New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-09-26
MOUNT VERNON SUFFERS
FOR LACK Of WATER
Many Factories viii Close To-
day. Having No Means OF
Filling Their Boilers.
PEOPLE IN DREAD OF FIRE
Ardsley. Hastings and Dooos
Ferry Affected-Buying Water
and Installing Pumps,
Mayor Fiske Says.
PEOPLE IN DREAD OF FIRE

Mount Vernon was in a state Of almost
bone-Iil6e drvness last night when the
shades of night brought a slight sur
cease from the continued drouth- NOT
that with the night came rain. but the
natural GOODNESS of the darkness. aided,
perhaps. by whatever fall of dew there
was served to make conditions less IN
hesrable. The whole city protruded its
parched tongue to the skies for relief
and found none.
No driver spot in all Westchester Coun-
~ was 70 be found yesterday than Mount
Vernon. The water was turned on for
only brief time during the day. and
then the pressure was SO weak that IN
MANY of the tenement and apartment
houses there was very little to be mad
above the second floors
When the signal went forth that the
water was to be turned on for an hour
and that everybody must lay in re-
serve supply during that time there en-
sued such a rush for tin pals. buckets
vashtubs and other vessels as the city
never witnessed before.
AS night arrived the situation grew
more serious than had been expected
It was thought that the water COM
panv would give some kind of supply
but from 10 O'Clock in the morning until
30 at night not a drop was to he had.
except bottled water. and that was hard
to purchase
The people living in the more crowded
~, ,i+
ried lest a fire should break out, as there
was no water in the MIGRANTS for the
engines. Chemical engines were kept in
readiness. manned by picked crews. day
and night.
Many large factories will be forced TO
close down to-day, owing to lack of
water for the boilers. and the horses in
the livery stables are suffering from
thirst.
The city Is relying mainly on the as
sistance New York City is going TO give
at Ardsley a big four million gallon
pump is being assembled but this will
take several days and nights of work.
Great excitement and indignation was
caused in the fashionable section of
=
woman was seen watering her lawn
with hose line.
vher the crowds returning from
church services saw the ground eagerly
drinking ND the scarce liquid they be
came angry and called upon her TO. de
sist It was finally found necessary to
send for policeman. the woman saying
Of
famine.
In Ardsley. Hastings and Dobbs Ferry
the water shortage was also very acute.
and matters are growing more serious
every hour. Wagons loaded with barrels
OF water passed through the streets Of
Hastings and Dobbs Ferry all day long.
the people eagerly awaiting their ap-
pearance.
It is feared that the sanitary condi-
ticns of the different cities and towns in
Westchester County will be greatly af
feoted unless there Is rain soon. Mayor
Fiske. Of Mount Vernon spent the en-
tire day trying TO get water for the city.
In speaking Of the shortage last night.
he said
The water question has become
serious matter 70 solve. have arranged
for the purchase Of nine million gallons
from the Larchmont Water Company,
but II will take couple Of days to set
up A pump. New Rochelle has also
agreed 10 give US supply in case OF
fire. but NOT for other purposes.
ON Monday ! am going TO have con
ference with the Commissioner Of Water
Supply OF New York City, and viii try
10 purchase four million or five million
gallons | have done everything in my
rover to relieve Mount Vernon"