New-York tribune., 1901-03-10
LONG, HARD RAIN NEEDED.
THAT ALONE CAN AVERT 4 SCARCITY
OF WATER, SAYS CHIEF EN-
GINEER BIRDSALL.

William Dalton. the Commissioner of Water Sup
ply was said to be much worried yesterday over
the prospect of a water famine in this city. He
had been up in the Croton Watershed in company
with Chief Engineer Birdsall, looking at the reser
voirs and lakes of the system and Mr.. Birdsall
said yesterday that the commissioner had returned
almost a sick man because ne had found so little
water in sight. Two three days of steady rain
were needed Mr. Birdsall said, TO avert a scarcity
of water. The prolonged drouth In the Croton re-
gion had reduced the supply of stored water to a
lower point than had been known and it was
the rule for copiOus rains TO come in March.
The only change in the situation yesterday Mr
Brdsall said, the discovery that there had
been rise Of four inches in the Williamsbridge
Reservoir. But what does that amount to? he
added, The water in the storage reservoir at Ken
sco is falling steadily, and the rise of a few
inches in the Williamsbridge reservoir only shows
that less water wasted in the Borough of The
Bronx day"
The chief engineer said he had all the inspectors
of the Water Department available for the service
at work trying TO decrease the waste of water. If
people would stop wasting the water. Mr.. Brdsall
said. the danger of water famine might be avert
ed until rain comes to relieve the situation
Mr. Birdsall asked yesterday about the bill
which Controller COer is going to have introduced
in the legislature TO take from the Municipal As
sembly the power to hold up appropriations for the
Department of Water Supply, and he said:
Why the Board Of Estimate and APPortionment m
priation for the Jerome Park pumping plant II
that appropriation had been made promptly there
The Department of Water Supply ought to have
the same powers as the AqueduCt commission.
which II created. and contracts for the money
which the Board of Estimate must approximate.
sees fit to increase the supply. and then call on
the Board of Estimate for the money there would
be no delays.
Controller Coler said yesterday:
Is n ciirous state of affairs that sinking
fund can approve bond issue fer an armory in
this city. nut an emergency bond issue for water
must be dragged through the Municipal Assembly
and generally held up. My object is to make all
ncipal Assembly and let the heads of departments
represented in the Board of Estimate talk the mat
ters over and decide without any interference from
the body upstairs.
Engineer De Varona, in charge of the Department
of Water Supply in Brooklyn. said yesterday that
unless heavy rains fell last night and to-day the
Bushwick-ave. main would probably have TO be
closed tomorrow account Of the great waste
from the of water for washing purposes by
thousands of families in the borough. \ large dis
trct of the residential part of the Eastern District
would thereby be affected. particularly the big
breweries and manufacturing plants there;
In the twenty-tour hours ending at O'Clock yes
lost from the short supply held in storage 9i in the
any material increase in the pcnds or reservoirs
more complaints yesterday from Brooklynites who
cannot get water above the first and second floors.
basement High regions like the Twenty fourth
Ward. are particularly affected.
Although no cases OF sickness resulting from the
lack of water have been reported DR.. Black the
sanitary superintendent, will talk with Deputy Com
missioner Moffett the subject tomorrow. In
tions In many neighborhoods there IS not suf
hcient water 10 put out fires.
Suits against the city for damages have been
THREATENED 10y at least forty Brookly mites who say
that tenants have given up apartments leased 10y
them becaIse they could not get water in their
rooms
Sheriff Walton wrote to Commissioner Kcrwin
yesterday TO the effect that the increasing made
quacy OF the water supply In Brooklyn suggested
the advisabilty Of taking measures TO secure SUI
ncient permanent supply for the Kings County
jail In Raymond-st. THAT could be provided by a
system Of wells and pumps. the wells 10 be- dug In
the Jail yard. The supply FOR the present
preparation should be made to meet emergency.
Commissioner Kerwin said regarding Sheriff Wal
toms letter that the jail In danger. and that
ne had been instructed that in the event OF a pos
sible water famine. the prisons and hospitals would
be among the last buildings TO be deprived II
by the authorities
score of Brookyn's leading men will appear
before the Municipal Assembly Tuesday and
make vigorous appeal for immediate appru-
priation Of money for the Brooklyn Water Depart
ment IN order that the water supply he in
creased. AT a meeting os the water committees of
the Manufacturers Association. the Brooklyn
League and the Citizens Union and leading nsur-
ance and real estate men. held last night IN the
rooms Of the Manufacturers Association. in Mon
tague- St, brooklyn resolution adopted which
VIII be presented 20 both branches OF the Municipal
Assembly. j Hampden Doughertv presided at the
meeting last night and the present condition Of
the water supply was thoroughly discussed