The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-11-30
WON'T HAVE CARROTS
Street and Water Board Nags
Have Been Living
Too High.
FINANCIERs CALL A HALT
No More Money for Salaries or
Supplies Without Anteeed-
ent Concurrence.
AN OLD LEGAL OPINION
Warning Served ON Tradesmen Who
Enjoy the City's Custom
Pampered Republicans.

The Finance Commissioners met last
night and by a unanimous vote put a
check on the purchase of goods by the
Street and Water Commissioners. The
following resolution explains the stand
the Finance Commissioners have taken:
Whereas, This Board has been advised
TO retlse to concur in the purchase of
any materials and merchandise, unless
the nature, quality and price thereof are
fully reported to said Board before pur-
chase; therefore be it
Resolved, That hereafter this Board will
not concur in or make any provision for
any claim or obligation incurred by the
Street and Water Commissioners for
iaiS furnished by said Board of Street
and Water Commissioners for the water
department of this city, unless the en-
ploynent of such men and the rate of
compensation to be paid and the nature
and Qpallty of such. merchandise and
materials, and the price thereof is first
proVal. ~
why is such check placed upon the
Street and Water co mmissioners?" asked
a News reporter of President Jones.
Because the vigilant Chairman of the
Committee on Concurrent Resolutions
..Mr. Detwiller is Chairman of the Com
mittee 1 speak of. He has examined
every bill sent here carefully, and in
many Instances has found what he con-
siders excessive charges He called the
attention of the Board to the bills. and
we have sent what he believed exor-
bitant bills back every meeting for re-
consideration. Our action did not have
the desired effecs stand we have now de-
cided to compel the Street and Water
Commissioners to submit to US for our
concurrence reauisitfons for everything
they wish to buy and the number of men
they propose employing and the salaries
to be paid. In this way we can effect
ually check any attempt to contract un
necessary bills or purchase materials
at prices higher than we deem proper"
UNDER LEGAL ADVICE.
In 1891. when William D. Edwards was
Corporation Counsel. he advised the
and for a long time it was done. The
result was that the city paid regular
market prices for supplies. and the guam
tity bought was reduced noticeab,y-
One reason for the action taken by the
present Board is that recently bills were
sent down by the Street and Water
Commissioners for carrots to feed the
horses of the Board at $.25 a barrel.
The first bill for the vegetables that
came under Commissioner Detwiller's
notice was labelled in this way and
sent back: 'sWhy spend public money in
this way?" This rebuke did not have the
desired effect. Last night bills for forty
four barrels of carrots at s1.25 a barrel
were submitted to the Board for con-
currrence. Commissioner Detwiller has
made an investigation and found that
the carrots are being fed to the horses
in the stables at High Service and
Wayne street.
RESULTS OF INQUIRY.
The Finance Commissioners think the
horses are living, too high. They also be-
lieve carrots can be bought for less
than sl.25 a barrel. The carrots were fur
nislled by Samuel Blakey of Warren
street. He is a Republican of the Farrier
combination. He is to be requested to
shave his bills little and discontinue
the supply of carrots
The Jersey City Harness Supply Com
pany viii also be given a shaking up.
One of the members of the company is
Robert Urauhart, who ran for Assembly
blyman in the Second district and was
defeated by Patrick Connolly. His bill
for supplies covers a couple of pages of
foolscap. There are many items in it
that the Finance Commissioners think
too high They also believe some of the
fixings purchased could have been dis
pensed with.
The water account is in such bad
shape that the Finance Commissioners
intend calling a halt.
Another reason for the action against
tine Street and Water Commissioners is
that the appropriation of the Committee
on Public Grounds and Buildings has
been overdrawn. To make up the de-
ficiency. the Board was compelled last
might to borrow $1,000 on a temporary
loan bond bearing per cent. interest.
The new rule governing the purchase
cs supplies and engagement of men be-
comes operative on December /. Mer-
chants having accounts with the Street
and Water Commissioners are warned
that their claims will not be paid by
the Finance Board unless requisitions
for. every thing ordered have first been
concurred in.