New-York tribune., 1909-07-20
STILL USE TITUS WATER
COLER'S PROTEST TAIN.
Health Boards Order Not an 44rbi-
trary One Says Bensel.

The Park Slope. Brooklyn. Will not lose just yet
It's supply OF five million gallons of daily
from the driven wells of Silas W. Titus Fourth
avenue and Sth street. Borough President Coler
made public a letter yesterday from DR.. Darling
ton condemnng the water, and Sanitary Superin-
tendent Walter Bensel admitted the Board OF
Health had issued an order against it. But the
order is not to be construed arbitrary one"
added DR. Bensel cheeriy. Meantime the Titus
pumps are working and Coler is Illuminating.
The letter from DR. Darlington given out by Mr..
Coer said:
IN further reply 10 your communication relative
30 the quality Of water being pumued the city
mains from the driven wells In the vicinity OF
ms water is not fit for p1bc use as a8aIvsis
shows an excess Of nitrites total solids and hari-
day prohibiting its use.
Borough President Coler stated that William Co
zior. the Deputy Water Commissioner, had refused
him analysis Of the water from the Titus station
while at the same time Mayor Mcclellan and his
friends alleged the water was pure They neg
lected. though go the May or's Conmis-
sioner Of Health for the information" ne asserted
i had written 20 Commissioner Darlington" con
tinued Mr.. Coler. 'in order 10 verify statements
made 10 about the dangerous quality of the
water I have made repeated protests against the
payments under this sn-Caled contract. even the
specifications Of which there has been real
tempt to fulfil Notwithstanding my protests and
those Of the Manufacturers Association, these pay
rrcnts have been made. and now the Health De
uartrnent's own report shows how utterly unit for
use is this water a contrast fo- which the Mayors
Water Department tried saddle the city"
on the other hand Nr Titus proprietor OF the
wells protested to all and sundry yesterday tha- the
water was fine Ii subjected to daily tests by
the Mount Prospect chemists he said. and
found TO be CT more than average purity. though
q little hard
This Is simply the climax OF CoIer's antagonism
to me-" remarked Mr. Titus. IT'S up TO somebody
now 20 decide the matter, and would Ike TO have
il thrashed out TO a finish" The water wizard
cited Colers alleged hold-up OF the pipe laying
the Forest Park pumping station as another in
stance Of the Borough Presidents opposition.
As for Deputy Commissioner Cozier. that guardian
Of Brookyn's water supply said he had received no
order 10 close the Fourth plant. although he
declared he was the proper official TO receive Il.
The water is entirely wholesome" he said. we
take almost daily analyses and there IS nothing IN
the water deeterious 10 the public health. We are
operation and Will continue II the supply
from the 9Th street station shut of there
would be dangerous shortage in water In that
part OF the borough"
And lastly, this is how DR.. Bensel sanitary
superintendent. views the Titus water controversy
which set public officials at loggerheads:
The order issued was from the Board Of Health.
and IS not TO be construed arbitrary one.
The water from the Titus wells often amounting
a supply Of 5,0ooeD gallons daily, is not pure
as it should be This. however, does not mean
that there is any immediate danger in its domestic
consumption.
To issue an order for $4,000 gallons OF water
to be turned Of Immediately without provision
for a supply from other mains would cause great
inconvenience. We want TO work in conjunction
with NJ. Titus TO bring the water Up to better
standard
Asked how this might be accomplished, Dr. Ben
sci said he couldn't say Yet whether not
the purifying would be done by system Of filters
He said q thorough examination would have 20 be
made
But there will be no shutting of OF the water
IN the time unless IL gets much worse. and
should Il do the Water Board would have
ample notice." continued Dr. Bcnsel-
IN issuing the order the board intended only 20
point the condition OF these wells There IS no
reason. though. for any apprehension as 10 the
water supply in other districts" he concluded