The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-01-08

SIDEWALK REPAIRS.
Owing 10 HE fact that tue money set
hpnrt for this purpose WAS not obthiuable
until about tue middl of September, not
rDnch practical good mas been accoia-
plished.
An Inspector, appointed for the purpose
has male mum beers of reports to the Clerk
of the Board, showing the urgent need OF
repairs, and notices hive been issued to
the owners of property in each case.
While some owners have seen fit to place
their walks III The condition of repair re-
qnired, others have paid no heed. The
derelicts, however. have been fuly noted;
the repairs will be made under our di-
%rectioD, and the cost of same, together
with. the proportionate snare of the cost
of notification, etc. will be CHARGED
ngainst tine property. Tnis cannot but
10 a sum greater Than the owner
conid have had the work done for; but IL
is Quite evident that the Board must take
positive action IN order that laggards
may be brought to Il re tlzing sense OF
the fact that our notices mean just what
they say.
STREET LIGHTING
With the incoming of tue present Board
came also the responsibility OF street illu-
ninatioa.
Contracts made by the authorities. on
whom this duty formerly devolyed, were
already in existence, and we have seen To
their prope enforcement. Tue city is, at
present writing, lighted as foliows:-
Electric lights. 1l9
Gas 900
vi .......:. LOW
Many petitions are presented for the
extension of the system, aud while 1t is
beyond the power of the Board TO grant
all that nave been received. we have
made Il considerable extensions, choosing
localities where the exigeucies seem great
est. Our sys EN- has Kept pace with the
growth of the environs.
WATER suPPLY-PUMPING.
While no new addition has been made
TO the plant at BellevIile Il considerable
outlay was necessary to replace natural
deterioration and to maintain the works
in such condition as to preclude the pos
Slbiilty OF Il suspension or even diminu-
lion OF supply. In orasr that our citizens
may be provided with Il full supply OF
water the works at BellevIlie are kept
constantly running, and by this we mean
that night and day for 365 days per wear,
these works are kept in IL state Of BUSH
ness activity. Under such circumstances
it is hardly 10 he wondered that a con-
siderable amount of money is necessary
for maintenance.
The services has been divided into
three watches, and The constant working
OF the pumps and engines naturally
necessiSates more frequent repairs.
The ola cement main on the Hacken-
sack Meadows, by which direct connec-
tlOh IL ihttO OCbWGCh D0llCNIllC tt w
High Service Works at Hudson City has
been Il constant menace. A serious break
was liable IL occur at any time. During
the past year we have had il largely re-
paired and recovered, so that ut present. it
Is IN as FUR condition as could be reason
ably expected. We would much prefer
that this main should be entirely rebnilt,
as that would be the most permanent AMI
only absolutely safe plan; but The large
attendant outlay has caused us to hesitate.
Our High Service Works are run in much
the same manner as those at Belleville.
The new Worthington Pump has been
completed much TO Il satisfaction. 1t
gives excellent service, aud in connection
with the standpipe recently erected, in
creaseS the volume and force Of supply in
our high Service district to such an ex-
emit that complaint is seldom II ever
heard.
EXTENSION n REPAIRS.
Hardly Il meeting or The Board Is held
without petitions for water pipe being
presented. Some of these petitions
would require the laying of the three or
four hundred feet of pipe to supply but a
single building and the consequent out
lay would be entirely dispro porto nate TO
the prospective income. This class of
petitioners are the most importune aud
unless their requests are speedily granted
hasten to berate the Board for neglect of
duty aud lack of public spirit. Some
years ago it was permissible to charge a
pipe tax for vacant property. and although
the rate was a small one (S2.25 Tor a plot
25x100) 1t yielded some return, ant more
liberaiitv could be extended in the grant
ing OF petitions. Notwithss anding the
fact that the laying OF water pipe in Il
street PROFESSIONALLY enhances the value
OF vacant property. and tends to make it
more saleable, the Courts have decreed
thut the Tax is not a legal one aud it is
therefore no longer imposed. A proper
-N-x, f~,.Ar I~ v,-k - 1--.I.
ties often prompts us to make extensions
that would be uu warranted were it not for
the fact that such extensions are in
centive to further building with
a consequent return for our outlay. These
extensions are sometimes quoted by be-
t%itioners whe desire us to lAy hundreds Of
feet OF pipe in isolated localities where
the water rents even IN the remote fu-
ture would not yield u sum sufficient to
even pay a proper interest on our eX-
penditure. We are ever ready to extend
courtesies but they must be made SUB
seryient TO necessities. We believe the
course adopted by us to be the proper
one, and feel that 1t will meet with the
approval of our citizens generally.
Repairs are constant. Mains laid when
the Department was in its infancy often
served notice that time had worked raw
ages. These matters must receive
prompt attention. and while in the inter
est of economy a reduction in force is
sometimes made In other branches of the
service, u sufficient aud competent force
must always be retained in order to give
reported breaks instant attention., amt
night and day, Sunday or holiday, will
find them engaged where tae circum-
stances require it.
ASSESSMENTS.
Our assessments for the use of water
are MS low MS orr experience will allow us
TO make them. A bupk OF rates is gratu-
itously given to consumer and over
charges are thus MAIDS impossible. Not
Il little loss is occasioned by the failure of
some plumbers TO promptly report extern
sionS in house service, aud US we must de-
pend largely on them for a knowledge of
what bath II closet connections are
mad it places us at a decided disadvan-
tage while levying assessments. This has
been overcome III "a measure by the en-
ployment OF ReaSS.SsorS, who make 4
complete Il thorough tour OF each dis
trict. their returns showing the wisdom
Of such employment. rs the amounL of adj
ditional and heretofore unknown assess
ables largely exceeds tile outlay in sal
aries with the additional bsne6t that
such findings become an annu ii hafge
NEW WATER SUPPLY.
We refer to this subject oulv that we
may not be accused OF begging the Ques-
ton.
Much has been said pro aud con, II
many arguments presented for and
against. We have taken full heed, and