The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-04-15
TALKING UP WATER
George B. Inman Contract
OratoTically Aerated
at City Hall
30 AWARD TO BIZ MADE TODAY
Promoters Haunt the Corridors
Prices Of the Rival Sup
plies Disputed.

The Street and Water Commissioners
today gave a private hearing to the
George B. Inman Contract Company,
which concern is anxious to sell the city
a new supply of pure and wholesome
water. All the member of the Street and
Water Board were present. So was the
clerk. George T. Bouton. Corporation
Counsel McDermott was on hand and SO
wero Engineers Ferris and Vermeule.
The company was represented by coun-
sellors McGee and Peshall. The MEM
bers of the concern present were:-Michaei
Dody, Frederick Kalbfeisch, Colonel
George b. Inman, George Weldon and
Horace H. Farrier.
Counsellor MCGEE, on behalf of the COM
pany, declared that the plant 1t proposed
giving the city was far beyond the con-
fines of the Morris Canal or East Jersey
Water Companies. He intimated very
strongly that the ompany has already
secured options on about two-thirds of
the watershed which is embraced in the
proposition. To secure a right OF way
would be an easy matter, he asserted, as
the company, in the preparation of its
plans, has taken the precautien not to
interfere in any way with the rights of
opposing corporations. The pipe line
would be direct, he said, and laid in such
a way that a break which would In any
way damage or cripple the plant would
be out of the question.
Mr.. MCGEE argued at length on the for
mality of the company's proposition. 1t
has been said that the company's offer
was not formal. Mr.. MCGEE was armed
with a mass of Supreme Court decisions
which he declared proved conclusively
that the Inman proposition was formal.
After citing many decisions and reading
extracts from them. Mr.. MCGEE turned to
Mr.. McDermott and asked him if the bid
was not formal.
answer.
The proper course to pursue in such
matters as this" said Mr.. McDermott. lis
for the proper body, which is the Street
and Water Board. to determine which
plant they consider best for the city.
Having arrived at a conclusion they may
then consult me about the legality of the
propositions and all other legal points in
volved. I will give them a written opinion
ON the subject"
Colonel Inman produced maps of the
country in which his company proposes
gathering and storing water. He laid
great stress on the fact that the noun
tains which surround the gathering
grounds are practically pine forests.
mo water could possibly be purer than
that which passes through pine forests, !"
he said. N one he continued, .'can
dispute the fact that there is an album
dance of water in the section secured by
engineer, C. C. Vermeule, show that we
can give Jersey City not only all she
wants but more. too. Our watershed is
capable of enlargement at a small ex-
pense. No section of this State produces
more or better water than the one we
have selected. With a watershed of 1Oi
square miles Jersey City need fear no
scarcity of water"
There was a report in the City Hall
this morning that the Inman people pro-
posed offering their plant for 81, 900, 600.
The report was without foundation. The
~company's purchase price is So. 00O.O 900. The
plant offered by Patrick H. Flynn costs
only 81, 100, 600. The Inman people also
suggest the creation OF a sinking fund.
BY the payment into a fund of an amount
equal to what is paid the company, the
city, at the expiration of twenty years,
would Ia sufficient money to buy the
plant without issuing a bono of any de-
scription or imposing any burden Upon
taxpayers. Colonel Inman also maintains
that in twenty-five years the city can save
enough money from what his concern
asks a million gallons and what is now
being paid the East Jersey, to buy the
plant al 9.0o0,o 600. Under the sinking fund
plan he contends that his plan would in
the end save the city 81, 900 less than
any yet offered the city. The other COM
panies make the same contention. sas
No conclusion was arrived at today. The
Board is to hold a conference tomorrow
and on Monday, when the next regular
meeting is held. an award may be made.
Edlow w. Harrison, the Rockaway and
Hudson Company's engineer, was at the
Street and Water Board Office this morn
ing. Water men haunt the City Hall
from morning till night. Each company's
representative is confident that he has the
contract in his vest pocket. Il