The Jersey City news., 1891-09-22
WATER And TRANSIT.
Board of Trade Takes AC-
tion in These Important
Matters.
THE CITY MUST HAVE BoTH'
Resolutions Which Will Be Pre-
sented to the City Autho-
rites Without
Delay.
THE CITY MUST HAVE BOTH


ing of the Board of Trade last night,
called to discuss the water and rapid
tran sit questions. Vice President Cud-
lipp presided in the absence of President
Ringle.
Resolutions were adopted expressing
the sense of loss felt by the Board in the
death of James G. Lindsey.
The necessity for a new water supply
was then taken up. The following reso-
luton was offered:-
Resolved, That we deem it proper,
considering the momeutous issues
involved, that the city authorities should
advise with the citizens and taxpayers in
regard to procuring supply OF water
from new source for Jersey City.
''That in considering the subject now,
this Board should confine the discussion
to considering new sources and methods
of supply; the probable cost; the means
for defraying the expense of furnishing
the city with pure ana wholesome water;
and that for the present all other topics
be eliminated"
J. A. Dear was not in favor of limiting
the discussion, but James Flemming
said that otherwise the discussion would
be interminable. The resolution was
finally adopted.
E. M. Fuller said there were only four
available sources OF supply. The NewF
ark, which was insufficient, the Little
Falls, where the cost of pumping would
be excessive; the Rockaway Valley. which
is in danger from possible sewage, and
the Kamapo Valley, which is in every
way available. He then went on to state
that the natural storage capacity OF the
valley is 1000. 600, 900. o0O and the artificial
supply water at an elevation of 225 feet,
and any company or the city can convey
the water at from S45 to $50 per million
gallons.
THE SYNDICATE PLAN.
j. J. Detwlller of Greenville said:--
II understand Jersey City is in such
| condition that we cannot build plant;
we can only ask for bids from syndicates
as to how much they will supply water
| for. think our authorities shoum be-
asked by resolution to apply to these syn,
| dicates for such bids. We cannot afford
| to wait several years for fresh water"
DR.. ]. N. Quimby opposed this plan. II
| know" said he, that Jersey City is
| better able to furnish new water supply
than to employ syndicate, have never
known a syndicate yet to furnish much
better water than we are getting now.
| They charge much more. am
not so much alarmed at the con-
dition of the water. 1t Is a
| misn omer to call it sewage. 1t has not
done any harm. People speak of giving
ID OUT pJauU dS IL III W6Tt 81 luuCA SukaW,
| throwing away many millions and throw
| ing away something much more valuable,
| the franchise to take the water out of the
Passaic. What right has syndicate to
| sell water? Water is the common prop
erty of mankind. These syndicates are
| in you'll have meters In every house.
| Then water will become scarce and uh-
| able to flush cellars and closets, auu yoa
will have disease. want it to go out
that the Passaic water has not caused
any disease"
DIR. GORDON TAKES WATER.
DIR. l.. j. Gordon said:-"We do or we
do not want new water supply. We
| want new water. We want water any
man. woman or child can drink. We
want the best water. We do not care
how much it costs. Though the water
| lieved. yet we are in a serious condition.
| 1t is only the question of few months
| when the Passaic will be in final con-
| dition. Speaking as health officer, l
| say you need new water. l propose to
| offer this resolution
"Resolved, That the proper municipal
| authorities of this city be requested to
| take Immediate action TO the end that a
| new supply of portable water may be
| furnished as early as possible, and to this
end we request such authorities to adver-
| tise at once for a new supply Of water by
| gravity TO the Bergen reservoir, and that
| the city shall have the opportunity to
purchase the plant at q stipulated time
and price"
| LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.
I Mr. Flemming. who spoke next, said:
| --'This question OF a water supply is
a most important one. Water supplies
| outlast governments. In such an ener-
| gency we should not take counsel of our
| fears. We must think not only OF our
| selves, but of those who are to come afJer
i ~ a. -tt fh4 fraf -
supply from the Hackensack and now
| it is necessary to purify it. Stored water
| we can't drink. When you go to these
| peddlers of water you ought to know what
| you are buying. | was opposed to the
| Bartlett scheme, as that gave us water
| good today, but not good tomorrow. The
| kind of water we want is that which bub-
| bles over the rocks in the sunshine; such
| as Mr. Fuller describes that of Ramapo
to be-"
Joseph A. Dear followed and said that
the question of supply involved the ques-
as building plant is concerned, is tied
hand and foot, We have been opposed by
water syndicates when we tried to have a
bill passed authorizing us to issue bonds
for new water supply. II we agreed to
take our water from the Lehigh or any
other syndicate the bill would go through
kiting.
"We had an ally in Newark, and had she
not deserted us we could have compelled
the Legislature to give US the necessary
legislation. Although we must have a
new water supply, yet. we must not
spend any more money than necessary" I"
After the passage of resolution order
ing the appointment of committee to
wait upon the Street and Water Commits
sioners with the resolution, the water
question was dropped. The Board was
about to adjourn when Reuben Simpson
arose and asked if the rapid transit
question was not to be discussed.
Mr. Dear said that Superintendent
Sayre was present and suggested giving
him the floor.
RAPID TRANSIT.
Mr. Sayre said that the attempt made
by the Jersey City and Bergen Railroad
Company to Improve the system in Mont
gomery street had been unsuccessful be-
cause the Street and Water Commission
ers would not permit them to extend the
line to the ferry and virtually forced
them to 20 back TO the old system.
Mir. Lembeck asked II there was not tt
be an elevated road ou Grand street.
Mr.. Sayre said Hardly" but he hinted
that an ELECTRIC road would he operated
there if the opposition of the Street and
Water Board ceased.
1t was finally decided to appoint com
mittee to wait on the Street ana Water
Commissioners and induce them to facl
itate the contamination of any feasible
i