New-York tribune., 1901-04-05
MAY MANDAMUS DALTON.
WATER COMMISSIONER REFUSES TO
GIVE TUNNEL CONTRACTOR PERMIT
FOR \ MAIN CONNECTION

The Rapid Transit Commission and William Dali
ton Commissioner of Water Supply. have locked
horns and it is understood that II Mr.. Dalton
does recede from his position once the
Rapid Transit Commission will mandamus him.
The dispute is the laying OF 4S-inch water
main between Fiftyeighth and Sixtieth SITS, where
Naughton & Co. tunnel contractors, are excavat-
ing. The sub-contractors have just completed a
30-nch main beside the excavation, and
few days ago asked Commissioner Dalton to shut
off the water in the old 3O-inch main so that the
new connection could be made Two hours time
would suffice to make the connection. The Rapid
Transit Commission supposed that Commissioner
Dalton would promptly grant the permission for
the new connection, but in replying to Mr. Orr. MI
Dalton says that the engineer of the Water De-
partment, Mr.. Brdsall. considers that Mr. McDon-
aid. the general contractor. should build 4S-inch
main instead of a 30-nCh one. inaSmuch as the
city will eventually build a 4S-inch main down
Eighth-ave., and that the citys work would be ia
cilitated when that work is done, by having the
4S-inch main laid in the tunnel now. AT hrst MI
Mcdonald thought ne would grant the request OF
Mr.. Dalton, but advice of counsel he refused, on
the ground that the precedent would be dangerous
James II HasIn. i'm behalf of Mr.. Dalton, said
that permission would not be given for connecting
the main. President Orr wrote him. making
it clear that the contractor was not called on 10
build the 4s-nch main as suggested by Mr.. Dalton,
to this letter received reply. At the meet
ing of the commission yesterday afternoon the fol-
lowing resolution adopted
Resolved. After considering the communiGa ion
of the president of the board under date OF Alarch
% last to the Commissioner of Water Supply, to
which no reply has been received, and after near
ing the statement of the chief engineer ana IN
view of the peremptory necessity 10 RAPID transl.
work, we'll public convenience, or shange
without any delay of the position of the S0-ncn
water main the Grand Circle, that the board ooeS
hereby authorize and direct the chief engineer ana
counsel take forthwith all necessary steps 10
procure such change of the position OF such water
main to he made.
Fielding l.. Marshall, William Peck ana
James $. Wood. representing residents or The
Bronx yesterday sent a petition TO the RAPID
Transit Commission, requesting a change OF
plan for the building of the tunnel in The Bronx
The committee asks that the Harlem River be
brdged instead tunneled, and that the road con-
tinue on an elevated structure to One-hundred-
and forty -nnth-st. thereby saving NStto IN con-
struction Then The BronXites want this money
applied building extension of the rapid transit
system up Jerome-aVe. to FOrdham Road, about
three miles The board will give public near
ing on the suggestion Thursday at O'CLOCK;
The Railroad Committee of the City Council will
give on Monday at the city Hall what Will prob
ably be the final hearing the resolution changing
the route OF the tunnel at Fort George.