The high bridge over the Harlem River, reappears in this report, as a difficult, costly, and not necessary work and inasmuch as the plan agreed upon by the former Commissioners, was not to continue the grade line of the aqueduct, but to descend on the Westchester side some 14 feet with the water in iron pipes, and after passing it over the river in a horizontal line, to raise it on the New York side within 2i feet of the elevation from which it was taken on the north shore, this report recurs to the low bridge, as safer, much

cheaper, and with its centre arch of 50 feet height from the water, offering no obstacle to

any probable navigation of the Harlem. The saving in time, by this plan, would be nearly two years the saving in money, nearly $200,000. This recommendation, however, found ;

no favor, and as a positive law of the Legislature enjoined the construction of the high bridge, if any, the work on that plan was steadily prosecuted.

During the month of April, some of the laborers on the upper part of the line struck for wages, and not content with abandoning work themselves, associated in large numbers,

and marching along the line, compelled those who were willing to work on at present rates, to break off. The efforts of the civil authorities to restrain the violence of these lawless men, proved unavailing ; and the Commissioners having communicated to the Mayor their apprehension of damage to the work, a military detachment was ordered on the line, at whose appearance order was speedily restored and work resumed. In the course of this year a difference of opinion arose between the Commissioners and the Common Council, in relation to their respective duties in laying the distributing pipes.