The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-01-29
MR. RINGLB'S WISDOM.
He Induces the Aldermen to
Prohibit Frame Rookeries
on Leading Streets.

Jacob R1ngle, the hardware dealer adj
dressed the Aldermen last evening on
the subject of permitting the erection of
frame buildings of any description in the
city, and particularly the business sec
ton. MI. Ringle not only spoke as a
business man but as the owner of New
ark avenue property. 1t was the more
interesting because he was the owner
of two of the old frame rookeries which
were destroyed in the Newark avenue
blaze about ten days ago.
This Board,' he said, should take
some decisive step against the erection
of frame buildings in the city. Action
should lave been taken years ago. 1t
is a crying shame to allow our main
thoroughfares to be defaced by a. lot
of old rookeries which should have been
condemned. They not only mar the
beauty of the streets, but decrease the
value of adjoining property. If any of
the old rookeries on our streets happen
to be destroyed or damaged, they are
either patched up or we see other frame
structures put in their places.
II owned some of the property on
Newark avenue which was recently de-
stroyed by fire. 1 am willing to erect
there a good building, but l want some
guarantee that a modern shanty will
not be put up alongside, which would
detract from the appearance and value
of my building.
In no other city of our size is the
erection of such buildings allowed, and
1t is time the authorities here set their
foot down against it, before business is
draw further away than it has been by
the advantages given in other places.
We have no large stores here as in
other cities, and consequently business
is driven away. If had my say no
frame building would be erected within
be allowed, but in the business centres
they should not be permitted.
II do not want to tread on any. poor
people to prevent them from getting a
nome, but the people who own the prop
erty- on our thoroughfares are not poor
The owners of the property adjoining
up a marble building if they desire. 1
would like to see the power taken from
the Mayor and Aldermen to allow the
of frame buildings.
eff the business men OF this city could
only retain 10 per cent: of the business
that goes to New York they would be
satisfied, but they cannot do it now.
II would like TO erect a row of build
irgs on Newark avenue that would be a
credit to the city. On the night of the
fire, a merchant said he would take the
buildings, but the uncertainty OF. hav-
ing frame structures erected beside me
deters me. Under the present ordinance
mere payment of a fine of SO, and that
is all We hear of it..
Il ask you. gentlemen, to consider this
matter carefully and thoroughly and /
feel sure you will arrive at a conclusion
that will be to$ the city's interests. If
property owners find that he'd will not
be tolerated, they will erect good build
Alderman calnon said he agreed with
Mr.. Ringle so Tar as the business streets
not favor an ordinance that would be
So sweeping as to prohibit poor people
from building homes according to their
III Aldermen took action at once.
The ordinance passed at the last meet
Ing restricting the erection of frame
the fire limits was rescinded by a unans-
nous vote. 1t was then presented again
with an amendment which prohibits the
nit for a frame structure Of any char
acter within the fire limits until the
applicant for a permit shall have first
Aldermen by resolution, which resolution
is subject to the approval of the Mayor.
The ordinance as amended was passed
Several of the Aldermen after the
meeting said they opose preventing the
erection of any frame structures on the
want to build houses on side Streets.
Assembiyman Hoos.. whose store on
recent fire. has introduced a Bill IN he
Legislature prohibiting the erection of
frame buildings within the city.
The Newark avenue fire is responsible
for all the agitation and real estate deal
ers are happy. in the belief that there
is coming a new era in building. They
Of business will spring from the ruins
of the old Newark avenue rookeries.