The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-05-20
FOR SCHOOL SITES.
Board of Finance Purchase
Several Tracts of Land .
for $50. 900.
MAYOR HOGS MUST APPROVE
Going Slow in the Matter o.
Employing Allan McDermott
as Special Counsel.

The Board of Finance met last night
and took advantage of a resolution which
was signed by ex-Mayor Wanser just be-
fore he went out of office. authorizing
the issue of $500, 900 of bonds, proceeds to
be devoted to acquiring school sites.
Upon the recommendation of James
Young, who is associated with the Real
Estate Trusts Company. the following
sites were purchased:-From the Real
Estate Trusts Company, a site on the
west side of Storm avenue, which extends
through to Paramount avenue, for SIS, 600;
from the Real Estate Trusts Company,
a site on the northwest corner of Hudson
Boulevard and Graham street, for $780,
900; from the Real Estate Trusts Com
pany, a site on the northeast corner of
Johnston and Manning avenues, for
$500; from Emil Steger, a site on the
west side of Palisade avenue. running
through from Prospect street to Reser-
voir avenue, for SIG, 500. Warrants for
the property purchased are not to be de-
livered until title has been passed to the
city.
The resolutions of purchase before be-
coming operative m be submitted to
Mayor Hoos n approved by him. His
Honor favors the erection of a sufficient
number of schools to accommodate all
the children in the city.
When he was in the Board of Educa-
ton. however, he was in the minority
and consequently had no voice in the
Since he has been Mayor he has not
had time to look over the ground the
Finance Commissioners have purchased.
III ic onvInyrC % ~ <Iak l., G-c1
ton is taken and as a consequence the
resolutions Of purchase may be hung up
for a while or may possibly be returned
to the Finance Board, with the request
that action be postponed until he has
had time to look at the sites and con-
suit with the members of the Board of
Education and ascertain If the proposed
locations are in every way satisfactory.
The Mayor, too, Is somewhat opposed to
approving an expenditure of $500, 900 for
any purpose until he has ascertained just
what the city's financial condition is.
The Mayor may communicate with the
Finance Board on the school site question
in a day or two. The sites purchased
eat up $50. 300 of the $500, 600 appropriation
leaving in the ~neighborhood of $3.50, 900 for
the erection of buildings. 1t is under
stood that it was originally contemplated
to erect six schoolhouses. His Honor
would like to erect six buildings if such
a thing is practicable with $500, 900.
Commissioners Midhge, Bailey and
Simpson, the committee appointed to wait
on the Mayor and consult with him on
the subject of engaging Allan L. Nc
Dermott as special ounsel to defend
the Mayor n city in quo warranto pro-
ceedings Instituted by ex-Mayor Wanser,
reported progress.
The members of the Board of Finance
want to see the legal battle fought fair
ly. n are opposed, 1t is said, to doing
anything which might be construed as
meaning that they intend opposing the
Mayor. The members say that if there
is any Law. which will permit them to en-
gage Mr.. McDermott they will do so at
once.
In reporting progress the committee
also reported that another conference
had next week. The Board is to meet
again next Wednesday evening and de-
Unite action may be taken at that time.
Corporation Counsel Blair advised the
Board that the Aldermen had no author
ity to increase the pay of the City Clerk
and City Marshal in the middle of a
been appropriated on the basis Of the
old salaries. and that to exceed the APP
preparation would be criminal. The reso-
luton of the Aldermen requesting that
provision be made for the increase. was
referred to the Committee on Concurrent
Res9lutions; h official bond Of Com
Kelly was paid a Judgment Of s2l4. 80 for
services as street inspector in 1890.
At the last meeting the taxes on the
beth in Erie street were Cancelled. Last
night that action was rescinded. it hav-
ing been ascertained that the House is
now being rented. Counsellor Gilmore,
ton declaring tina the building was
only rented temporarily to acquire funds
with which to erect a new. building.
of chairman of the Committee on Con-
current Resolutions, suggested tina a
committee of three be appointed to ascer-
tain how much longer Charles Both. the
expert accountant, who Is revising the
records of the water department for the
last ten years, proposes working. Both
draws $50 q day and he has two assistants
at so and s. a day respectively. Both
has been at work, or rather has been
drawing $40 a day. since last December.
Mayor Hoos inquired a few days age
II Both propose making a life job of his
appointment.
When Both was originally appointed ii
vas with the understanding, the Finance
commissioners maintain. that he was I'd
be paid $40 a day and out of that he was
to pay any assistants H. night REQUIRE.
After Both had worked q month and ac-
AOtAi1l6t 50 ldT DIS COQlQ be
learned. the Finance Commissioners gave
him a shaking up and demanded to be in
formed when he expected to finish his
work. His answer was an evasive one
he also asked for two assistants,
representing that with them he would be
able to get through in one-third the time
if compelled to work alone.
After considerable grumbling the five
assistants were allowed and even now
after the lapse of two months, no one
has the slightest idea when Both will
finish the revision which has already cost
in the neighborhood of $4,000.
Commissioners Simpson, Kellers and
Midlige. were appointed a committed to
wait on Both n find out, If possible. if
he believes he will ever get through,
There is q very great likelihood that
Both and his two assistants will be I'M
tremendously bounced in a short while.
Both has never made any detailed state.
nent Of What work he has done for the
money he has been paid.
THIRDS HUsTLING DEMOCRATS
1t is certainly surprising how well the