The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-11-23
The Board of Trade Hears
Various Speakers Stir
Up Some Mud.
MR.. RAMAPo PRATT'S VIEWS.
Long Pond Inman Has an Innings
Obstructive Criticism of the
Rockaway Bid.

water question and at the same time to
carp at the steps already taken by the
proper officials to obtain the much and
long desired supply. The object of the
meeting did not miscarry. The usual
kick was made.
AS soon as the meeting was called to
order MIR. Julius H. Pratt, of cemetery
tame, offered the following resolution
Whereas, A proposition for q new water sup
ply IS now pending before the Board of Street
and Water Commissioners of Jersey City, which,
III consequences of limitations expressed in the
specifications therefor, has excluded all sources
Of supply except that from the Rockaway River,
thereby deprivlng the city of the benefit OF a
general competition; and
Whereas, 1t is claimed that other and better
sources OF supply are available for the use of
the city;
Resolved, That this Board recommends that
an invitation be extended by the Boa rd of Street
and Water Commissioners to all persous who
may have facilities for supplying this city with
pure water by a gravity system, to present to
said Board their plans and propositions for such
supply and that ample time be allowed for that
purpose.
COMPREHENSIVE STUPIDITY.
This opened the ball. Mr.. Pratt at
tackled the acUion of the Street and Water
Board in giving to bidders such lin tied
field. How are we profiting by this
changer" said he. "Above the point
where the proposed intake is to be located,
the banks of the + iver are lined with the
homes of laborers, miners and far mers
Can we compel the people of Boonton to
divert the course of their sewage by
some mechanical process? We have had
experience in that direction and I think
lG is not advisable TO leave our present
source to secure sewage water. East
Orange has become bankrupt in its at
tempt to prevent pollution. Why is 1t
that we have maintained a Pollution
Committee for years? Where we propose
now to secure our supply the people nave
ever since New Jersey was settled used
the waters for. mills and factories, and
does anyone suppose that we can step in
now and stop pollution?
There are often Objectionable factors
beeide Invisible State lines. II we could
get the streams from the mountain region
all right, because the lands about them
do not give any resc urces for sustenance
of human beings, but in my optuioD these
specifications exclude the purest water
'"There is another objection. This is
termed gravity supply. 1t is a mis-
nomer. 1t is deceptive. 1t is proposed to
transport the water from Boonton to
Belleville. which is 155 feet above tide
water, suoseQuentlg4its is. 10 be carried
to Bergen Hill, and | say that
to give water to the people of the Hill our
pumping engines will have to be kept in
operation.
"Our increase in population from 1880
to go was IS per cent, and in the next
decade it will probably be much more.
The building of the Boulevard and other
Improvements will have tendency to
draw people to us, and the population
will increase principally on the Hill, and
this means an increase in the pumping
expense. In twenty-five years you will
be pumping as much water as you are
now. have seen plan from the Ramapo
region. 1t has natural site for reser-
voir with capacity of SOC, ,000, 600 gallons,
which is more than eight months supply,
and you could get 1t at a head sufficient
to drive it to High Service without any
pumping"
Mr.. Pratt then attacked Mr.. Inman's
plan and insinuated that he was working
hand in hand with the Moffett, Hodgkins
& Clark Company. "Tnis business of
giving one week to bidders is a snap
game and unfair." he concluded.
ONE OF THE DISAPPOINTED.
Contractor Inman, whose bid was re-
fused. next addressed the meeting. My
plan," said he, sis one that will relieve
me from paying cent. l propose organiz-
ing a stock company and issuing bonds
to do he work. The bonds issued would
require perhaps the payment OF interest
not exceeding 1885, 900 per year. The in
terest money goes only to stockholders.
AT the end of twenty-five years the CITY
owns the plant absolutely. This other
company will have to do considerable
pumping or else they will have to go on
to the East Jersey Company's property for
a sufficient supply. ! have a supply which
is from SEQ to 900 feet above tidewater
7 ir IN iRh
sufficient head TO use at fires without
pumping.
Your increase in consumption each
year is about per cent. You start by
taking twenty-five million gallons and
increase more than a million gallons
yearly.
THE first year you will pay $3.50, 1890;
second, $313, ,0S0; third, $685., 440; fourth,
1897 $50; tenth. $479, ,280; fifteenth, $780, ass
twentieth, $685. 230; twenty-fitth $739, ,343.
"That is about what this bid means,
and altogether your water costs you
$13, ,290. $50, and then add So, 49, ,0S0 to get
1t to High service and you have total
cost of SIG, 1881, ,739, and stln they own the
plant and big part of the city at the
plant and it costs you SO. 7S5, ,779, or $6. 6.545,
500 cheaper, and you have your works."
OBJECTIONS ALL AROUND.
Mr.. Leobens Is. Ward declined to dis
cuss the question. He believed, how
ever, that it would be difficult matter
to secure more than twenty-five millions
or gallons daily. except by going above
BoonJon. Counsellor Flemming thought
the idea of requiring $4,000 cash secur-
ity was preposterous. He had like
opinion of the whole business.
Druggist Eugene Hartnett favored the
city owning its own water works. He also
doubted the assertion that the city was
consuming twenty-five millions of gallons
daily. He was informed that nine millions
of gallons was the limit. Mr.. Hartnett ad-
vocated the issue Of bonds and condemna-
tion of lands.
President Dear put damper on Mr.
Hartnett by informing him that such a
thing could not be done, as the Legisla-
ture was controlled by the water syndi-
Gates.
GOOD SENSE vIEws.
Humphrey w. Carr wanted the city to
get the water anyway, SO long as it was
pure. He was willing to pay for 1t and
delay.
what we want to consider" said
Counsellor Condict, ''is whether the sue
ply will be ample, pure aud wholesome,
I know that the water up there is pure
and wholesome. know the lakes Mr..
Inman speaks Of and know the water is
pure. Ii we can get Mountain Lake
water, that is what we want"
After considerable debating 1t was de-
cided to appoint committee OF three to
accompany the Street and Water Com
missioners on tie inspection tour on
Saturday. The committee will report to
the Board at a meeting to be held next
Tuesday morning.
Mr. naQn din NOT nnnnl7nNa tho Nofn.