The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-11-21
WATER CONSUL TAT|ON.
Mayor and Commissioners
Discuss The Flynn
Proposition.

The water problem was discussed Saturs
day afternoon by the city officials Mayor
Hoos the Street and Water Commissions
ers ana all the Finance Commissioners
were present except Mr.. Simpson. He was
prevented from attending by previous
business engagement Engineer Connolly
and Counsellor William D. Edwards rep
resented the interests of the Brooklyn
bidder P. II. Flynn. The plant most
favored by the officials is the one for
which the bidder asks s7.5s5,0oo. The plant
is capable of delivering upon completion
a daily supply of 100000 gallons. The
territory or drainage area offered is in
disputably sufficient to furnish the city
every day in the year supply Of at least
7O00o,oeo gallons. and with numerous
storage reservoirs the supply could readily
be increased to 100,0O0,000 gallons day
should occasion ever require
Finance Commissioner Ringle thinks
s7,5s5,OOO is a big lump to pay for plant
no matter what Its capacity might be. It
is optional with the city to acquire the
plant upon completion for s7,5s5,0 Mr..
Ringle wanted to know what the plant
would cost should its acquisition by the
city be deferred for five years after COM
pletion. 1t is set forth in the Flynn
proposition that it viii cost the city $780,
600 additional if five years are allowed to
elapse between the completion of the
plant and its acquisition. Both Engineer
Connolly and Counsellor Edwards ex-
planned that the Flynn bid was made en-
tirely in accordance with the specfica-
tons. Mr.. Ringle contended that it would
not be fair to ask the city to acquire the
plant Immediately upon completion. He
said that the city should have oppor-
tunity to ascertain that the plant was
just what it was represented it would be
and that it would be capable of delivering
every gallon of water the builders main
tanned it would. Holding that view, he
argued that the Flynn combination should
not tack on 100000 to the cost price until
after the plant had been tested for five
years or perhaps little shorter period.
Engineer Connolly and Counsellor Ed
wards would not consent to drop the
100000 declaring that if they did they
would be altering their proposition pos
sibly to their own benefit, but certainly
to the prejudice of any individual or cor
poration which might have a. proposition
to make to the city. Mr.. Edwards also
said that to change the Flynn proposition
at this time might. in the event OF an
award being contested, result in the court
throwing such award out. Mr.. Ringle was
not satisfied. however He wants 10 save
the city that 100000, and he says he will
make red hot fight for it. Corporation
Counsel McDermett was not at the con-
ference and Mr.. Ringle requested that
nothing definite could be done in the
premises until the Corporation Counsel
had beene consulted and his views on the
subject learned. There is no question in
the minds of any of the city officials as
to the financial ability of Mr. Flynn to
carry out his contract. Neither is there
any doubt but what the quantity of water
required is available and there is little
or no question as to its purity The con-
struction of the plant is satisfactory in
every particular.
Commissioner Charles Boltwood ques-
toned Engineer Connolly on the subject
of pollution. The source of supply offered
by Flynn is practically free from pollu-
ton. All the little streams in the north
ern part of the State are subjected to
pollution more or less, but those Flynn
offers are freer than the others. Such
contamination as exists at present can
be remedted. Engineer Connolly maintains.
9y VnS cOAstIectIVH u 4AlS4SSpitu5 SSnSA9.
The proposed sewers are TO be so con-
structed that all contamination viii be
carried far below all the intake points
and beyond the storage reservoirs
The city officials are satisfied that the
Flynn plans will insure the protection of
the sources of supply from contamination.
It is also believed by the officials that
Flynn will be able to construct his plant
within the time specified, as he has taken
care to keep quite free from the water
rights of the Morris Canal Company and
East Jersey Water Company. There is
is very likely that something definite will
be agreed upon. If a conclusion is arrived
at the Street and Water Commissioners
may make an award at their meeting to-
morrow afternoon.