The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-01-15
Special Committee of the
Board of Trade Again Be-
fore Mayor Wanser
About the Water
Contract.
RAFTER's CRITICISMS PRESENTED
Engineer Vermeula Defends Him.
self-Aifother Conference win
Be Held Next Week.

yesterday afternoon Mayor Wanser re-
celVed visit from the special commit
Tee OF the Board of Trade in relation to
the water contract with the East Jersey
water Company. Messrs. A. J. Corcoran,
John j. Cone, F. o. Cole, J. A Dear and
LIT. L. j. Gordon, who composed the dep
utation, had with them Engineer Raf-
ter's report, criticizing the award, the
specifications and everything pertaining
to the contract. The substance of this
review by the expert has already appear
ed IN The News In a word, it MAIN
talns that the specifications are so con-
Trajectory, indefinite and incomplete as to
render rational bidding impossible
When the committee filed into the
room they found, besides the Mayor, his
secretary, j. j. Nevin, and Engineer c.
c. Vermeule. who had in front of his
porteRtous looking pile Of sheets of
paper containing figures and data rela-
tive to watersheds, rainfall, drainage
area and other matters pertaining to the
water question. Before the proceedings
commenced the newspaper men were pe-
litely informed that the hearing was to
be private, and they at once left the
ROOM The door was closed and the hum
OF a voice told those outside in the main
office that Somebody was a-going it,
Mr.. Frank o. Cole, addressing himself
to the Mayor, said that the Board of
Trade had just received Mr.. Rafter's re-
port, and he and his colleagues, in view
OF what it contained, asked permission
to read it,.
60 on, sir ,said the Mayor, settling
himself in his chair. Mr.. Coless sonor-
Gus voice could be. heard in the room
outside reading the 10000 words docu.
ment. When he finished an informal dis
cussion then took place, and it is said that
Mr. A J. Corcoran ran verbal joust
with Secretary Nevin, and the odds were
on the secretary.
All this time Engineer vermeule had
been sitting quietly digesting the criti-
cisn1s of Mr.. Rafter on the specifications
and when an opportunity presented itself
Mr.. Vermeule, metaphorically speaking,
took off his coat. rolled up his shirt
sleeves sic. IS. and started in to wipe up the floor
with Mr.. Rafter. Those who heard Mr..
Vermeule say he acquitted himself of his
task in royal style. O
He first defended the form of the speci44
ncations and declared that the clausess
relating to the number of conduits to be
furnished were not only complete and
definite, but simple. and intelligent bid
e.oAo AdO III ult1lCIllS whatever III ufl-
derstanding them. Further, Mr. Yer
meule said that the clauses of the con-
duit specification relating to design, ma
terial. workmanship and strength are in
line with current up to date and fin de
steele engineering practice whatever Mr..
Rafter says to the contrary.
Mr.. Vermeule went carefully over every
attack made by the Board Of Trade re-
port and demonstrated by figures and
facts that the city's interest had been
considered and kept in prominent view
at every step; in every clause. Then Mr..
Dear and DR.. Gordon and Mr.. John J.
Cone had something to say, but their re-
marks were very temperate and through
out there was very good feeling exhibited
AT the termination of an hour the door
opened and Secretary Nevin appeared
and was Instantly held up by the report
ers.
What was done?' he was asked.
The committee. met with the Mayor,
and after presenting the original report
it was concluded that 1t was wiser to
leave the report with the Mayor and his
engineer, that they might examine it at
their leisure. The Mayor expressed his
wish to have a conference with the COM
niittee at a date to be named by the
Mayor and the Mayor thanked the COM
mittee for their kindness in advising with
him." was the reply.