The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-10-23
SECRET CONFERENCE
Trying to Pour Oil On
Troubled Waters and
Mix Two Boards.
FINANCIERS AND S. & ". COM'Rs
They Meet in Judge Blair's Office
and Swear Eternal 0aths
of Secrecy.

The Finance and Street and Water
Commissioners held a long conference
this morning in Corporation Counsel
Blair's office in the Weldon building.
City Attorney weart was present to see
tina the Street and Water Commissioners
should not drop into any little trap the
willy Finance Commissioners might have
laid for them. The members of the two
boards are at variance on the water
! question, n after each supposed secret
conference on the subject, each SIDE
has accused the other of furnishing the
news of the conference to reporters.
This morning every man in the room
pledged himself to secrecy, and, as a re-
suit, the details of an interesting SQUAD
BILE which took place are not known.
Ex-Judge Blair settled one point at
issue between the boards by declaring
that under the law, the Street and
Water Board is the only board author
lied to employ the experts. whose ser
vices are deemed necessary by the FL
nance Board, to review the specifications,
and report such amendments as will bet
ter protect the city's interests. This
was a bitter bill for the Finance Com
m~issioners to swallow, and it is said
upon excellent authority that they pro-
pose engaging experts at their W ex-
pense. They spurn the offer of the
Street and Water Commissioners to sug-
gest the names of experts to be ngaged
by them if they deem the men named
competent to grapple with the perpleXed
water specifications. The Finance Com
m%issioners refuse to make any conces-
sions whatever with the board. Unless
the Street and Water Commissioners
agree to amend the specifications to meet
with the approval of the Finance Board,
the latter board will not concur in any
resolution authorizing the advertisement
for bids.
City Attorney Weart, on behalf of the
Street and Water Board. declared that
the original specifications are the best
which can possibly be prepared to meet
the present emergency. IN view of the
determined opposition of the FINANCE
Commissioners may, at a meeting to be
held Thursday morning, amend the
specifications slightly so as to meet
with the demand of the Finance Com
A member of the Street and Water
Board said this afternoon that this
in a speedy adjustment of the difficult
ties. The Street and Water Commits
sioners are anxious to have bids adver-
tised for before the Legislature con-
venes. 1t is said that d determined
effort will be made this winter to pass
a State Water Board bill.
At his evenings session of the Board
of Aldermen, Michael Day will offer a set
of resolutions calling upon the Street
and Water Board to take immediate ac-'
ton, under the laws of 1852, to prevent
the further pollution of the Passaic.
There is no occasion to contract for a
new supply of water" said the Aldermen
this afternoon. :
IF an IS, ,OOe contract is fastened
upon the city I wan to sell all the
property I own here at once. We car, !
believe, prevent the pollution of the Pas
sale. l believe hat the best interests of
the city will be protected by engaging
q disinterested lawyer. We cannot get
any better water than the Passaic If it
is properly protected from contamina-
ton. If the Street and Water Commits
sioners refuse to act. I propose finding
out what the powers of the Aldermen
are, and having our board push the
matter. I believe the Aldermen. being
the elected representatives of the people,
the proper officials to act upon this
question of acquiring an improved supply
of water"
This evenings session promises to be
a lively one.