New-York tribune., 1902-07-21
SAYS WORK GOING SLOWLY
MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION WRITES TO
THE MAYOR ABOUT THE JEROME
PARK RESERVOIR.

The Merchants Association. through g. L. DuVai'
the chairman of the Committee on Revision OF III!
Records and Accounts and Water supply sent
letter last week to Mayor Low concerning the
changes of plans for the New Croton Dam and the
Jerome Park Reservoir
Mr.. Duval, referring TO the change on the Ne"
Croton Dam from composite to masonry con-
struction, says the association is of the opinion
that the Aqueduct Commission should arrive at
distinct stipulation with the contractors as TO the
| additional cost of the change. Mr. Duval adds that
while the change has been favored on the score Oh
security, the important element is in the delay
that the changed plan involves in work OF imml-
nent necessity"
As 10 the Jerome Park Reservoir the letter says:
We assert that the construction of heavy re-
tanning wall in place of light core wall ana en-
ed is unnecessary and extravagant. We assert
that the change from the ORIGINAL plan IN orGer 10 %
rock formation. where II is necessary IN places 10
construct it, was wasteful and eNtravagant, We
assert. Information and belief. that in the north.
formation OF the DAM where the embankment
plan has been continued and filling in resorted TO-
each six inches Of the iii shall be rolled not
been complied with and the stability of the work
endangered.
The letter. continuing. finds fault with the gate
house that will be at the reservoir. and says
its plan has been altered 10 bring the cost up to
$5O.OoN double the cost under the original pian
without any apparent reason therefor. Mr.. Duval
declares that the changes from the original plans
recommended and approved by the Aqueduct Com
mission were based solely on the responsibility OF
the present chief engineer and against the con-
sensus of other opinion expressed.
The letter finds fault with the slow progress made
on the reservoir and the extensions of time for
the completion of the work given to the contractors
by the Aqueduct Commission. On the subject Of de-
Law the letter SAYS: THE contract provides In a
general way for satisfactory expedition in the
progress of the work. whereas. recent visit
to the scene. in weather favorable to results. a
holiday aspect was presented over its greater eX-
tent and work in progress was being conducted IN
a perfunctory way
In closing the letter says the most important bust
ness at present engaging the attention of the au-
thorites is the provision for sufficient water
supply and that the association has learned from
eminent authority that at the present time two
successive dry seasons would constitute the gravest
menace to the community in this regard, and that
from daily supply of 100000 gallons. I'VE might
find ourselves with scarcely 100000 gallons availa
BILE"
The Mayor has informed Mr.. Duval that he has
referred his communication to the president Of the
Aqueduct Commission for reply and, after hearing
from him, will determine what further step should
be taken. The Mayors letter continues:
You may. or may not. be that am In re-
ceipt of weekly report from the Aqueduct Com
in the Croton Dam. These reports are usually ac-
COmpanied by photographs. II II would be of in
terest TO you, shall take great pleasure In sub
miting these weekly reports TO your committee for
their examination.
l appreciate highly the interest OF the Merchants
Association in all such matters. and welcome,
with pleasure the many evidences OF cooperation
which you have given. II is not well TO assume,
however that the Aqueduct Commission is at
fault in connection with the changes Of plan at
the Croton Dam until the commission has had the
opportunity to state its side of the case.