The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-06-21
NO EXPERT YET.
Finance Beard May Preb'
ably Retain Mr.. yers
mellle as Coasu1tiak
Engineer.
VIEWS ON THE WAFRRQlIEsg1eH
Another Conference with the Hayof
Tomorrow Street and Water
Board Undecided.
IEWS ON TIE WAfRRsQllEsgleH

Nothing definite has been arrived at vi.
relative to the engagement of an expert
| engineer to assist in the acquisition OF
new supply of water. Finance Comnis-
sioners Midlige and Simpson were at CITY
Hall early this morning. Both had a talk
with the Mayor.
Mr.. Midlige had very little to say about
water. Mr.. Simpson, however, is great
| ly interested in water and discusses the
subject whenever opportunity presents IT.
| self.
I'VE have not decided who will be the
engineer OF the Finance Board yet" he
SAID, in answer to a question this norm
ing. i do not know that favor any
particular man. but to be consistent. It
would appear to me that we should re-
engage Mr. Vermeule. When we mads
our last effort to obtain new supply Mr..
vermeule was the city's engineer. He
advised our Board as well as the Street
and Water Board. We followed Mr.. vers
Heule's advice and abided by his decis-
IONS If we were right then in going
ahead and awarding contract it certain
ly looks strange for us at this time to
discard him, engage a new engineer and
probably be asked to pursue a course that
will be in opposition to what we have
~~-~>. " Y must bO SoUSlSttlL, ana 1t aQ>
pears to me that we will have to re-er,-
gage Mr.. vermeule I do not nor can
anyone dispute his competency. For my
part see nothing for our Board to do
save retain Mr.. Vermeule as consulting
engineer. He win be able, imagine. to
steer US clear of rocky shores.
why the Street and Water Commits
sioners are even considering the engage
ment of a man who wants $4,000 for his
services cannot imagine. Mr.. Croes In
addition to being an unusually high priced
engineer, wants eight months in which to
make survey of the watersheds of the
State. To make such a survey Mr.. Croes
also wants assistants They will cost lots
OF money and what We are to gain after
1t Is all over cannot conceive. My epfn-
ion of the way this question should ba
handled is that we should advertise for
water of certain standard of purity.
state how many miles of watershed we
demand set forth homm many millions OF
gallons a plant must be capable of de-
livering daily by gravity, and leave it ep-
tlonal with bidders to use one or two
pipes. To me it seems that nothing more
is necessary and believe we will all be
better Off If we advertise for supply
on just that plan. We should not waste
time and money having long. legal speci-
assail and be sure to find flaws in no
matter how much care we exercise. Sim
phclty IN the preparation of the specif-
cations will be productive of good. When
We have received bids and come to ex-
anime plans then is the time to have two
experts &c over them and point out the
flaws which We may have eliminated be-
fore taking decisive action. We should
work harmoniously and get this question
have suppp foas we T be ass ss @
time Newark takes the East JERSEYS
peguannosk plant, and if we. have not a
yuRpty i bs " %nen ,nt tnas 2 transfer Is made we
President Boltwood, of the Street and
Water Board, is deeply interested in the
.Some people may think we are hurry
ing In this matter, but want to assure
them that to hurry Is necessary. If we
are going to bfcker over every little ques-
tion that arises we will soon find our
selves In a. position whereby we will be
unable to get a supply for the city before
the control Of the EAST jersey pes5Iu Company alu
Personally I favor the engagement Of an
engineer whose competence and disinter-
estedness cannot be disputed. Such an
engineer may cost the city considerable
money but in such matter money should
not enter into the question to an extent
that Will cause US to overlook the citys
interests in order to practice economy"
The impression seems to prevail that
Mi; Mr; ct Croes. who was first decided upon.
pensation than $780, 1t was practica1Iv
DECIDED today that no such sum as that
VIII De pdiQ " any engineer. MI. CrOe0
will be offered $50 a day and limited to
thirty days in which to prepare specffica-
tions. 1t is not believed he will accept
such terms. 81
The Street and Water Commissioners
held conference this morning but moths
ing was decided upon relative to an en-
gineer: Mr.. John H. Ward seems to- be
more In favor than he was The Com
mfssioners have received from disinterest-
ed engineers and contractors letters as
suring them of his entire competence and
ability to take charge of such an under
taking. Mr.. Ward also has many warm
supporters who are property owners IN
this city.
The Finance and Street and water
commissioners are to meet In the Mayoris 4
Offlce tomorrow afternoon. At that time
the Finance Commissioners will arlnounee
whether they have agreed upon an ensf-
neer and similar report Is looked for
from the Street and Water Comnlissfon-
ers. 1t was reported today that Messrs.
Ward and Vermeule would be the eflzi-
neers. Concerning Mr.. Ward the report
could not be verified
As soon after the selection OF enef-
neers as possible specifications will fo
prepared and bids advertised for AT
least seven weeks are to be allowed pros
pective bidders in which to prepare plans
and make the other financial arrange.
ments which will enable them to presents
a bona f1de bid. =