The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-11-20
Mayor HooS Defles the Sugar
House People to Close
Up the Jersey City
Refinery.
ONE WATER RATE FOR ALL
His Honor Explains His Various
Positions Tessrs. Mathiessen
and Edwards Out Of
Town.
Town..

Mr.. George T. Bouton, clerk of the
Street ana Water Board walked into the
Mayor Hoos' Office this morning with
ponderous book, bound in white canvas,
under his arm. On the last page with
writing on it, was the famous s'rescinder'
OF the Street and Water Board, which
caused such circus two days ago be-
tween His. Honor and Mr. W. D. Edwards
over the water tax rate of the American
Sugar Refining Company's property on
Washington street near the Gap
Placing the book on the table before
the Mayor Mr. Bouton said in dry
official way:-"This is q resolution for
your Honor to sign which was passed at
Thursdays meeting of the Board Of Water
Commissioners"
please leave 1t, Mr.. Bouton,' replied
the Mayor, and the clerk of the Board of
Street and Water Commissioners left the
room humming a popular air which posi-
lively declares that all coons are equally
regarded by the singer.
Mayor Hoos opened the book, chewed
his pen. looked out of the window, up at
the ceiling reflected few minutes, called
in Mr. Bouton again, walked over to see
Mr. Heintze and then with heroic
flourish of the pen signed the ''rescinder,
and thus put up the rate of the Sugar
House Company to 500 per 600 cubic
feet The resolution book was then taken
back to Mr.. Bouton and so far as the
Street and Water Board is concerned the
matter is at an end.
Turning to the newspaper men in the
ante-chamber the Mayor said
II have signed that resembling resolution
of the Board of Works because 1 felt to
uphold the previous resolution would do a
great injury to the city. When the con-
ference as to the terms of the resolution
reducing the rate was held, 1 did not
understand its far-reaching effect. After
1 signed it, it suddenly occurred to me
that Jersey City would be injured and a
wrong precedent established. do not
see why there should be any discrimina-
ton in favor of any consumer of the
city's water They should ali stand on
the same footing and pay the same rate.
This principle has therefore actuated me
in signing the resolution resembling the
former resolution sanctioning the de-
crease. There was an evident mistake all
around.
ST was under the impression" continued
His Honor to a News reporter. that
the Sugar House people were the largest
consumers of water in Jersey City, and,
when they represented that il no reduc-
tion was made to their old figure they
would leave the city, of course that view
of the case Influenced me in agreeing to
let the Sugar House people be at their
old rate; but when I found out that they
were not the largest consumers-the Penn
sylvania Railroad takes more-that
altered the complexion of the case very
materially and of course could not see
my way clear to favor the Sugar House
and keep larger consumers at a higher
rate
What will you recommend respecting
the $4,000 paid in by the Sugar House
people on the understanding that their
rate would be reduced? asked 'sThe
News reporter.
'I cantN say anything about that at
present." replied the Mayor
1t ought to be returned ought it not?"
persisted the reporter.
Il can't say what l will do said the
Mayor.
AS for the Sugar House Company, they
will insist, since the agreement has not
been carried out, that their money shall
be returned. One of the representatives
Of the company commenting on the mat
ter, yesterday, said
All right, if the city won't swap horses
they will please return our horse. They
can't refuse to swap and keep our horse
That would indeed be a bunco game which
our people won't for an instant tolerate.
Mr. Mathtessen, president of tne Sugar
House corporation, was out of town to-
day and his views therefore could not be
ascertained. Mr.: Henry e. Niese was also
out of town, and Mr.. w D. Edwards was
at New Haven at the Yale-P Princeton foot
ball game and consequently was not
aware of Mayor Hoos action.