The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-12-09
AN INPUDENT EXPERT.
Opinion of a New York
Plumber on the Condi-
ton Of School No. 10
INSULTS JERSEY CITY BUILDER
Board of Finance Considers
Plans for Putting the Bull
ding in Shape.


The proposition to spend $1,000 in re-
pairing Public School No. Y, which was
closed because of IT'S unsanitary condi-
tion. was discussed last night by the
Finance Commissioners. Mayor Hoos,
Superintendent Snyder, President Firm
and Director Mersheimer. William Rob-
ertson builder, and j. D. Dickinson. OF
New York, a plumbing expert, who we're
employed by the Board of Education to
examine the building, were also present.
Mr. Dickinson was sarcastic and he
managed to enliven the conference. Presi-
dent Firm announced that the Board OF
Education's request for $12,0 900 was based
on Expert Diekinson's report. He said
that he had engaged Builder Robertson to
examine the school also. The report OF
Dickinson was so complete, President
Firm said. that the Board engaged
him to prepare plans for the placing of
the building in a perfect sanitary condi-
ton. The plans provide for new drains,
the abolition of closets in the yard, the
filling in of the basement and repair OF
the basement floor generally.
'sMr. Ringle," said President Firm, "ham
declared that the necessary work can be
done for $1,000. If that is the case all the
men we have consulted about the build
ing do not know what they are talking
about. We have received two bids for
the work. William Robertson wants $l1.-
700 and NJ. T. Connolly 81, ,6S1''
Expert Dickinson said he had been
called upon to make what he supposed to
be a thorough examination.
IF I thought L was expected 10 do
otherwise would not have accepted the
task said the expert. II would not low
er my reputation by suggesting anything
but thorough repairs. The building is in
such a condition now that it demands i'm
mediate improvement. The repairs
suggest are permanent, not temporary. It
is better not to do the work at all If it is
not to be done well. In my opinion it
would be wise to pay a fair sum now and
have the building in a safe condition. The
work have mapped out could be done in
twenty days by a competent man. II bids
were advertised for perhaps the eosr
would be reduced, but not enough,
think, to wars@nt the delay there viii be-
Commissioner Ringle took to the sys-
tenn of traps suggested by the expert and
declared they would not work satfsfacto tor
lily. Dickinson answered thar Mr.. Ringls
apparently favored blind drains
Il do not retorted Mr.. Ringle.
stMy plan is a good one hotly ari-
swered the expert. s'but know of no law
to compel Mr.. Ringle to approve it. Ex-
perience has taught me that the plan or
drainage recommend is the best"
Builder Robertson added fuel to the
flames by remarking that while Dickir-
sons plans were good he believed JUST
as servieeable and more economical ones
could be adopted. Mr.. Robertson favored
the building of blind drains, the filling IN
of the basement. concreting it and white-
washing the walls The cost, he saids
would not exceed 81, 500 Mr.. Robertson
endeavored to question Mr. Dickinson
about systems of drainage, but that
gentleman replied that he would only dis
cuss such subjects with professionals Ike
himself and not a man who was LOOKING
for a job. Mr.. Robertson became indig-
nant at this and said he not only did nos
want the job but that he would not taks
it.
"sWeIl, some one else is, apparently"
retorted the expert ''AIy plans have been
approved by the Board of Health, and
they are just what are required fer the
present emergency. Poor plumbing is the
most dangerous thing in the world in
school. and No. 12 is in a deploFable cons
dition If l had that school under my
care 1 would resign before would allow
children to re-enter it before the repairs
/ have mapped out had been made. 1t is
no place for child now"
Mayor Hoos called attention to the facs
that new schools are being erected for
$3e. .006 He thought 1t trifie unwise to
spend $4,000 for repairs when such is the
case.
'sIf schools only cost $4,000 they must
be common affairs interrupted the ex-
pert.
The Finance Commissioners held an
executive session with the Mayor and
Snyder and it was de-
cided to authorize the Board of Education
to hire halls for temporary use while
No. L is being repaired. Superintendent
Snyder said that at least $50 of the No. IL
scholars could be accommodated in No. 16,
but their parents object to sending them
there. The officials concluded that il
parents were unwilling to accept the ac-
provided they should not
Just what will be done with
No u was not decided. The $4,000 res
pairs will not be made.