New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-29
WATER SUPPLY REPORT.
AGAINST EXTRA SESSION.
Aldermen Say Watersheds Vest of
Hudson Are ample.

Alderman Doull, chairman Of the Committee Cd
Water Supply. to which committee Mayor Nc
Clellan's letter special session OF the legsla
ture was referred, submitted report at the meet
ing Of the aldermen yesterday. He found that the
people. as was ascertained by a public hearing.
were opposed to any special session of the Iegis-
iature as suggested by Governor OdelI. The report
went into the question of water supply exhaus-
lively, finding that the city now has under the
charter ample power to go into any county except
sLItolk and Duchess to get such water it wants.
The committee recommended that the board an
s~ er the Mayors letter by suggesting that he ask
the Commissioner of Water Supply to proceed at
once under the existing charter for powers to con-
denim such additional watersheds the city needs.
The report in part follows:
should the Governor call extra session Of the
I fFiS'ature for framing measure that will accom-
pSn me OBJECT or securing additional water supply
20 me Clty or New-fork, 1t would do either one
It might, through the influence of the Governor;
eSttsh state PuTyeyor OF Water and place an
It might amend the Duchess County act to per-
mt TINS city 10 take such water from that county
as was not required by the citizens of that county
the first principles of home rule for the city and
mor5G pace the water supply of this city at the
proposition prevailed it would that this city.
ittd an e%Peholtnre Of millions would be per
county. and in years of small rainfall and in years
doubtless would, claim that the county needed ali
OF ITS water supply for its own uses and this city
would pc deprived of water from that source at
ONES Wta when it wss most urgently needed;
city should be supped from source and Trough
system separate from that of the Crotor. 1t is
purity and softnes5 than the Groom from the
mountain regions west Of the Hudson in abundant
quantities from elevations that will afford a pres
sure sufficient to carry the water by gravity to
scraps" It would not be desirable to supply water
nnder suSh pressure to al parts Of the city but
parts of Brooklyn. where high pressure is most
needed and where fire risks are greatest and to
pumping stations leaving the Croton to be sup
not necessary A Encouragement of pipes and con-
nections for such distribution would he necessary
that now imposed by the necessity Of pumping and
F Ry aho high rates Of insurance due to greater IRE
The report Of the Burr Commission informs us
greater quantity. from superior elevations ana
OF better quality; than from any other sources.
Inc waters OF the Esopus and Rondout creeks are
exceptionally desirable for public supply. they are
the best waters that are available in any direction
The Ma Mayer says: IT is not improbable; that be-
the Hudson River and draw water from the
5or Inf has on ITS WnesT b han
40 that now and that II ie uradyisable 10 resort
west of the Hudson are exhausted How long it
viii be before that would occur may be judged
gineers reports that We may obtain from those
SHEDS supply OF nearly If not quite thousand
The superior quality and purity of the water from
and there is little or no manufacturing should
apart from any other consideration. determine the
matter as against the watersheds east OF the
Hudson. where population is rapidly increasing
ana where there are numerous factories and other
sources Of pollution. which do not exist on the
mountain slopes west Of the Hudson.
The city Of New-York has authority under sec
tons Az. 4S6. 4S. 4SS and $50 OF the charter TO con-
6emn for It's water smpplg land in any part OF the
state, except IN Suffolk and Duchess counties And
1t can proceed to do whatever may be necessary
without awaiting further legislation
The board passed an amendment to the Buildiog
Code making freproof construction necessary IN
all theatres. hospitals. asylums and similar build
ings above thrty-fve feet in height. and in all
other buildings above seventy-hve feet. instead OF
100. at present.