was $40, 800. and used
n. 600, 900 gallons of water a day. In 1880 tho
population was / 1905 900, and used 02, 600, 900
gallons of water daily. In 1890 it had in
creased to 1.71O.715. and used las. 600. 900
gallons of water a day. To-day the consumption
is moro than 225. 100000 gallons q day and al.
most $50. 900, 900 gallons.
In case of any accident which would cut off the
city's supply the lake in Central Park would
disappear In about four days, II the city contin-
ued to use its regular amount Of water. and with
the greatest economy could not last more than
a few days. Long before the last OF 1t would be
gone there would be a water famine in many
parts of the town, for with every foot or two
that Its level would be lowered the supply
would DO cut off from the upper stories
OF houses to which 1t Just reaches
now. 1t Is to supplement this imme-
diate source OF supply with another reservoir
that hundreds Of workingmon and scores Of
powerful engines are at work tearing away
mountains OF rock and earth and changing the
whole face Of nature over q large tract on the
heights beyond Fordham. between Bedford Park
and Kingsbridge. where the famous old jerome
Park race course once attracted its thousands.
Big as were the grounds that held the old race
track. the clubhouse, the grand stand. the bet
ting ring, and the many stables, they now form
covered with drinking water thirty feet deep.
In the ballroom OF tho old Jockey Club house
there are moving now the steel limbs of great
engines and pumps which, forced by the power
Of stoam. arc giving activity to devices for tear
this domain. In the long rows Of buildings,
whero many q race horse has been cared, for.
forge fires blaze, mechanics work. or hun.
dreds OF men live, and in the Oak Hill Club
house engineers pore over maps and drawings.
In tho clubhouse which James Gordon Bennett
built for the Polo Club tho contractor Inns his
divided Tor office purposes by nnpaintcd deal
partitions and it's parlor Is Uttered Withdrawing.
and other remnants Of the original forest. and
fine fruit trees have fallen before tho axes OF tho
workingmen and have been dragged into the
mouth OF a sawmin that grunts and groans and
Whore fashion entered the old racing grounds
at the main entrance on Jerome avenue tho old
like q lone survivor Of tho general ruin. Out or
the scene OF desolation will grow finally a scene
of beauty and peace. Once this change has been
wrought It will be impossible for anybody 10
realize what an enormous undertaking y was to
transform tine scene. The reservoir will cover
2O7 acres, and from this area there must be re-
Figures convey but little idea OF what a piece OF
work this is. The work is enough advanced for
ono to see some of It's difficulties and the sight
"What may DO regarded as accurate esti.
mates OF, the quantity OF material to be moved
iT0D q yessryolT site. as well rs that W be