The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-01-09
Ex T I r 4 !! !!
COLD DOUCHE.
Startling Water PROPOSE
tion Presented to the
Street and Water
Board Today.
FIFTY DOLLARS A MILLION.
Bob" Davis and 0restes Cleve-
land Said to Heartily Favor
the Scheme.
EEWARK'S SURPLUS OFFERED.
The East Jersey Water Company at
Work-Why the Recent Bids
We're So Strenuously
Opposed.
HEWARK'S SURPLUS OFFERED
MUST DECIDE BY FRIDAY.

1UeT6 Wds u mecGlu& VI bAC A|Oo1 "a VA
Street and Water Commissioners this
morning. 1t was generally supposed the
rejection of the bid of the Moffet.
Hodgkins & Clarke Co. for new
supply of water would be followed
by the Reimbursement for bids. This
was found unnecessary, as under the head
of new business. an exceedingly
seductive proposition was presented by
Councillor W. II. Corbin in behalf of
the Jersey City Construction Company.
THE PROPOSITION.
Tae following is the communications
To the Board of Street and Water Commits
sioners:-
DEAR s. .Rs-The recent agitation Of the ques-
tion of water supply for this city has made
plain several very important facts, among
which is First, That the water now used in Jer-
sey City, is not only impure, but dangerous to
consumers, with every reasonable prospect of
is being still fu.6her polluted each sue
ceeding day. other fact is, that to procure
permanent supply of pure water adequate
10 the growing needs Of the city. would require
several years time under the most favoring con-
dtions i. g. freedom from opposition on the
part OF manufacturing and other business in
terests, litigation, etc. for land and water
rights, would have to be acquired, and the con-
struction necessary to bring good water, free
from contamination, from remote distances
cannot be carried to satisfactory
conclusion as easily and expeditiously
as the process for so doing can be
described. The fact is that the city must have
a permanent and adequate supply Of pure and
wholesome water. 1t. therefore, follows that
for the interim necessary between this and the
completion of works necessary thereto, tbs city
must look to works already constructed for
temporary supply of pure water. To that end,
the jersey City Construction Company,
of this State and city, presents this
communication with a view to making
a short term contract with the city, during
which term the city will have ample opportunity
to make arrangements for permanent supply,
enjoying meantime the benefits of supply of
thoroughly good water. The only source of
supply Immediately available is that of the East
Jersey Water Company, as its water is now
within a mile of Reservoir No. Of this city.
The undersigned has made arrange
ments with the East Jersey Water
Company for supply sufficient
TO carry out the offer which is hereby presented
to the Board as follows:-
First. The Jersey City Construction Company
willsdeiver into the Reservoir No. 1 of Jersey
City, at Belleville, pure water drawn from
the surplus supply Of the East Jersey
Water Company in quantity equal to
the present consumption by the city,
and so much more as the city may require not
eqceeding an annual increase of 400,0)0,000l
gallons until July /. 1895, thereafter, and until
the end of the term of this contract, we will de-
liver at the rate OF 35.o0oooo gallons per day if
required by the city to do so.
Second. The Construction Company vii
procure the rights Of way and construct the
necess ary supply pipes, conduits and works
necessary for the delivery of the supply into
the said reservoir without cost to the city.
The city to furnish and permit the Company
to use and occupy the part of the
city's lands available to be used for
the purpose and to condemn and use
its power of eminent domain where
ever necessary for the purposes of the pro-
posed contract in Essex County and else
where Third. The Construction Company will
furnish the supply for term of seven years
beginning June 30, 1s93 at the price of $50 per
million gallons used by the city, payments to
be made on the 10th day of each month for
water delivered up to the first day of each
month, the supply to be measured by
the Construction Company subject to the
Inspection by the proper officers of
the city The company will, upon the
acceptance of this offer, procure, or cause to be
pr cured, an assign to the Mayor and Alderm n
Of Jersey City by the Montcair Water Company,
the contract made between said company wi ia
Mayor and Council of Bayonne. for a supply of
wa er to said city for one year at the rate Of $50
per million gallons, such assignment to be for
the term provided for in this offer, and
will also procure the assignment Of
other contract or contracts made by or owned
Or controlled by the East Jersey Water Com
pany, with any and all other consumers of water
In this city. the rate per million gallons in such
contracts if any, shall in no instance be less
than $50. The Mayor and Aldermen of Jersey
City on their part assume the per-
formance Of said contracts and under
taking the supply Of fwater hereunder
according to the terms thereof as above
modified. This offer will remain open for &C.
septance at any time before the 10Th of January
next, ensuing the day hereof.
H. H. HOLMES,
President.
Dated January z, 1898.
As soon as Clerk Bouton had finished
resding this precious document. Com
missioner Cook moved that it be referred
10 the Committee of the Whole. There
vas no objection to this and the pro-
position will be well considered between
low and January.
MR.. CoRBIN EXPLAINS.
Counsellor .Corbin was extended the