The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-04-11
BARTLH71rS Big MAP.
1t Showed the PaSsaic Water
Shed and the SWind1e-
Gates Claims.
HE ROSE TO EXPLAIN MATTERS.
But Mr.. Van Reipen's Pertinent
Question Was Not Fully Ans
wered.

/
Question Was Not Fully Ans
! wered.
A number of Jersey City's representa-
tive citizens met last evening in the rooms
of the Board of Trade to hear John r.
Bartlett explain the scheme by which the
Montclair Water Company proposed to
furnish the city with pure, wholesome
water from the Passaic water shed.
Among those who listened to Mr.. Bart
lett's explanation were James Flemming,
John d. Carscallen, Jacob Ringle, J. F..
Mccoy, Smith Haines, John Edelstein,
Charles Furst, ex-Mayor Garrett D. Van
Reipen, DR.. Leonard j. Gordon, Patrick
Sheeran, David w. Lawrence, H. w
Carr, w. T. Evans, Col John McAnerney,
Henry Lembeck, James G.. Haskings,
Gilbert Collins, F. P. Budden, Henry
Booraem, G. Blau, George w. Clerihew,
Frank Stevens, Francis S. Emmons, Mr..
Van Anglen, Mr.. Reed, Mr.. Bowker, Gar
wood Ferris, and Cashier Laws, of the
| Third National Bank.
DR.. Gordon called the meeting to order
and stated that the gentlemen had been
called together by committee consisting
of himself, Messrs. Carscallen, Flemming
Laws, Lembeck and William H. Clark
first, for the purpose of neariug directly
from Mr. Bartlett's lips what he proposed
| to do in regard to supplying Jersey City
with water; second, to hear what other
| proposition anyone might have to make;
| third to consider what the city could do
| tn MIA ho a T. hof
plan which is for the best interests of the
city.
THE OFFER TO MR.. BARTLETT.
Dr. Gordon stated that there had been
two other conferences similar to the
present one at which the proposition had
been made to Mr.. Bartlett that he should
| take the present water plant of the city,
supply our water for school and fire pur-
| poses free, assume the interest on our
| water debt, and receive in return the
| present income of the Water Department.
Mr.. John d. Carscallen at this point
wanted to show forth the light in which
he wished to stand in this matter before
the people. He said that he was among
those who met Mr.. Bartlett at former
/ conference. There was a question in his
mind, he said, whether he could afford to
meet Mr. Bartlett, as he was opposed to
buying water by the gallon. But he was
not afraid to meet any man and talk over
a matter of business.
At this point Mr.. Carscallen was inter
rupted by a gentleman who wished the
| meeting properly organized. This was
done by electing DIR. Gordon chairman,
and David w. Lawrence secretary. Mr..
Carscallen continued his explanation that
| at the other conference it was thought
wise that number of citizens-men who
had no pet schemes but only the good of
Jersey City at heart-should meet and
4 hear what Mr.. Bartlett had to say.
BUT THE REPORTERS REMAINED.
DIR. Gordon thought there was a great
| lack of courage among Jersey City people
| in matters of this kind, and was proceed
| ing to relate how difficult it was to get
them to come out in matter of this kind,
when he was interrupted by Mr.. L. B.
| Ward who informed him that the circular
which he had received was marked con-
| fidential, and he saw some reporters pres
| ent
DR.. Gordon replied that there was con-
ference ON that subject previous to the
meeting and it was decided to let the
| newspaper men remain, but any motion
| in regard to them, even motion to throw
| them out OF a window, would be in order.
Joseph A. Dear moved that they be in
| vited to remain, and it was carried with
rousing aye.
| After some further talk Mr. Bartlett
| stood up before large map which hung
in the back part of the room, labeled
| 'Passaic Water Shed" and, with pointer
in. hand, proceeded to elaborate his
scheme. Mr.. Ringle interrupted him with
| the remark that they were not there to
| listen to dissertation on the water shed,
| but to listen to any proposition Mr.. Bart
| lett had to make. This brought on some
| discussion, during which Mr.. Van Reipen
rather caustically asked Mr.. Bartlett who
was keeping back at Trenton the bills re-
Gently passed by the Assembly, one pro-
viding that no water contract shall be
made unless the people have passed upon
| it by direct vote, and the other creating a
State water Commission.
WHO KEEPS THE WATER BILLS BACK?
sT want to know" said Mr.. Van Reipen,
whether Mr. Bartlett is keeping those
want to know anything about the Passaic
water shed. 1t belongs to us and he'll
never get it with my vote"
Mr.. Bartlett finally gained the floor and
said he was glad of an opportunity to
meet the gentlemen present, and made
several other polite observations. In re-
gard to Mr.. Ringle's question, he said he
was there to receive q proposition. He
had made one which he would explain.
He then paid his respects to some of his
critics and disposed of Colonel Fuller by
saying that that gentleman was not his
counsel and he was not responsible for
what the Colonel said.
He explained his plans as they have
been printed, and, in reply to Mr.. Van
Reipen's question, said that he knew
nothing about the bills in Trenton or any
where else. There is no politics. no
scheme and no religion in his proposition,
he declared, but it is simply a matter of
business.
In answer to question of Mr.. Flemming,
he said that he proposed to supply New
York with the surplus of the water in
this State after Jersey City, Newark and
other cities have been supplied In order
to do this he would expend millions of
dollars, which will be spent in New Jersey
and be subject to assessment here. The
surplus water which he proposes to sell to
New York is the excess of all that can be
consumed by all the cities of New Jersey |
as far south as Long Branch.
THE SURPLUS FOR NEW YORK.
The surplus water, which he proposes to
sell to New York, Is now carried out of
the State to the Atlantic Ocean. OF
course he proposes to make money out of
it, No one works for nothing. He said
he would sell his reservoir and works to
the city for the original cost with interest
and fair business profit. He thought he
could build cheaper than the city could,
because he has been quietly buying up
the land without any ones knowing what
he was after His company could guar
antee to sell what it contracted for
Mr. Booraem obtained the floor and
uoid.--tsI am opnOeed tn this Seharna l,l1f