The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-01-05
FIRST IN THE new HALL
Street and Water Board
Scores a Point on the
Other City Depart
ments.
INITIAL WRAHGLE IN THE BIG ROOM
The Belleyille Payroll AssaiIed
by Commissioners BoltW ood
and Heintze.
INITIAL WRAEGLE IN THE BIG ROOM

The Street and Water Commits
sioners sto'e march on the other
official boards today by meeting in
the new City Hall. When they
entered the new, building. they were
not r.ceived with open arms by
President Datz, of the Cisy Hall Com
mi sion. 1t was al. o whispered about
that the Mayor was somewhat dis
pleased because of the move. Sec
retary Nevin was on hand. but he
had veiy little to say. When til
Commiss lers filed into the Assembly
Chamber there were piesent only
Corporation Co ,nssI Blair, iy At
toner Weart, Secretary Nevin, Phillip
E. Nastin. Captain Smith, John
Rowe and Preside It Datz.
President Brown took his seat on the
elevated platform which affords the
presiding officer an n.unobstructea view
of the chamber. Clerk Bouton occu-
pied desk in front of the President.
The Republican members, Messrs.
Harding and Kaiser, took desks to
the right of the clerk, while the
Democrats. Messrs. Boltwood and
Heintze, stuck together and took
possession of desks tosthe left,
1t was twenty minutes before eleven
o'clock when the President called the
meeting to order. 1t was Commits
sioner Harding's privilege to make the
first motion in the new chamber. It
was to the effect that the minutes
stand approved as printed. His mo-
ton prevailed.
For a time harmony prevailed and
then there was a rupture. As con-
sequence the initial official wrangle
also took place this morning. It was
caused by the presentation for pay
lnent of payrolls and claims aggregat-
ing 81, 1877. all chargeable TO the Belle
vile and High Service pumping sta
tions
There is no question in my mind. !"
said Commissioner Boltwood, sbut
that these claims are legitimate; but
inasmuch as we are getting an ade-
quate supply OF water from the East
Jersey Water Company / do not see.
the necessity of keeping a full force
of men at Belleville and High Ser
vice. 1t is practically waste of
money. and at the same time we keep
on sending high priced supplies there.
We nave to pay for the water we are
getting. and to offset that expense we
should get rid of our working force,
and not keep right on incnrring ex-
pense when there is absolutely no oc-
casion for it, don't know what will
happen if we do not retrench. cam
not conscientiously vote for these
claims
Commissioners Heintze expressed
himself in an equally forcible manner.
He said the Republican majority
should endeavor to reduce the city's
expenses, not increase. them.
On behalf Of his colleagues Mr.
Kaiser said the workmen were kept
at Bellevil.c and High Service in order
to prevent water famine in the event
of anything happening the East
Jerseys plant.
President Brown explained that the
supplies which were being paid for
had been used last September. The
claims went through BY vote of
to O.
Mary Hatfield. a cleaner at the
Jersey avenue Office was dismissed.
She is to be reappointed by the City
Hall Commissioners. Edward Kilieen, !.
a Iaborer at Belleville resigned. Alex.
McGrath was awarded q contract TO
improve Hoad'oy avenue ana Henry
Byrne contract to improve Jones
street.. The board meets again FRI
day morning