The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-06-25
WHAT The CITY COSTS.
Board of Finance Listens
to the Wants Of the
Various Depart
Inents.
Mr.. BRAUTIGAM SPEAKS OF
Tells Street and Water Commits
sioners They Want Too Much
= 100000 More Than
Last Year Asked.
Mr.. BRAUTIGAM SPEAKS OF


estimates Of the various branches of the
city government. The estimates collec-
lively show an increase of $So0.000 over
the sum allowed last year. Allowing for
natural growth and attend increased
expenditures the Finance Commissioners
contend they win have to shave all allow
a1lces in order to keep the tax rate down
to where it should he. Last night the
Police, Street and Water and Fire Boards
Were heard.
President Abernethy, Commissioner
West and Chief Murphy appeared for the
Police Board. The Boards estimate shows
en- increase of sl1.O25.s5 over last years
allowance. President Abernethy ex-
planned the increase in this way. Five
new. policemen are required in order to
secure the proper patrolling of the out
lying preci,icts of the city. Four of the
seven station houses have to be wired in
order TO have electric light. which have
proven cheaper than gas. Another small
item is the proposed increase of the
salary of the Clerk from $1,000 to 81 800
a year Colonel Robinson is the poorest
paid cleric in the employ of the city. For
three years he mas endeavored to secure
a raise. The proposed increase of $500 a
year is merely to compensate him for his
s services as clerk to the Board or Health
for which no allowance Is made him.
The Commissioners also want to adopt
the Bertillon system of Identifying Grim
inals, which was approved at the council
of Chiefs of Police last year. Most large
cities have adopted the system, which has
proven great assistance to police de-
partments generally. One feature of the
system is that the expense of sending Off
GERS to distant points to identify prison.
ers would be cbviated By the Bertillon
system every prisoners description is
taken. President Abernethy explained
that the claims account had been re-
duced. He said that 100000 would be re-
quired for coal as against $4,000 last year.
He explained that the City Hospital is
more economically conducted than any
Institution of its kind in the State. Ap-
plication was also made for small all
lowanee for bicycles. The constant use
Of the department machines makes it i'm
possfhle for them to last more than two
years pc argued. Chief Murphy made an
argentlappeal for the Bertillon system
The FIFE Commissioners were next
heard. The Board was represented by
President Mills and Commissioner Bren-
nan. Mills urged the Board to set aside
sufficient money for a new fire engine
He said it frequently happens that the
department requires the service of az, ex-
ira engine. He also made a strong appeal
for money with which to purchase hose
President Mills advised the Commissioners
that it would be well for the city to dis
pose of its old engines and purchase mod.
ern apparatus.
Commissioner Brennan advocated the
purchase of a new engine, not to cost
more than $4,000. 1t would have been pos
sible a year ago, he said, to get an en-
gine for $500. Since that time the manu-
facturers have formed combination and
boosted prices. The Fire Commissioners
with the Police Boards Representatives
retired without being promised anything
The Street and Water Board, the most
luxurious branch of the government, was
heard next. All the members save Com
missioner Brown were present Clerk
Bouton was with them. Mr.. Bouton pre-
sented the following
DETAILED DATA OF NECESSITIES
OF MATTERS AND THINGS UNDER
sspKTEpL sqRTEp ASP SE THE WATr,H RoARD da2u9a7 9F
SIoNERs. FISCAL YEAR 18s7-ss.
Allowed
Asked Current
for. year.
Cleaning streets y :. $4,000 $4,000
pdge.-- ....-- .-..-.-.-..-. $4,000
Believing that the sentiment Of our resi-
dents is largely in favor Of cleaner streets
our estimate comprehends a reasonable en-
largement in the scope Of present specifications.
Even the amount requested will not permit of
he utr Txofr. 1rrr.< $50
York City, but we expect, II the full amount
is allowed us. TO have a cleaner city than
exists elsewhere in the states
Cleaning sewers and basins
Qneiudins salaries) .-.,... 1900 12,750
Sewer Inspector. 81, 200, Sewer Foreman. $500
payroll. Il bottom men. top men, ss1o25 per
month; ss.04s; 8 sewer trucks, SO per day
each, average "a days per month, months,
,Sss; supplies and incidentals, sSeg.
Public grounds and build
1ngs;. ,.,..-.,s-.-- 1890 1900
Payroll. 2 men in each Of Parks. / man in
Washington Park-s men at $50 per month
each. $500; 1 gardener at ST. 900 per annum
supplies sl.50o; miscellaneous, $1,000.
Ogden avenue site 7,5CO
400 fsscs q retaining wan at $: balance ne
aarhsld Venue sites.,... 10000
Our estlmate cornprehenas that it will re-
ouire about $4,000 TO siinprove both sites. We
have ayaiiable about $4,000.
Prin1asg and 81 tionery 1900
same Is current year Our manuals alone
cost y { ss.ss
Repairt - Gnpaved streets
and Maintenance Of ma
cadan streets 10000 5000
Payroll, months at 1920, sls7so; scraper 20
days per month at s12 per day. FOR months.
per day each, for months, s2,520 supplies,
stone, repairs, ETC., $500
Salaries $l5, 220 SO, ,220
Five Commissioners at 81 0oo $10,o0oi clerk,
50, 900: Assistant to Clerk $1,500; Stenographe1
$40 Same as current year n
/ xReeonstruction of sewers,
general fund 4, 900 600
sreauire immediate attention. After every
heavy storm necessities are brought to our
notice, and the amount asked for Is only an
estimate Of what will be required to attend
- such cases. # general reconstruction were