The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-01-24
Captain Hooker's Passaic Water
Scheme.

Captain Hooker's Passaic Water
Scheme.
We give in another column the sub
stance of Captain William H. Hooker's
much talked of, but never before pub
lished plan for supplying Jersey City
with s.pure and wholesome" water
from the Passaic in the vicinity OF
BelIeville Bridge. The scheme is in
terestins, but we are hardly inclined
to regard it as practicable. At least
it seems to be almost as costly as any
other plan that has been proposed,
and after all, the water afforded would
be only "pure and wholesome" in
comparison with the abominable sew
age that is now poured into our
homes.
Captain Hooker's plan Involves
ID The construction of from eight
to ten miles of intercepting sewer, &C
cording to the thoroughness of the
system adopted. This, including the
right of way and the connections, all
of which should be made at Jersey
City's expense, would cost from
$50, 900 to 5000, 600 a mile.
"a There would be the dam across
the river, with its locks, s~luiceways
and other appurtenances. This would
certainly cost $500, 900, if not double
that sum.
Thus the initial cost would run up
anywhere from two to three millions
of dollars. Then there would be the
enormous cost of maintaining the
works, of keeping the sewer clean and
in repair, of keeping up the dam, and
of opening the lock. There would be
the expenses besides, of trying to
check pollution of the river from
other sources.
And could this be done? We think
not any better than at present. A
considerable body of pollution enters
the river from this bank, and Captain
Hooker's plan takes no account of
it whatever.
Then the plan involves no saving
whatever, of present expense. The
Captain, at the opening of his inter-
view, speaks of the desirability of
getting water by a gravity system.
But obviously, that is out of the ques-
ton SO far as the Passaic at Belleville
is concerned. 1t is true the Captains
dam would raise the level of the river,
two or three feet, but that would
make no practical difference. The
water should be pumped just as it is
today.
No, we think there is nothing
feasible in the Captains proposition.
BUT the Captains information
about the working of the meter sys-
tenn in Providence is most interesting
and important. If it reduces the con
sumption of water in that city to any
thing like the figure stated by Cap
tain Hooker, it is certainly a wonder
full improvement.
Assuming that 900, 900 people in this
city, Bayonne and Kearny use the
water pumped at Belleville, they
ought only consume about II. DOC, 900
gallons per diem, at the rate stated
for Providence, whereas the Bellevilie
pumps are now obliged to lift from
"a, 000, 900 to %, 200, 900 gallons a day
from the river. There is only one
element lacking in Captain Hooker's
report. He forgets to tell US what
proportion of P~rovidence's residents
use we'll water.
Even making a liberal allowance
for this element, however, it looks as
if the meter system, by making people
pay for what they waste, saved the
city the expense of pumping a good
deal in vain. 1t seems certain the ap-
plication of the meter might be ex-
tended in all cities with profit.
TALKING of water, it is amazing the
dishonesty with which ring papers,
especially of the Newark stamp, dis
tort every effort to enforce through
legislation, equity and the rights of
the public. as against those of the
monopolies. Here is the way the New
ark Sunday Cali misrepresents the
bill now pending at Trenton
The city of Newark cannot be robbed by the
eity of Jersey City of water which it pays fof
but of the taxes imposed upon Newarkers. The
Legislature is not likely TO enact such a bill, nor
would it be likely to stand the test OF the courts,
II enacted.
The fact is, Jersey City does not at
Tempt to touch Newark's water sup
ply. We aim at the surplus that city
cannot use, but which, dog-in-the-
manger-like, she refuses to let us
have.
That the Call very well understands
this is shown by these. its next re-
marks
AS for the surplus water in possession of the
East Jersey Water Company until 1900, Newark
mas nothing whatever to do with it, and need
aot worry over it. Anyway, the East Jersey
Company has heretofore shown ample capacity
10 protect iiseif-to say nothing OF getting the
,est OF municipal governments. There IS no
.alse for anxiety in regard to water legisiat ion
t Trenton, SO far as can be perceived at pre-
ent.
Here is paper Of respectable stand
ng which glories in the power OF a