The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-08-09
The "Journaps, Change of Position
on the Water Question.

We sincerely congratulate the Joufidi
on the modification of its position in its
water articles on "Wednesday and yester-
day.
Nobody can deny that the journal
is a powerful agency in this city. When
1t makes a mistake on a matter OF pubic
policy. the whole city suffers. Therefore
it is painful to see it misled by a shall
low and superficial piece of humbug
upon a matter of such vital Importance
as the making of a water contract for
Jersey City.
the faith which it originally pinned to
Expert Kent is now very apparent.
1t is no longer> cocksure that the city
authorities should make the award abb
solutely on the strength of his report.
It's new attitude is. that that document
raises so serious a question that the
Street and Water Commissioners, as nom
professional men. would hardly be just
lied in flying in the face of the conclu-
sions which Expert Kent reaches.
This is, of course. the Journals" way
of making a graceful retreat. But we are
not inclined to east any aspersions on
1t. on that account. We are glad to see
it come around to a more sensible posi-
ton on any terms: the only thing which
would be ground for censure in the
premises would be an obstinate, blind
sticking to ideas obviously inconsistent
with the public good. s
The change of front on the part of
Wednesday. in the following editorial
-utterances:-
If the Board of Street and Water Com
missioners do not feel themselves able
f io IS ae eertai5 the tbs efn tbs neople Of Of M This ke eIty
knowledge and engineering skill. expert
justify them in rejecting NJ: kents
once, to confer with the Board of FL
selection of some competent, dislnter-
ested engineer. whom they will con-
stituta their of1seas adviser. To an.
report OF Mr.. Kent. not being official,
may be Justly d~isregarded BY the Board.
tina their truthfulness and justice must
s es re Sa1e be eS sy sfate ONE the f Bosra "
Street and Water Commissioners are
not competent of themselves to dispute.
lily pay for the best expert advice that
this country can provide. If the Board
of Works are anxious not only to do
what is right, but to demonstrate this
to the people of the city, they will Sc
cure this authoritative and disinterested
sxper con5 9sasne taat in the the e. matte r. We we
Board would, arrive at the same con-
illusions as does MI. Kent sHoULD
HIM. We sHoTLD HAVE No Word
OF CRITICISM ON THE MOTIVES
AND GOOD FAITH OF THE BOARD
This editorial lead was followed up,
yesterday. in the news columns of the
paper. by the following significant ex-
preseions:-
The Commissioners may be unwilling
to accept the report made by the expert
retained by the journal" If not, then
they should secure an expert of their
known and Of as good reputee as Mr..
Kent, and should give him copies of the
bids and let him make a comparative ex-
aect an engineer who is directly or indir-
ect1y affiliated with either of the bidders.
2 It will enhance the value Of his re-
lished.
Board and the Board of Finance should
Jointly select an expert. or if this could
not be done. then each Board should get
separately and make reports showing
which bid will be the most advantageous
to the city. One of these Boards must
concur In it before the Mayor can act
upon the contract. The Boards should
consult 81 the bids and get expert aid
sensible. business-hke proposition. IT
this plan is pursued the of1cials will
leave no room for criticism.
Now. we do not agree with the "Jour-
nal even yet. though we are pleased
to see it come even so far toward a
rational treatment of the subject. We
sse opposed to the expert idea alto
eether. Not. indeed. with any reference
to the result. for 1.-THE News" does not
care a bean blossom whom it might IA
vor, so long as the public got the best
water supply. but on account of the
needless outlay of money Ind times
pecially time. 1t is already well on in
the year. and if any work is to be done
in 1895. it must begin very soon. Decem-
Der ! is about the last day when open
air work can be carried on, unless, per
haps. in the way of clearing timber from
the reservoir sites. If prompt action
were taken by the city. the winning com.
pany would no doubt give out its pipe
contracts at once: surveying w-lld be
gin. n necessary legal proceedings
would be inaugurated. Before the fros'
closes up the country for three or foul
months. a very appreciable commence
ment Of the great enterprise might b
made. g. @
on the other hand. any proper exper
examination means from two weeks to |
months delay. for It Is to be presumed
the opinion would moi be rendered IN sha