The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-02
THE ERIE BLUESTONE RING.
Revelations by n Jersey City Taxpayer
The Board of Public Works in the Ring.
To THE EDJTOR OF THE HERAID:-

Revelations by n Jersey City Taxpayer
The Board of Public Works in the Ring.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
While reading the HERALD of the 2sth inst.
noticed an article under the heading "The Erie
Bluestone Ring" The facts therein stated are in
the main correct; but think, If your correspond
ent Will make further Investigation into this
matter. he will find that not only are the stock.
holders OF the Erie Railway the losers, but the
community at large, sone-dealers included.
Can your correspondent inform the public why 1t Is
that In all the contracts for curbing guttering nag
gng and bridge stone used on streets In course OF
Improvement now In Jersey City, the contractor Is
compelled to buy from the Erie Dluestone ring9 1
admit that 1t Is not so written IN the contract but
Is none the less fact. The contractor knowing
the existence OF such state of affairs, has but
place where he can buy the stone IN order to COM
plete the contract and 1t can easily be imagined
that this Erie buestone ring takes every advantage
that existing circumstances admit or in regard
to Inc prices TO be paid by the contractors
price OF the materials, and the property owners pay
the overcharge indirectly to the Erie bluestone
A few weeks ago a contract OF some magnitude was
advertised for proposals In making an estimate
OF what the proposed work should cost con-
tractor calei on stone dealer to ascer-
tam the price he would charge for furnishing the
informed that the terms of the contract called for
Pennsylvania buestone, and that although the
stone which ne tine dealer) nad was precisely the
same kind and of the same quality as the Pennsyl-
vania buestone, yet 1t would not be received on
the streets OF Jersey City, and 1t would therefore be
useless for the contractor TO purchase IL from
him. Not quite satisfied with this information. the
contractor, accompanied by. a friend visited the
Office OF the Board OF Public Works In jersey City to
determine the accuracy OF the Dealers statement.
The Chief Engineer mr. Cuiver) was not on hand,
but his representative answered all questions
promptly. The dialogue began thus
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES / were to buy the blue
stone IRON the owner OF a quarry half a mile dis
ran
would that make any dinerenceS
ASSISTANT SURVEYOR latter pause)-Ah there
Is sharp point
CoNTRACToR-well, sir, is not the stone precisely
the samep
ASSISTANT SURvEyoR-Yes, Mr.. Contractor, the
stone Is the same: out you must understand tnat
we are interested in those quarrles. TWO members
OF this board and several others even own con-
siderable amount OF the stock OF this particular
company.
CONTRACroR-We sir is this right' The stone
being the same ought not ENJOY the privilege oil
buying 1t in the cheapest marketY
the surveyor replied that 1t was hardly square
thing; but If he (tne contractorl were to buy the
stone from other parties mis- stone would not 'lay
about this matter.O
Now Mr.. Editor / think this is one OF the reasons
why our improvements cost the property owners
formed, this rule applies to all contractors IL 1t be
applied TO buestone, can we believe That other
materials 60 freeS | think not. And as the
these games OF municipal robbers I hope that
the efforts now being made by the people OF Jersey
City TO overthrow this monopoly Will receive not
merely the sympathy but the active support OF all
the taxpayers. The HERALD Is entitled to the graft.
tude Of the plundered taxpayers OF Jersey City tor
its exposures OF the doings OF the Ring especially
as the local press, with hardly an exception, have
as "oflcial pap.n Yours respectfully, W.. +.
JERSEY City, Feb. 49, 1872.