The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-06-06
EAST JERSEYS GRIP
The Water Syndicate Rapid
ly Closing in Upon
Jersey City.
OUR CUSTOMERS TAKEN AWAY
Helped by Lebbeus Ward 6 Co.
the Company Will Soon
Have the City at
Its Mercy.
OUR CUSTOMERS TAKEN AWAY

The East Jersey Water Company is
losing no time in getting its water main
across the Hackensaek meadows in or
der to supply Bayonne The company
is slowly but surely gobbling up all
this c:tys customers and it is enabled
10 do SO because the city's prospects OF
acquiring an Independent supply of pure
water do not appear to be bright.
For several months Mayor Wanser en-
deavored to defeat the company's plan
of reaching Bayonne, but the day Kearny
made a contract with the company the
fight was over and the East Jersey peo-
pie We're masters of the situation. By
contracting with Kearny, right of way
was secured which enables the company
to skirt the city's territory and reach
Bayonne.
The PIPE is being laid along the west
slope of the Morris Canal which fact
quite clearly, it IS contended by the offi-
Gals, demonstrates that the two com
panies are on friendly terms at least.
From about the foot of Com7nunipaw
avenue the pipe shoots off toward Bay
onne on a right of way acquired, it is
said, al q cost of about 80 cents a foot
The acquisition of this right of way has
caused extraordinary comment and in
some instances severe criticism. The
land was bought. it is alleged from
prominent gentlemen, who have taken
advantage of every occasion which pre-
sented itself 10 appear in the role of
reformers, particularly in relation 10 the
water problem.
The work Of laying the pipe is nearly
completed and the city has only two
chances in which TO prevent for a time
at least, the eonsummation of the East
Jerseys plan 10 gobbie Bayonne as a
customer. AT Danforth avenue the pipe
line must cross and the privilege to
cross that thorouglhfare must come from
the city. The line must again cross the
hatch avenue sewer. There are vital
points of obstruction in the work and
II the city IS not able to prevent the
crossing it may at least be able 20 gain
valuable concessions from the company
supply which may be offered. Mayor
3 WaIser is alive to the situation and
viii leave no stone unturned to gain a
point for the best interests of the city
Tfee c5ty officials say tflat the
way things are going now the East
jersey Company in a very short time win
nave not only Aearny, but Harrison,
cayenne and Hoboken for customers,
thus aeprivlng this city of any possible
chance Of deriving any revenue from
The furnishing Of a supply to Rayonne
ls under etnt4act made with a New
York syndicate. which in turn sublet
It 10 the East Jersey Company All con-
neeticns will have been made and all
arrangements for the supply of Bayonne
completed by fall.. when the company
will have ITS new pipe line from Ma
copin into Newark The two mains
ne eonpany's engineers estimate viii
5lYe then a supply sufficient to supply
Newark and its other small Gust oulars
SaVGEnRy a1an
Gueltly Harrison. With such a grip
upon the various municipalities the offi-
eials fear that it VIII be next to i'm
possible to shake the company off
The supply from the Pequannock is free
70 the use of the company until the year
1893: when the great bulk of the water is
at Newarl-s d dsposal In the meantime it
IS contended there is nothing 10 prevent
the company from extending its plant and
Keeping itself in a position to furnish all
the cities and towns hereabouts with wa
Mayor Wanser does not like to discuss
!he water problem, but he admits that it
East Jersey Company marching along by
easy degrees gobbling up all the custom-
ers which should, under ordinary circum-
stances, have been dependent upon this
city: The Mayor has commended from time
2 Time, and shown by figures that if this
clly would acquire new water and secure
the neignDorfng towns and municipalities
lHe revenue to be derived would almost
pay the interest on tae cost of the plant
aiia ana practically give the people of this
Several of the officials believe that the
CITY VIII never get new water unless If
Is suppl ed by the East Jersey Company.
some go SO far as TO charge that indiviG-
uaiS are dong their utmost by interfering
W.Th ether companies TO help the F,asf
Jersey Company fasten a plant upon the
or Monday afternoon the officials are,
golng 20 Boonton. Early Tuesday morn
l.ss uney are going to make an Inspection
q q ne plant offered bysthe Rockaway and