The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-06-23
YESTERDAYS FURRY.
Allan L. MeDermott' S Strong
Appeal Nearly Brings
About an Award.

When ssThe Jersey City News went to
press, yesterday afternoon, 1T had been
agreed by President Hauck and Commits
sioners Nolan and Smith of the Street
and Water Board to throw out all the
water plant propositions and direct the
clerk to prepare to readvertise for bids.
AS those gentlemen represent the major
ity and are sometimes referred to as the
combine it was taken for granted that
this programme would go through.
The Commissioners met in private con-
ference at O. clock Mr.. Boltwood creat-
ed trouble at an early moment by reiter-
ating his old threat to put his colleagues
1 on record by forcing vote on resolu-
ton to make an award to the Rockaway
and Hudson Company. Over this, the
discussion grew warm, and the voices OF
Messrs. Boltwood and Nolan could be
heard by the waiting crowd outside,
raised in angry tones.
Among the walters. were the represent
atives of the various bidders. Later,
Police Justice Nevin strolled in and chat
ted with Clerk Bouton, whose more than
usually mysterious demeanor created the
impression that he had something up MS
sleeve. The last arrival of all was En-
gineer c. c. Vermeule.
At four o'clock, an hour after the time
the Board was scheduled to meet. the
Commissioners emerged from their prl-
yate chamber. Instead of going to the
meeting room they headed for the May
or's office. Doors were closed after them
with a bang A moment later, Corpora
ton Counsel McDermott hurried, out OF
breath. into the Mayor S. sanctum.
The portraits of ex-Mayors Cleveland
and Wanser seemed to smile. Both had
whack at the water problem.
Once inside Commissioners Hauck,
Nolan and Smith were asked why they
proposed rejecting the pending bids
Among other things they said they con-
sidered it to the best interests of the city
to do so inasmuch as the Mayor would
not approve an award to the company to
which they wished to give the contract.
For two hours the merits of the several
plans were discussed. Not once but fifty
times efforts were made to get the Mayor
to commit himself to some plan He in
timated very strongly that he liked the
general plan price and capacity of the
Rockaway and Hudson Company. This.
did not suit Messrs Hauck Nolan and
Smith and they declared themselves OPEN
ly as opposed to that concern.
Corporation Counsel McDermott kept
out of the wrangle until he saw the
Street and Water Commissioners and the
Mayor were destined never to arrive at an
agreement.
Then he began one Of his characteristic
arguments for the acceptance of the P. II.
Flynn 7O0Oo,Oo0 gallons plant.
Mayor Hoos turned a deaf ear to ap-
peals for that plant because it costs too
much.
Mr.. McDermott next tried the officials
on the S5.O0Oooo gallons plant Offered by
Flynn The Mayor listened attentively
and seemed greatly impressed. Messrs.
Hauck, Nolan and Smith abandoned the
rejection of bids arrangement and Messrs.
Boltwood and Heintze seemed to be
wavering a bit
For only brief period did Mr. Bolt
wood hesitate Then he broke out again
advocating the Rockaway and Hudson
Iplan. Mr.. Heintze was more deliberate.
He listened and said nothing.
Mayor Hoos was finally asked point
blank what he would do if an award
should be made to Flynn for his s5,ooo0 900
gallons plant, Of which the cost price is
/ Sc, AIS 900.
Breathlessly the Commissioners awaited
the reply.
What little breath remained in them was
knocked out when His Honor, with a very
broad smile on his face, said:
IF the gentlemen of the Street and
Water Board cast unanimous vote for
Flynn IS. coo 900 gallons plant will ap
r,rnyA s,1cl1 a ward when 1T reaches me