The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-02-27
FOR PURE WATER.
The Board of Finance Con-
ours in a Resolution to
Invite Proposals.
JONES AND HARDEHBERGH OPPOSE
Both Favor a New Supply But
Wanted Delay and Ex-
pert Advice.
JONES AND HARDEEBERGH OPPOSE
LAWYER BLAIR EXPLAINS
When Bids Come in, Notifications
of the Plan in the City's In
terest May Be Made.


the Street and Water Board to advertise
the amended water specifications for a
period of five days for public inspection.
The resolution to advertise for proposals
under the specifications as soon as they
are approved by the Mayor, was con-
CURED in by the votes of Commissioners
Bailey, Simpson and Detwiller; President
Jones and Commissioner Hardenbergh
voting against it.
The Jersey City News" yesterday ex-
clusively foreshadowed what disposition
would be made of these two important
resolutions and how the vote would
stand.
It was whispered about the City Hall
later yesterday afternoon that President
Jones had won over Mr. Bailey to the
opposition. Some uneasiness was felt
by the advocates of pure water, who re-
allied that everything depended upon
Mr.. Bailey's vote. At seven o'clock last
night Mayor Wanser's Secretary, John
Nevin and his assistant, Eddy Morgan,
were hustling around at a lively rate
looking for Mr. Bailey. He was found
and he set several minds at ease by
declaring that he was for pure water
and in hurry to get it.
THE MEETING.
AI ndil-pdSl SSNtA " ClOSh lilC iiiSSI-
ing room of the Board of Finance was
thrown open. Commissioner Simpson was
the first to arrive. Anxious inquiries
were made concerning Mr.. Detwiller, who
did not arrive until after eight o'clock.
In the meantime President Jones and
Mr.. Hardenbergh had appeared on the
scene, and with them Mr.. Henry V.
Condict The board went into executive
session, admitting Corporation Counsel
Blair, Mr. Condict and Secretary Neyin.
Mr.. Condict introduced the water ques-
ton. He made an urgent appeal on be-
half of the gentlemen who signed the
petition which was presented to the board
last Thursday evening, asking for delay.
He pleaded with the members of the
defer al tian on the speci=-
fications and urged that it was their
duty to go down to Trenton in a body
and work in the interests of the State
Water Board bill. He asserted that II
the resolution to advertise for proposals
for new supply passed, it would ma
terially lessen the chances of the State
Water Board measure becoming law.
He said that the bill would stand
fair chance of passing if the board would
only act upon the appeals of public
spirited citizens and defer action Mr..
nation bill would interfere with the State
Water Board bill.
Corporation Counsel Blair differed with
Mr. Condict on that point, and contend
ed that the measure was good one and
that it would be beneficial to the city
in the proposed acquisition of new
supply of water. Mr.. Condict was con-
vinced on this point before he left
President Jones and Mr.. Hardenbergh
argued for delay in harmony with Mr..
Condict.
THE OPEN SESSION.
The secret session lasted a long two
hours The specifications were dissected
by Messrs. Jones and Hardenbergh and
supported by their three colleagues and
ex-Judge Blair. When the public meet
ing was held the water resolutions from
the Street and Water Board were at.
once taken up. There was no discussion
about the one authorizing the advertise
ment of the amended specifications for
public inspection and scrutiny; but when
the Committee on Concurrent Resolu-
tions reported favorably upon the sec
ond, authorizing the advertisement for
proposals, President Jones renewed his
battle for time.
1T is my opinion" said he, "that it
is our duty as custodians of the peoples
money to examine into such an i'm
portant matter as this carefully. We
should, 1 have contended and contend
now, have had the opinion of an ex
pert hydraulic engineer upon the possi-
bility and soundness of these specifica-
tons. Water specifications which involve
the expenditure of millions should be
clear and unambfguous in every detail.
The kind of pipe to be used should, for
instance. be set forth; they should show
how the dams are to be built, and also
show the manner of construction of the
reservoirs. These things should be
brought out more clearly than they are
in the documents before u.s.
Turning to Corporation Counsel Blair
he asked:-'1s it possible for bidder
to dev.ate from the specifications"
The reply was in the affirmative. Mr..
Jones at once moved to have the whole
matter laid over for one week. His mo-
tion was not seconded. Mr.. Jones argued
that he wanted more information, but
he could not get his motion seconded.
AS a last appeal he expressed the opin-
ion that in case preparations are made
to enter into contract a hydraulic
engineer should be retained to pass an
opinion upon such contract before it is
submitted to the Board of Finance for
concurrence
Little heed was taken of the suggestion
and the resolution to advertise was put
and carried.
MR.. JONES ATTITUDE.
At the conclusion Of the meeting I
asked Mr.. Jones if he favored the acqui-
sition of new supply of water.
II believe ne began, that there is no
member of the city government more
favorable to new supply than am 1.
I consider new water supply of more
Importance than any other improvement
that can be made IN jersey City. am
heartily IN favor Of it and do not wish
to be understood as opposing the maxi
ing of a contract All want is con-.
tract on Favorable terms and terms SO
guarded that the city is amply protect
ed
MR.. BLAIR EXPLAINS.
I asked Corporation Counsel Blair in
What way IT was possible for contrac-