The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-06-14
AFTER WATER THIEVES.
City Attorney Queen Direct
ed to Proceed Against
the Manufacturers.
TRYING TO HUSH THE MATTER UP
Street and Water Board
Determined That the
Guilty Shall Be
Punished.
TRYING TO HUSH THE MATTER UP

Corporation Counsel Allan L. McDer-
mott today directed City Attorney John
Wahl Queen to proceed against Saul y
Terhune, the Hudson County Bottlers'
Association and Du Bots. who, is is al
legged, defrauded the city of water rents,
both criminally and civilly.
Yesterday further discoveries were
made by the city employees who were de-
tailed to inspect the several buildings
which had so mysteriously procured sup
plies of water. In making excavations lit
tie supply pipes, which were hidden away
were unearthed, and hose, pipes and
valves were recovered. Unknown to ary
of the men implicated diagrams of the
several buildings were made showing In
just what manner the supply main OF the
Bottlers' Association building had been
tapped and how water had been conveyed
to the other buildings through pieces OF
hose.
Evidence was also found where en-
ployes OF the concerns had torn and
ripped out pipes, cut away valves, buried
cocks and had done many things to eff
face evidence of the connections. The po-
lice had anticipated such a move and had
taken diagrams of every pipe in the build
fngs and on the premises. There is not a
thing missing in the chain of evidence
against the three concerns. Chief of Po-
lice Murphy says he has a perfect case
against all three wrong doors. Mayor
Hoos was delighted when informed that
civil and criminal proceedings were to be
instituted.
These men should be made an example
Of he said. 81 had no idea usine men
would resort to such a trick. 1t was a
despicable piece of business and the pun
ishment cannot be too severe. I would not
have believed business men would have
resorted to such methods had I not been
confronted with such positive proof. The
city has been victimized and I feel that
the offenders should be well punished"
The men who are implicated in the
stealing seem TO have more or less in
fuential connections. Last night and to-
day wires were being pulled in every di-
rection to save the offenders. The homes
of the members of the Street and Water
Board were besieged, and the Commits
sioners were implored to stop at least
criminal proceedings.
81 never heard of such impudence."
said one of the members this morning.
Here are reputable business men caught
doing crooked work. They are exposed,
and proof of their guilt is most positive.
Now they come to us and ask us to shield
them. So far as I am concerned l am
glad they have been exposed, and I will
do everything in my power to see that
they are properly punished, and that they
are forced to pay the city every dollar
it has been cheated out of.
mo one need appeal to me. 1 will make
no move to save any one. Punishment
is justly deserved and it cannot be too
severe to suit me-"
The member in question echoed the sem
timents of his colleagues The fact that
the Commissioners propose having the
offenders punished was demonstrated this
morning when President Hauck sent
Clerk Bouton to Corporation Counsel Nc
Dermott's Office with all the evidence in
the case for advice. When Mr.. McDer-
mott decided to proceed civilly and GRIM
inally the Street and Water Commission
ers conferred and agreed to back up the
law officers in every move they make.
Chief of Police Murphy was
Gated with and he announced that he IS
ready to proceed at once.
AT noon today Mr.. Saul, of Saul & Ter
hume, called at Water Assessor Nc
Grath's Office and for a time protested
his innocence. Mr.. saul was the gentle
man who, before knowing just what was
going on, furnished the police officers
with samples of water taken from the
boiler of his establishment, from his
storage tank and from the sartesianD
from which he was supposed to derive
the bountiful supply he enjoyed. Tne
several samples were analysed and all
proved to he the same water as is now
ing through the city's mains.
How could / get water into our a
from the building next door?' asked Saul,
producing a diagram of his own design.
I'll show you,' replied Assessor NC
Grath. drawing forth a diagram which
had been mad by the police, showing the
point of connection, pipes and SO on. saul
was unwilling to give in yet.
Now. see here" said Mr.. McGrath,
ssthis whole thing is in the hands of the
police and Street and Water Board ]
want to advise you, however, hat your
own employees will be witnesses against
you. They know just as well as we do
that you have been using city water for
years. They showed up how you obtained
your supply. People who live in the
nefghborhood know what you have been
doing and are ready and willing to testify
against you. We have a dozen competent,
reputable citizens who viii testify against
all of you. There is nothing lacking in
the evidence against you. You know you
have been using the city's water and not
paying for it and it is folly for you to
deny IT.. I do not care to discuss this sub
5ect with you any further"
Mr.. Saul retired a badly frightend man.
Saul is the only one of the accused men
who has a the temerity to dispute the
exposures. Dubois and the members OF
the Bottlers' Association have maintained
a discreet silence. There is to be no delay
in the prosecution of the offenders.
WHO is TO BLAME3