Year: 1870

The Department. OF Public Works.


The most important feature OF the new
Charter is that which places under one head
the two departments Of Streets and Croton
Aqueduct. The abnormal condition Of affairs
which for many years has made 80 much con-
fusion in all attempts at civic improvements,
while adding immensely to the costs, ought
now to cease, since the opportunity is afforded
to carry on our public works upon broad
and comprehensive scale and in accord
ance with well defined and systematic plan.
Under the old system street was not unfre-
quently graded and paved only to be imme-
diately torn up and excavated for sewer.
After this was done and the street restored to
its former condition 1t was again torn up to lay
the water pipes, and in a short time the same
process was repeated in laying the gas mains,
after which the condition Of the pavement was
simply abominable. Certainly any change
from such want Of system is welcome. The
principal cause of all this irregularity was due
to the manner in which the ordinances were
passed under the authority Of which the
improvements were made. Very frequently two
or more ordinances directed the same work to
be done; in other cases work begun under one
ordinance would be extended under another,
and conflicting ordinances were constantly
passed, until 1t was almost impossible to say
under what ordinance the work was being done.
This led to great confusion, expense and often
times to litigation, and in every way the city
was loser. Hereafter any Improvement which
is asked for should be referred to the Commits.
sion of Public Works for such information
and recommendation as the case may require.
In this way great deal Of unnecessary and
conflicting legislation will be avoided.


The Commissioners will, of course, have the
best engineering advice and assistance, and we
look with confidence for the establishment of
a thorough system of street improvements and
effective drainage. A question Of primary i'm
portance is that Of street pavements. What Is
the most suitable material, and which is the
best manner of laying it down? Our citizens
have been heavily taxed for most wretched pave
ments, and within the past few years we have
been experimental upon by every variety OF
patent pavement--some of them fit only for
kindling wood-until the assessments for these
denominations bid fair to eat up the property
ITSELF Hereafter, it is to be hoped, these
experiments If made at all, shall be at the ex-
pense of the patentees, and that under no cir
cumstances shall any more pavements be laid
without suitable and substantial roadbed.
The conditions Of good pavement are a
durable material, a firm roadbed, impervious to
water, light grade, easy traction and good
footing for horses. In this climate it is utterly
impossible for pavement to remain intact two
years if the water is suffered to percolate the
bed on which it rests. In great commercial
city like New York, where the least obstruc-
ton to travel is a serious pecuniary loss, g
good pavement is the first necessity. If pro-
perly put down it ought to last twenty years
without requiring repairs. whereas most Of ou'
pavements have to be repaired the year after
they are laid We trust that under the new
regime this subject will meet with the attention
it's Importance demands.