The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-05-14
WATER BUBBLES Up
The New Administration
Turning It's Eyes to
the Splendid Rocka-
way Valley.
vERMEULE GIVING ADVICE.
Earnest Desire to Solve the
Problem Enforced by the
Urging Of Citizens.
PRESIDENT HOLLYWOOD ACTIVE
Street and Water Board Employees
Kept Busy-More Republicans
to Fight.
PRESIDENT HOLLYWOOD ACTIVE

Mayor Hoos was kept busy today get
ting public business which had been left
behind by the previous administration
out of the way. His secretary is working
day and night so that the Mayors time
will be free at certain hours of the day to
receive visitors.
One of the first callers this morning was
Cornelius C. vermeule. the water expert,
6Ae was engaged by the Wanser admin
assration to assist in the preparation OF
plans and specifications Mr.. Vermeule
is engaged by the month. He has not
been dismissed as yet, for the reason that
the Mayor thinks he will be of service in
getting the water problem under way in
a proper manner. Mr.. Vermeule has in
formed the Mayor that he only holds Of
fee at the pleasure of the Street and
Water Commissioners. When those
gentlemen see fit to retire him he says
he will not resist. Daily, men interested
in the acquisition of a new water supply
wait on the Mayor and advance all kinds
of theories. His Honor is pleased to hear
them, but he fears he will become con-
fused. he says, not being as familiar as
he would wish with the subject. unless
he had some competent man near him to
advise him.
Next week, Thursday evening perhaps,
the Mayor will meet with the Street and
Water and Finance Commissioners and
discuss the water subject. 1t is expected
that just as much harmony will prevail
among the officials with Mayor Hoos at
the head of the movement as there did
with Mayor Wanser.
Every gentleman in the Board of FL
nance fayors a new supply of water and
will vote for it. if what they consider
~sasonable proposition is made
THE Rockaway Valley is regarded as the
ssst source of supply the city can get,
and It is not improbable that companies
being able to deliver water from that
locality will stand a better chance than
others.
With the exception of Mayor Hoos and
Street and Water Commissioners Hauck
and Nolan and Finance Commissioner
Midlige, all the officials have inspected
he Rockaway watershed and are de-
Lighted with it.
Expert vermeule, too, insists that the
Rockaway Valley offers the most bounti-
full supply of pure water of any in the
State
Every officials who will have to act
upon a water contract is opposed to the
continuance of supply of Passaic. no
matter lere gathered
The lpression prevails already that
the new administration will look no fur
tfer than the Rockaway Valley for an
Independent supply for this city.
The suggestion of the Rev. J. G. Luhrs
to adopt a system of artesian wells is not
regarded as feasible. James Ellington,
contractor. likes the artesian well prop
osition. but experts maintain that such
supply would not be certain enough for
a city the size of this one.
Mayor Hoos wisely says he will not
eonnmit himself to any project until he
mas gone over the ground carefully and
familiarized himself with all the details
of a water plant, rainfall, watersheds,
and so on.
Lebbeus B. Ward communicates with
the Mayor frequently on the water sub
ject.
The news that Lamp Inspector John
Davidson had won the first round in his
fight for retention in office caused re-
ioicing among the Republicans at City
Hall At noon today Robert Martin. the
veteran who was removed and Eph.
Rogers, general clerks, who claim they
should he continued in Office until June
/ at least, sent the following letter to
the Mayor and Street and Water Com
nissioners:-
I'VE herewith protest against our re
moval as general clerks in the Water
Department, claiming that our appoint
ment was as monthly men and payable
as such. We will hold this liable fol
the full salary Of the month of May
Martin and Rogers report for duty
every day at nine o'clock. They have
retained counsel and will institute pro
ceedings June l. Their successors are
Thomas Jordan and Frank McCarron
The latter have been notified that 4
Rogers and Martin recover their saiarie
for May they need expect no pay
President Boltwood made another in
spection of the several departments toda,
and gave some of the old clerks liyel,
shaking up.
II find" said he that some of tn
employees are inclined to shirk their work
That is something will not tolerate
have also found that the old Board re
cesved communications from propert.
ouners and pigeon-holed them withou
paving the slightest attention to them.
nave instructed the clerk to turn al
letters over to me. ] will then refe
them to the chairman of the commlttee
having such matters in charge with In
structions that he give immediate at
tention to the complaints or requests,
,ubatever they may be. I propose show
the people that the members of this Boar
will show them attention and do every
thing IN their power to remove cause
for objection and complaint
Property owners have been ignored to-
long. with the limited means at Gus dis
nosal we will endeavor to make every I'm
proyement we are appealed to for.
All the Commissioners are following
President Boltwood's course with the re
sult that satisfactory work is being don
ali along the line.
Finance Commissioner Simpson had
long talk with Commissioner Heintze TIM
1ornins concerning the condition OF Gar