New-York tribune., 1905-08-16
ST7RURBAN SANITATION.
Urgent Need of Se5ceroge in Vest
chester County Villages.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir. More and more the means are studied
for promoting the welfare of organized con1muni-
+ias as are our cities. large and small. and our
towns and villages an abundant supply OF potable
water and an efficient system for the olsposaI
NJ sewage will be found TO be OF paramount
consideration This seems 10 be a rather trite
statement but, nevertheless, a large part OF the
neonle and Of their officials slow TO realize
it. as IS evidenced in so many instances or uh-
sanitary conditions frequently exposed IN speclhc
localities by The Tribune and other papers The
Tribrne's recent defence of The Bronx IS a case
In noin+ cite another one of many under my
own observation, that of the village Of Mount
Ksco beautiful for situation-nestIlng in the mis-
"a salubrous air and every prospect pleasing but'
alas. owing to artificial and preventable causes,
will lose its charm and attractiveness, and It's
healthfulness as well. if the present unsanitary
conditions are not soon and properly dealt with
There is no denying the fact that the local au-
thorities and the indifference of the people are
responsibIe for a present, mainly superficial. but
very undesirable, condition Of portions of the VIII
Iage a condition of undoubted potentiality for the
promotion Of disease under certain circumstances
not AT all improbable in this excessively warm
season Nevertheless. for the larger issue. that of
providing for the disposal Of the sewage in this
shut-n valley and the consequent preservation
from pollution Of large area Of saturations form
ing a considerable part OF the local supply Of
water New-York City is responsible. Indeed, if
the CITY is not legally committed. it has assumed
the initiative in the preparations Of tentative
plans for caring for this sewage, and the relief
must be accorded in some fashion before long in
Justice 10 all concerned.
In the mean time. IL Is with reference 20
plan relief that / specially venture 10 interpose
q suggestion for the consideration OF those having
authority in the matter. namely. in lieu of local
disposal works cheaply constructed and very likely
not maintained in the future most efficiently, I
suggest the construction OF a substantial sewer
from Mount Kisco and running south through
Chappauua. PIeasantville, Hawthorne. Kensico.
etc 10 and connecting with the large sewer be
constructed for the relief of White Plains I have
had opportunity for very superficial examina-
ton Of engineering details for this enterprise but
/ believe that II Will Justify careful consideration.
All these communities for which such a
would furnish relief rapidly growing. and their
needs later must be cared for. Through
out this whole extended valley, too. lie extensive
areas of underground water and numerous
streams. forming a part of New-YOrk's water sup
plv which cannot too soon be safeguarded. that
il seems TO in the matter of expenditure and
future fixed charges, the permanence and effective
ness of q substantial sewer would commend itself
for the purpose the less substantial and null
tiplied local schemes. superficial and tentative
largely and in the end more expensive, usually
first undertaken.
Legislation will doubtless be needed and a plan
as TO cooperation Of all the communities
cerned carefully worked out. for which reason
prompt action is desirable, and any way, the local
authorities OF their will or New-Nork. as she
IS in justice bound 10 do. must undertake TO do
a desirable place for summering in those country
places along the Harlem is 70 be maintained
JNO. Y. CULYER, c. E
i. 1875