The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-07-10
WATER DISCUSSED.
Officials Wrestling With the
Problem-New Speeifea-
tions Said to Be
Ready.

Street and Water Commissioners Hard-
ing, Kaiser, Boltwood and Heintze met
with Finance Commissioners Brautigam,
Simpson and Bailey last evening in the
Office of the Board of Finance. The Of
hcials remained behind closed doors for
more than two hours. When the confer
ence was over it was announced that
only public Improvements a been dis
cussed.
1t leaked out this morning, however,
that the water question was the prin-
cipal topic of conversation. Upon excel
lent authority it is said that the pending
proposition of the Rockaway and Hud-
SON Company to furnish the city a per-
manent supply of water is to be rejected
by the Street and Water Commissioners
at their meeting on Monday next.
Upon what grounds the bid will be
thrown out IS not known. It is reported
that the fnancial backing of the COM
pany has something to do with If. Still
another idea advanced is that by inviting
new proposals the East Jersey and Jersey
City Companies will enter the competition
and probably offer better plants than have
yet been submitted and at greatly reduced
rates.
While the permanent supply question
is engaging the attention of the officials,
they are not losing sight of the East Jer-
sey's temporary supply. 1t is expected
that the latter company will be in a posi-
ton to insure the city a full and adequate
supply by the first of October. Under ex-
5sting agreements, 1t demands SAB per mil-
lion gallons. Mayor Wanser and the other
omcials regard the price as exorbitant
inasmuch as the company is selling sur
Plus watersand water which would go to
waste If not taken by this city.
One ground the officials have taken for
2 cut in the price is that by October l the
Passaic water will be in fair condition.
and that as the winter draws on there
VIII be less necessity for the purchase of
n Pequannock.
AS the situation stands at present, the
East Jersey Company cannot give the
city more than one-half the wafer it is
consuming. Sometimes the supply falls
below that mark. As a consequence it has
been impossible to make any reduction in
the working force at Belleyille. The water
revenue is more han half eaten up now
by interest, and each year there is a de-
ficiency in the general accounts. For this
reason the Commissioners are hesitating
ABOUT contracting a new obligation which
can only be met by putting the deficiency
in the annual tax levy.
Another conference Is to be arranged
TO discuss the temporary supply question
with the Mayor and the officers of the
East Jersey Company. 1t is thought prob
able that the company will consent to sell
its surplus flow much cheaper than $43.
If it does not there will be conferences
galore until the question is settled.
Engineer c. {. VermeuIe, the expert,
who is in the city's employ, has been
about the office of the Street and Water
Board every day in the last week. He has
been in consultation with Chief Engineer
Ruggles and the law officers and has all
ready prepared, it is said, new speciica-
tons under which bids for a permanent
supply are to he asked.
Mayor Wanser says he will take no part
In the movement to acquire a permanent
supply until it comes before him officially.