New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-13

said, "who accept the Catskill water
system as a beneficent necessity can
have no idea what it cost in time and
effort 10 get il under way. II took two
years of hard fighting to induce the
Legislature 10. give me an enabling act.
The amount of mud which was thrown
at me for having inaugurated this
work was almost enough TO have built
the great Ashokan dam.
"If American grit and American
genius can accomplish the greatest en-
cheering feat in history in bringing
a mighty stream over hill and dale,
through mountains and under rivers,
from the Catskills to the sea; If the
American spirit that its engineers pos
sessed could achieve the impossible be-
cause of the faith that was in them, a
belief in themselves and in their
cause. that same American spirit, true
20 itself and TO its traditions, can and
will not only carry the flag which
speaks for the cause we love to VIC
tory, complete and lasting, but when
that victory has been won will plant II
firmly and forever as the emblem OF
all that is best that our nation repre-
sents of enterprise and of success, OF
progress and of civilization, of right
eousness and of liberty, of justice and
of truth"
Night Ceremonies Postponed
William Williams, Commissioner of
Water Supply, Gas and Electricity, pre-
sonted the fountain to the Mayor. 1t
rises to height OF ll5 feet and is sup
piled entirely with Catskill water, al
though the reservoir is supplied with
Croton water. The difference in the
pressure Of Croton water and Catskill
water is to be seen in the fact that the
Catskill water rises 1l5 feet above the
reservoir. whose level is the greatest
height 70 which Croton pressure can
raise water.
Il am glad to accept this fountain,
which will perpe;ually serve" said
Mayor Mitchell, "as reminder of this
remarkable public work, which was
conceived and executed with an honesty
and capacity seldom equalled IN any
public service"
Ceremonies which were planned for
the public parks last night in connec-
ton with the Catskill celebration were
postponed on account Of the Pain until
tonight. There was a banquet last
night at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
The celebration will continue to-day
and tomorrow.
Toast to Wilson in Water
Eight hundred guests at the official
dinner in celebration of the completion
of the Catskill Aqueduct at the Wal
dorf- Astoria last night responded to
Judge Ebert II. Gary's proposal TO
drink to the health of the President
of the United States, with the best
and purest Of all beverages on this oc-
casion, coming from the Catskill Noun
tains"
Those responsible for the construc-
ton of the great reservoir were hailed
at the banquet as administrative heroes,
and medals were presented 20 them.
Standing under a model OF cross Sec
ton Of the Ashokan system, Mayor
Mitchell, who himself received medal.
conferred the symbols OF recognition
on Charles Straus, chairman Of the
Board Of Water supply Commissioner
Charles y. Chadwick. Commissioner
John 7. Calvin, j. Waldo Smith, chief
engineer Of the Board OF Water Sup
ply; Charles A. Shaw, and on the
family of the late J. Edward Simmons.
who was a member of the Board Of
Water Supply. Former Mayor McClel-
Ian was 70 have been one OF the recipi-
ents Of the honor. but was unable 20 be
present. George McAneny, POSTMASTER.
announced that Glass medals would
90 70 the members of the Board Of Al
dermen and the Board of Estimate. and
70 Henry T.. Townc, Controller Prem
dergast and Robert ". de Forest.