The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-07-29

'~eNfoNf - ehttAc Hcs ~ - -
for next
The item for public grounds aud build
ings is the same that was allowed to the
Board of Aldermen last year. The change
was caused by the so-called Newark law
passed during the last session. Between
the two boards, there is saving OF S24996
on this item.
The salary item appears much larger
than last year. This is partly due to the
same Newark law which increased the
number Of Street and Water Commission
ers and partly to the transfer Of several
employees from the police and Aldermanic
payrolls to this one under the same stat
ute. The sum allowed si4. 500 covers
exactly the present salaries. There is no
margin for increases In amount or num-
Der.
The printing and stationery item, 81 500,
is low but not injuriously so. II Is
probably all that can be honestly spent
for these purposes.
Nothing is allowed for the E ngineerinR
Bureau against 81, COO last year. The law
req uires that pro rata amount shall be
set aside from the money spent on every
public work to iefray the expense of this
bureau The Finance Board thinks 1t
right that this should extend to work
paid for out of the excise moneys. It Is
an annual custom OF the Street and
Water Bureau to ask $50 900 for this
bureau. It is, OF course, never allowed.
The Board wanted $4,000 for repairs to
unpaved streets. It is allowed 5000, the
same last year. ct must be remem-
bered that "last year" throughout this
article refers to the time Of making the
appropriations, the same being really for
the year now current. just ss this years
appropriations are for next year, In the
first place, there are no more miles of un-
paved streets to provide for, now than be-
fore. In the second place 1t Is regarded
as bad policy to encourage property
owners to put off the final improvement
of the streets. If they are DANGEROUS. of
course they must be repaired. II thev are
not, why let the property owners bear
with them or pave them. II economy
must be practiced anywhere, it is argued,
surely this Is the place for it.
zThe increase of sle0 in the insurance ac-
count is rendered necessary Dy the in
crease in policies held by the city.
The item for the reconstruction OF sew
ers is the same as last year. The Board
asked for $4,000, and probably that
amount might be fairly expended. But
most Of the work can be held over to an
easier year. All the worst cases of defec-
tive sewerage in the city have been at
tended to within the past year at very
great expense. The Mill Creek nuisance.
indeed, remains unabated, but it was not
proposed to attack it with this money,
and doubtless special legislation will
have to be secured, sooner or later. TO dis
pose Of it.
Next come the two items for street
lighting, 5000 FOR gas and oil lamps and
$4,000 for electric lights. They are to-
gether just the same sum allowed 20 the
Police Board in last years budget for this
purpose, but s., 900 less is allowed for gas
and given over TO the extension of the
electric lights. The sum is not extrava-
CANT. It is said the Financiers talked of
reducing it considerably. TO have done
SO would. we think, have been simply to
create deficit where one had not before
existed.
The district court rentals, 1,s00, are
simply transferred from the Board Of Al
derman; so are the rents of armories.
This is a result of the Newark Bill. To
dispose of the subject for good, it will be
observed that the expenses Of caring for
city buildings, ordinary janitor's and
cleaners work remain in charge Of the
board tenantipg each one. The Street
aud Water Board merely provides the
buildings, and Keeps them in repair when
owned by the city. Thus it will be found
that several of last years appropriations
are simply divided, part gong to the
Street and Water jurisdiction as above
and the rest remaining with the Alder
men or Police Commissioners as of old.
Finally, we have $1,000 appropriated for
the adornment of Van Worst and Hamil-
ton Parks. We understand this wild
extravaganza was INDUCED in On the
petition of various residents in the
neighborhood OF the two breathing spots.
The Board, we understand, argues that
the petitioners paid very large part of
the taxes, and this request was entitled
to some attention, especially as all the
citizens found enjoyment in the parks.
We do not assume to pass an opinion on
this point. If money were plenty, this
would be pleasant way TO spend it. If
it is scarce. these Improvements can be
postponed year or two without disaster.
IL is said the Mayor proposes to veto all
four items. He has power to do 50 under
the new Charter. He can veto any single
item he pleases. and approve the rest OF
the appropriations.
And here endeth the chapter of the
Street and Water Board. Adding to last
years total the amounts then al
lowed to other boards for items trans
ferred TO it under the present re-
gime, We find a grand total of $780,
200 in round figures against s1S1. 800 ia
this budget. The increases are In the
Street Cleaning $4,000; the salaries
s5,50o): and the improvement of the
parks. all Of which have been fully ex-
planned.
Next in order coInes:-
THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.