The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-07-16

TAX RATE THE SANE
Mayor Hoos Talks to the
Hudson City Improve
ment Association.
IMPROVEMENTS ON THE HEIGHTS
Commissioner Nolan Explains
the Operation of the
Water Department.
IMPROVEMENTS ON THE HEIGHTS

Mayor Hoos, Director of Education
Mersheimer and Street and Wafer Com
missioner James s.. Nolan addressed the
embers of the Hudson City Improve
ment Association, at a meeting OF tnat
organization last night, in G~roesenels
Hall. corner of Oakland and Beacon ave-
nues.
The Mayor complimented the associa-
ton on the work 1t had done for the
section represented by its membership,
and said that the city would be greatly
benefited if it had more citizens organi-
cations conducted ON the same basis. he
spoke Of his administration and said he
regretted that owing to the amount nee
essary to conduct the new schools and
the loss In ratables to the city OF the
grounds occupied by the same and other
new public buildings it would be impos-
sible to lower the tax rate for next year,
and that the authorities would consider
themselves lucky if they were able to
keep 1t down to the figures of the present
year.
Robert Muir, replying for the associa-
tion, said that the citizens of the Hud-
son City section would not object to the
increased tax rate when they knew 1t
was caused by furnishing public school
accommodations for their children
The members then interrogated Mayor
Heos on the new water contract, and he
explained the scheme in detail. When he
concluded a resolution was adopted en-
defsing his administration and thanking
the Mayor for his courteous treatment
of the committees of the association
which had waited upon him at different
times.
His Honor replied that he thought it
the duty Of every public official to listen
to and consider the complaints of the
citizens who had elected him. He thanked
the association for its kind words OF APP
prevail Of his course and promised that as
he had acted in the past he would con-
ftnue in the future.
Mr.. Muir said that the citizens of that
section wanted His Honor to recognize
the fact that they appreciated the cour-
tesy extended by him which had been I'M
equalled by any of his predecessors.
The Mayor promised that he would call
the attention of the Board of Health to
fi1e staple candle factory nuisance which,
one citizen said, despite the trial and con-
viction OF the owner, was still in opera
fion. He said he would call the atten-
! rion Of the health authorities to the an
noyance to the residents of Palisade ave-
nue. by the blowing of steam whistles by
trains on the D., L. & W. and Junction
Railroads at the foot Of the hill.
Mayor Hoos said he would consider the
matter of the ~asphalting of Jefferson ave-
Ytnue as soon as the resolution reached
Him, and would do what he could to pro-
vide for the paving of Palisade avenue,
between Newark and Hoboken avenues,
when 1t was widened. He said the mem
hers OF the association could feel assured
Of the early completion of the Rayine
Road steps for which they had p~etitioned.
Director of Education Mersheimer said
that the city had occasion to feel proud
of having a head who would do as Mayor
Hoos had done in coming directly to the
citizens to hear their complaints. He
spoke of the unsatisfactory condition OF
the work on the new No. 20 school, at
Palisade and Reservoir avenues, and
promised to push Contractor Dn Bots as
far as possible; but declared that if it
took ten years to build he would not
allow the work to progress with inferior
materials.
Commissioner ]. S. Nolan then spoke
of the workings of the Street and Water
Department. He acknowledged that the
system of assessing the water tax was UNI
satisfactory and claimed that the only
remedy lay in metering every house. This
would cost about s4o0. 600, and the money
was not available. He said he expected
at least mother $4,000 this year for the
work Of rebuilding the New York avenue
sewer, which amount. with the $4,000 on
hand for that purpose. he thought would
complete the same.
He was asked many questions by the
citizens and responded IN a most salts
factory manner. telling of his hopes and
expectations for public improvements in
the section.
At the close of his remark a resolution
expressive of the thank of the associa-
ton to himself and Director Mersheimer
was unanimously adopted and the meet
ing adjourned.