The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-06-12

been suggester to the Mayor Mr.. Hill re-
sides in Cincinnati
II think we will be able to settle the
question Of engineers without going away
from this State or New York. said Com
missioner Nolan. Certainly if New York
does not produce honest competent engi-
neers no city will''
Mr. Simpson said it should be the duty
of the officials to decide upon a supply
which originates within the State. The
Ramapo had at one time been suggested,
Mr. Simpson said, but the objection to. it
was that the river having its origin in
New York State, this city would be un-
able to police It and preserve it from pol
luton.
At this juncture Commissioner Hauck
suggested the name of John H. Ward,
who, he said has been Identified with the
building of the water works of this city,
New York, Boston. Philadelphia and other
large cities
Mr. Ward,~ it was explained, was a
brother of the water crank, Lebbeus B.
Ward. This statement caused astonish-
ment. Mr.. Simpson shuddered. Noticing
the sensation he had created, Mr.. Hauck
hastily explained that Lebbeus and his
terms
I'm be very frank with YOU. gentle
men, said Commissioner Simpson. st do
not ike the name of Ward. If he is a
brother of Lebbeus while he may be
honest and all that. yet do not believe
his engagement would go well with the
people feel that l am speaking the
truth when l say that Lebbeus is and
has always been an obstructionist If it
mad not been for him, 1 believe, Jersey
City today would have had a bountifu
supply of pure and wholesome water and
l DO not believe it would be costing us
dollar more than such a supply is worth"
Commissioner Hauck answered that
Lebbeus would have absolutely no control
over his brother John H., because they
are not and have not been friends for a
long time.
Mr.. John H Ward may be just the
man we want said Mayor Hoos. sI
have no great fear of Lebbeus Ward. He
suggested the name of Mr.. Fteley to me.
And now that 1 think of it Mr.. Fteley
suggested the name of Rudolph Herring
as competent engineer
The impression seems to prevail" said
Commissioner Simpson, ''that Mr.. Herring
is a crank on the filtration scheme. His
true position is more fully explained.
however, in the following letter.
235 Jefferson Avenue
Brooklyn, N Y
Dear sir-Since you left the Office this
subject of our conversation, and it SEEM
ed to me that our talk on filtration.
though intended only as a hypothetical
that l had special leaning toward this
method of furnishing pure water This
IS not at all the case. 1 nave never yet
reason that 1t was always found unnec-
essary and more expensive than other
methods Of supply.
Thinking over the stated fee of s3 600
l peheve 1t is a fair figure for the amount
of work to be done and the responsibility
ity to be taken.
AS to the expenses, I am really unable
to state any figure without knowing
more about the character of the infor-
nation you have on hand You should
nave nave better idea of this than I can
way would be for the committee to nav
whatever expenses might be decided un-
on as being necessary after consultations
with your engineer from time to time
not TO exceed a total stated amount
Very truly yours
ISigneO RUDOLPH Herring.
Pres. BID of Finance of JERSEY civ
352 Washington Street N. Y
1t was finally agreed that the Mayor
should communicate with the several
engineers mentioned and arrange to wait
on them at their Offices next Tuesday.
The Mayor and as many members of the
Finance and Street and Water Commits
sioners as possible will consult with as
many engineers as will consider an offer
to serve the city.
The officials will start from City Hall
Tuesday morning at ten o'clock
If an engineer is engaged, it is a ques-
ton now undecided whether or not
his name be made known until after he
has prepared plans and snecifica tions