New-York tribune., 1907-06-20
THE C4TsKILL WATER SYSTEM.


Early this afternoon the Mayor of New York
will turn the first spadeful of earth in the
actual work of constructing the Catskil water
supply system for this city The incident will be
interesting from various points of view. The ro-
mantle and historic associations of the region
In which the work is TO be done invest it with
title TO more than passing notice. The person
ality of the assembled company will give the
scene dignity and authority The physical mag
nitude and the complex engineering problems
OF the undertaking are uneQualled and epoch
marking in the history of such works These
circumstances will receive their due attention
But there are at least two others of still greater
practical pertinence, to which for the day first
place should be given
One is the economy expedition and general
efficiency with which the work has been brought
TO the present stage. 1t is scarcely a fortnight
more than two years since legislative authority
for the enterprise was given. 1t is exactly two
years to-day since the plan of engineering or
ganizauon was adopted. 1t is about year and
month since Fictitious opposition, cmbarrass-
ments and delays were finally overcome and lhe
commissioners were enabled TO proceed actively
with their gigantic task. Considering the mag
nitude of the undertaking, the novelty and com
pleXity of the problems involved and the un-
necessary obstacles which have been presented
Of Water Supply has done uncommonly we'll
better, We should say than the most sauguine
| expectatons-and has vindicated the wis
! dom of the civic bodies which suggested and of
the Mayor who appointed its members
The other circumstance is that with the actual
beginning and prospective completion of this
work the American metropolis is brought within
measurable distance of securing, after many
years of constant danger and of frequent dis
tress, a water supply adequate TO its needs
Poet, orator, artist and historian celebrated the
original introduction of Croton water into this
city, as indeed the event deserved There was
occasion then for exulting in an achievement
which down to that time had not been equallcd
since the days Of ancient Rome But New York
long ago Outgrew the Crot0n and has for many
| years been compelled to regard with envy other
| cities of less size but OF superior advantages in
! administrative enterprise or in legislative wis
| dom. 1t has had 10 regard Glasgow. Liver
! pool and Munich with ar envy the poicnaucv Of
| which was enhanced by the reflection tnat
nature had done almost as much for New York
as for them, and that the fault lay In this city's
men, not in her stars, that she was forced 10 en-
dure scantness while they revelled in plenty
To-day's proceedings will serve notice upon tie
world that in supplying this most Indispensable
necessary Of life, New York City is at last rising
to the height of the opportunity which bencGcent
nature has placed before her
The Mayor OF New York is TO he cOugra tulatcI
today upon the results OF his work in Securing
the passage Of the law making possible this ex-
| tension of the city's water system. Tie Board
of Water Supply is 10 be congratulated upon
the results, thus far, of its well directed efforts
| The city OF New York is to be congratulated
upon the assured prospect of getting in the near
future supply of potable water which in
quantity ana quality w.ll compare favoraby
with that of any other city in the world.