The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-01-25
WATER JOB DENOUNCED.
The Aldermen expose the East
Jersey Water Company's
Professions.

The Aldermen paid their respects to
the outrageous proposition of the Jersey
City Construction Company at a Session
OF the Board held last evening. The fo.-
lowing preamble and resolutions were
passed by a unanimous voter
Whereas a proposition has been presented to
the Street and Water Commissioners by the
Jersey City Construction Company 10 bshair OF
the East Jersey Water Company, for ishing
water to the city, from the surplus supply OF
said company, the terms of which proposition
are that the Construction Company will furnish
a supply for @ term of seven years, beginning
June 30, 1893, and ending June 80, 1900, at the
price of $50 per million gallons used by the city,
the water to be delivered in the receiving reser-
voir at Belleville only, and not Ia the city reser-
voirs, which proposition the said Board has now
under consideration, end
Whereas, This city, operating its own pumping
works, was able in the year 1891 to, deliver into
its reservoirs and distributing pipes 2f.250,u0O
gallons per day at a cost Tor maintenance ana
operation of pumps and reservoirs, including
High Service Works, of S149, 1855 {, or $l9.2T per
million gallons; and
Whereas, 1t is estimated by the said Board
that the present average daily consumption OF
the city is %, 600, 900 gallons, to deliver which
into the reservoirs at Believille, under the afone-
said proposition, would require an annual pay
ment of $401 500; and
Whereas. The acceptance of the said propo-
sition would increase the cost of delivering water
into the resesvoir more than $50 per cent. and
would increase the annual cost OF water ser,
vice to the city $246, 1929 at the present rate of
consumption, which expense must be con-
tributed by our citizens, either by adding it to
the tax levy or by raising the water rent, and
Whereas, If the consumption of water con-
tinues to increase du ring the next seven years
ut the same rate at which it has increased dur
ing the past ten years, the acreage daily con-
sumption In the year 1900 would exceed 81 ,000,-
coo gallons per day, and the average consump-
ton for the above term would be 27,5G0.0 600 gal
Ions per day, the Payments for which, under the
proposed contract you'd aggregate Ss,Ao''@o
Whnreas, Under the existing contract be-
tween the East Jersey Water Company and the
city Of Newark the city of Newark is 10 recstve
per day, in consideration of the payment OF
$4,000 per annum in the form of interest upon
5000 900 of 4 per cent bonds. The aggregate OF
aid payment being Sf,029,10D or less than one
third the amount demanded from this city for a
less quantity of water, and,
Whereas, Moreover the aforesaid proposition
'emanates from o corporation which claims to
have exclusive control and actual ownership of
the water flowing in the Pequannock River and
other rivers of THIS State. from which the water
supply Of the cities IN TINS portion OF the state
Whereas, The claims so made are opposed to
public policy and subverSive OF the rights of the
State over said rivers flowing therein, as the trus-
tee of the public an for the equal. benefit OF all
the communities equitably entitled by their
geographical location TO participants therein;
therefore
h6SOlVcu, ludL We, bue k1luCEEtcu VI JclS6y
City, hereby enter our solemn protest against
the acceptance by the representatives OF the
city of the aforesaid proposition on the 70 How
ing grounds: First; That the price demanded
for the water is excessive and out OF proportion
to the present cost OF water to this city aud to
the price which the same water is furnished to
the city of Newark and that no reason exists
for the imposition Of this great burden on the
taxpayers and water takers of the city.
Second, That 1t is based upon a fraudulent
claim OF ownership of the Pequannock River.
Resolved, That it is desirable, in the opinion of
this Board, that Legislation should be enacted
comforting upon the cities of this State power to
by the process of condemnation, the sur
plus waters. capable Of delivery from the works
owned or operated by private water companies
organized for the purpose of absorbing the con-
troll of large bodies of potable water, and of en-
tire streams and watersheds, with the view of
controlling the water supply of extensive dis
tricts, and rendering it impossible for the mum
icipalities therein to secure a satisfactory sup
ply of pure water, except by purchase from
them.
Resolved, That this Board requests the repre-
sentatives of this city in the Leg islature to urge
the passage of such law or laws as will enable
the cities and towns Of this State to procure a
Joint water supply from the great water shed of
the State, through the agency of the State Board
of Commissioners.
Resolved, That these resolutions be spread in
full upon the minutes, and that verified copies
be delivered by the City Clerk to His Honor the
Mayor, the Board of Finance and the Board of
Street and Water Commissioners and to the
members of the Senate and House of Assembly
from this city and county.
The resolutions we're offered by Alder
man Day. In speaking of the proposition
of the Construction Com pany he said:-
SIT is an insult to the ci ty. When we get
a new supply the city should own it. ]
hope the Legislature will break up these
water companies"