New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-05
THAW BEGINS ITS WORK.
STREETS ALMOST IMPAssABLE BECAUSE
OF MUD AND sLuSH.
rHoRorGHFAREs FILLED WITH WATER FROM
THE MELTING sNow-CoNTRAcToR
INCREASES HIS FORCE.

INCREASES HIS FORCE
The January thaw did more than all the forces
of the Street Cleaning Department and Of the snow
contractor combined yesterday to clear out Of
the streets Of the city and did the work for moth
ing. In the cutters were streams Of water from
melting snow all day. and as a result OF the thaw
thousands OF OF snow were disappearing. while
the carts OF the contractor were dragging a
few hundred tons OF snow 10 the rivers
The condition Of the streets was even more de-
plorable than the previous day. Except In some
parts Of Broadway and in a few other Of the main
thoroughfares there had been apparently al
tempt cleaning. In the crosstown streets. even
In those downtown where the traffic is large and
continuous the neglected snow was allowed 70 re-
main and thaw and with the aid OF thousands OF
feet quickly converted into sloppy layer or
slushy. Shiny filth that made walking In the
streets not only discomfort but a positive tor
ture Apart from the possible pestiiential Effects
Of this foul state OF things the clothes OF pedes-
TRANS frequently despatched with the splash
ings Of vehicles az they dashed through the dirty
puddes and streams that filled every ndentation or
the surface OF the psvemenrs.
Bad as the roadways the sidewalks are not
much better A tour Of the upper parts OF the city
proves in a great measure that Comrnis-
sioner Mccartney has good reason for his com
plant that property have failed 10 obey the
law which insists that they shall clean the snow
from the sidewalks in front OF their houses This
neglect mas been peculiarly noticeable IN the l s
In the first big SNOWMAN or the "a LII
ouse-owners a rule cleared the spaces In front
Of their dwellings the law requires. OUT TINS
time they have for the most part Deen Amos as
derelict as the Street Cleaning Department Itself
VIVA ever the cause whether II De the dlslhci.ha-
ton for work which the holiday season Induced or
a sort OF decentralization caused by the lncoih-
petence Of Commissioner Mccartney In his snare or
the mutual contract. IL Is imperative Tor me WEI
being and comfort of the city that nouse-o"ne''
should be compelled 10 obey the law
Commissioner Mccartney OF the street Cleanlng
Department had a talk with Mr.. Dunn, the snow
contractor yesterday. and ascertaiped that the
reason why Mr. Dunn could not get more carts
for hauling snow that NJ had nxed the ptlcsS
OF carting at 26 cents d load. and the owners %,
carts wanted a higher price. declaring they couIl
not afford give the services OF man ana no 20
for each cart al such low price. Mr.. Mccartney
said the contractor must pay more IN order 20 srS
a more effective service and In the afternoon Al
Dunn sent out notice that he would pay - cents
a load for snow removal In several or the dlstrlcts
The result was a large increase OF the hummer OF
offers by cart owners supply carts Tor the snow
service and a. Mr. Dunns Office II was SAID tha'
he expected 20 move about OO0 loajs OF sno" IN
the day and night The record for TUESDAY was
., O2 loads. -. ..,.,o--,
The forecast for to-day Is rain. with stationary
temperature and nigh south winds. changing 70
northwest Much colder weather Is expected To-