The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-08-04
WALKED THE PLANK
Engineer Hooker Gllil1otines
Nine Employees at Bell
Vile Water Works.
MORE DIsMIssALs TO FOLLOW
Hospital for Political Heelers at
Mercer Street 10 Be
Cleaned Ont.

The Street and Water Commissioners
this afternoon upon the recommendation
of Supervising Engineer William H Hook
er dismissed nine Republicans who have
for a year or more been drawing fat saia-
ries from the water account. The men
who were made TO walk the plank were
John FuIlem. engineer; " II. Dunlap,
fireman; G. H. Hooker w. Harrison and
T. Killeen. coal passers; C. f. Keefes driv-
er; M. Beddges, general Workman r. F.
Parkinson. assistant carpenter; Louis
Draehman, sweighmaster.
There were to have been eleven men
dismissed, but two of the men slated to
go got wind of the engineers intentions
and got their friends to work AS a con-
sequence they were saved All the dis
missals become operative August Is.
Engieer Hooker says he made such
disinissals as could safely be made with
out injuring the efficiency OF the de-
partment- In selecting the men to go
Engineer Hooker showed no favoritism.
Most of the men whose official heads
We're chopped off he, when a member
of the Board, appointed. 1t will also
be noticed that among the coal passers
dismissed is his own son. Mr. Hooker
was anxious to dismiss both his sons,
who are employed at BelleviIle, but the
Commissioners would not hear of such
course.
The reduction of the Belleyille working
force is the result of several conferences
which have been held between the Street
and Water and Finance Commissioners
lately The time is rapidly approaching
when, if the city desires 10 continue the
use of Pequannock water, as furnished
by the East Jersey Water Company it
VIII have in the nsSierftifepf1
of SAB per million gallons for It. This
increase combined with the natural ex-
penses of the water department, would
create a large deficit In the water ac-
count each year, particularly if the pres
ent working force WAS kept on This
deficit would nave TO be met by direct
the Finance Commissioners strenaously-
objected.
The Finance Board with view to en-
forcing its order to bring about a re-
partment hung uD the Bealeville and
High Service payrolls and President
BrauEgam declared from time TO time,
with considerable emphasis he would
tie them up every month unless a re-
trenchment was made. While the East
Jersey Wafer Company was furnishing
about l5.9Coe00 gallons day, President
Brown contended that the quantity was
insufficient to warrant him in reducing
the working force. lie held sweeping re-
ductions would cripple the 5depar tment
upon the supply ahe East Jersey Com
pany was able TO furnish.
The usuai friendly relations of the two
Boards were sf51sfEflr because Or the
trouble, but the Finance Commissioners
carried the day. There will be, it is said.
more reductions in day or two. The
new reductions viii not only be in tna
department Of laying and repairing
water pipes but il is sad clerical heads
in the office at Jersey avenue and Mercer
street will be Topped off. Just who is 10
go has not been decided upon as yet
but all the clerks are -becon ng uneasy.
Just as soon ss the working force mas
been well thinned out the Board proposes
adopting new schedule of water. rates
-fhich rates they belle coupled with
the reduction of expenses will enable them
~ pul Ens water department ON self
sustaining bass.
With the continuance of the Temporary
water supply the water supply will soon
cease t1 be the hospital for political heal
ers it has always been. The Water De-
rartment furnishes more political pap
shan any other branch Of the City Gov
ernment. Commissioner Harding who
has charge of all matters pertaining to
the. Water Department. says ne viii
make such reductions as the Mayor and
Finance Commissioners deem necessary.