The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-02-18

local questions.
Utterly Bad Water Specifications.
1t is extraordinary how little atten-
ton has been excited, SO far, by the
so-called specifications" approve d
last Monday, under which it is pro-
posed to advertise for new bids for a
water supply. The impression some
way got abroad that they were the
same as those of the preceding Mon
day, with some slight modification as
to the material of the pipe line. AS a
matter of fact, they are a wholly diff
ferent affair. 1t is not going too far to
say that they have been drafted in
the interest of a scandalous job, and
every one, who knows anything,
knows by this time just whose cum
ming hand and brain concocted them.
There are two things which call
forth the censure of even the most
unobservant reader of these specifica-
tions:-First, the date set for the re-
ception of bids; Second, the absence
OF all security or guarantee of good
faith on the part of the bidder.
The date set is February 81. The
resolution was adopted on the 18th.
Thus two scant weeks were allowed
for Mayor Wanser to act on the reso-
luton, for advertisement to be made,
and for intending bidders to prepare
their estimates. Plainly, somebody
who was ready, was determined to
m axe it impossible for any competitor
to get ready and come in in time. AS
a matter of fact, Mayor Wanser has
not yet signed the resolution. He has
until next Friday to do so. Should
he do so, next week, there would be
only three OF four days in which to
advertise. This is certainly queer.
In the second place, the bidders
are not required to give the least
bond or make the least deposit to
prove their solidity or good fait h.
Why not? If we are going to put up
a 500, 900 school or police station, we
require a bond or a check for say
5000, to accompany every bid. Then
why should we open the door so
recklessly in the matter of a water
contract, involving millions? The
successful bidder, the specifications
demand, must put up a bond for
$3.50, 600. The absurd inadequacy Of
this is surely apparent. The whole
transaction looks as if some impecu-
NOUS and irresponsible party had had
the call drafted in his personal interest,
and banked on the credit of the city to
get him financial backing when the
contract was awarded to him.
We call Mayor Wanser's attention
to these features Of the ''speciica-
tions." We ask him to size up the
general vagueness and laxity of the
provisions. We suggest to him that
the document is drawn up to cover
any or everything that may come
along. We suggest to him to enquire
around among politicians and find out
who drew the paper. He may find
some reason for distrust when he
hears the name. We believe the
Mayor, If he makes diligent enquiry
and careful personal investigation,
will find overwhelming reason to veto
the resolution and send the whole
matter back to the Street and Water
Board to have specifications drawn in
which the public interests are properly
safeguarded.
Perhaps the Street and Water Board
may avoid an unpleasant incident by
recalling the resolution themselves.
Probably they do not realize how bad
this document is. Now that their at
tention is drawn to it, they will see
how they have been deceived by one
who has made deception the business
of his life, and will hasten to retreat
from the false position they have been
placed in.