The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-05-04
A WEEKS DELAY.
The Board Of Finance Fails
to Concur in the Water
Contract.
LAST NIGHTS SECRET MEETING
Commissioner Hardnbergh Does
a Difficult Example in
Addition.
Asst NIGHTS SECRET MEETING

AuQkblUus
The water problem is still IN allowance,
The Board of Finance took no action
last night, and the resolution awarding
the contract to the Jersey City Water
Company will not be disturbed again un-
I'll the evening of May 19, when such
cobWebs as have collected upon it will
be brushed off and final disposition made
OF the apparently annoying resolution.
At midnight Thursday night It was an
understood thing that the contract was
to be concurred in by Messrs. Simpson,
Bailey and Detwiller. 1t was even re-
ported that the award would have been
made that same night had it not been
for courtesy to President Jones and Com
missioner Hardenbergh, who are strong
ly opposed to the plans of the Jersey
City Water Company. The situation at
nine o'clock yesterday morning was un-
changed. and those interested in the
award to the Jersey City Company con-
fidently expected that the Board of FL
nance, at it's meeting last night, would
in short order concur in the award
AT eleven o'clock yesterday morning
the Street and Water Board met Asfew
minutes previous to the meeting it be-
came known that there had been a
flop in the Board of Finance, and that
the award was not only not to be con-
cured IN. but was to be rejected The
information was authentic, and is said
to have been impaired by Commissioner
Simpson
The Street and Water Commissioners
were not pleased with the information,
n fhn +l,..
they We're glad that it was the Finance
Commissioners and not themselves VINO
We're dealing with the problem The
members of the Street and Water Board
are of the opinion that new water is
necessary factor in the advancement
OF the city, and they regret that they
are to retire from office without first
having procured a new supply of water
MIR. WEART vExED.
City Attorney Weart was present at
the meeting, and when he was informed
that the award to the Jersey City Water
Company would probably be rejected ne
was vexed Mr.. Weart has given the
water question serious consideration.
ne: It IS IS sad, i prepared the specifications
believes that Of the formal bids offered
the one submitted by the Jersey city
Water Company is the only one worthy
OF consideration. He will probably re-
main in the background if the Board
the unsolved problem to the incoming
Street and Water Board. He will if per-
mitted, wash his hands of any further
connection with the problem.
The report that the Board of Finance
would reject the award spread rapidly.
Many interested persons refused to be-
to discuss the situation until after the
board had acted last night
The hour for meeting was fixed at
eight o'clock. Precisely at that hour
Commissioners Hardenbergh, Bailey, Det-
willer and Simpson were present The
clock showed it to be five minutes after
son sprang from his seat and remarked =
Il don't believe Mr.. Jones will be here
tonight, We can't do anything, and, any
way, I have an important meeting to at
tend"
Without saying another word, he dis
appeared pear from the meeting room.
sad WI mn havf to adjo9rn 5d h this meet
Hold on minute, said MI. Harden
berglh, 4 voted against holding this
sisted upon meeting being held, and
l believe We. should meet. Mr.. Jones
will be here directly
RETIRED TO CONSULT.
Mr.. Hardenbergh had heard that the
resolution of award was to be non-eon-
Cured in. and he wanted to get it out
silence was broken by Commissioner Det-
willer, who said that there were numer-
GUS reasons why a meeting should be
held. He and Messrs. Bailey and Harden
bergh retired to an ante-room and be-
hind closed doors held an earnest con-
versation for more than an hour. In the
quickly Joined his colleagues. While the
quartette of financiers was closeted, Cor
poration Counsel Blair arrived, but upon
being informed that no business was to
be transacted. retired.
Shortly after he left Commissioner Har-
denbergh made anxious inquiry for a
copy of Comptroller Hough's report for
last year He made some notes from the
that $7OO0,ooo added to s1s,oOo.Oo0 debt
now in existence would make S25, 900 :
900, he smiled significantly, and rejoined
his colleagues.
A half hour later Mr.. Bailey departed,
and a few minutes later Mr. Bailey re-
WANT TO CALL FOR NEW BIDS.
1t appears that few days after the
aWard vas MADE to the Jersey City
Commissioners, there was an understand
ing to the effect that in case the Finance
Board refused to concur, new bids
should be advertised for at once, under
more extensive and liberal specifications,
which would prevent the now informal
bidders from raising any complaint; The
Finance Commissioners consumed as
much time in considering. the problem
before giving the Street and Water Com
missicners any idea of what course. was
to be pursued that the members of the
latter board positively refused to re-
advertise, having only short time at
their disposal to receive new bids and
make an award The refusal to readver-
tise is said to be responsible for the pres
ent hitch in the Board of Finance. The
three members of the latter board who
are believed to favor making a contract
now say that. inasmueh as new bids
would not be advertised for, they pro-
pose taking plenty Of time before taking
final action on a question OF such vital
Importance to the city.
The whole situation today is changed.
and it is reported upon excellent au-
thority that the vote upon the resolu-
ton of award to the Jersey City Water
l,nrnnanv Will be 1lnanirlnllS to re iact.a