The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-07-07
COUNTY, UNION.
Greater Jersey City Com
mission Hears from Mu-
inequalities as to Pro-
gress Of Reports.
HITCH OVER NORTH BERGEN
Committee to Investigate the
Effect of Consolidation on
Governmental Sim
pliHcation.
HITCH OVER NORTH BERGEN

The Hudson County Consolidation Com
,,sssion held a brief meeting in the
Mayors office yesterday afternoon. Presi-
dent Henry Brautigam was in the chalr
and when the minutes were read NE caheu
for the REPORTS from the various munlcl-
palities in the county
Mr. w D. Edwards for Jersey City
said that his report was practically reaoy,
only a few data being required. cnlel
Engineer Van Keuren. he said, had fur-
aished statistics showing number ana
mileage of streets and sewers and all IN
formation respecting his department.
From Superintendent H. Snyder had been
received, Mr. Edwards continued, par
ticulars concerning the schools, and ex-
Comptroller George Hough had nearly
finished the financial statement of Jersey
city up to the last tax budget Thus the
report was nearly ready to be presented
to the Commission.
Mr.. E. A. S. Lewis reported progress
for Hoboken
Mr. Augustus Rich for West FIoboken
said that his report was all ready except
ing the data in relation to the streets.
Messrs. O'Brien for Union Hill and
Dewer Tor Weehawken were not ready to
hand in their respective reports.
Mr.. Nathaniel Trask, for Bayonne, said
that he would be through in two or three
weeks. Being treasurer Of that city the
work had all to be done by himself.
Messrs w. ]. Davis. for Harrison, and
Forrest for Kearny. said they would be
ready for the next meeting.
Mr. Robert Bruce, hi reporting for
North Bergen, said he couldn't under
stand the figures handed to him by the
town clerk Of N6rth Bergen, who had
asked for extra pay. 1t appeared that
only $500 was the salary of that official,
land he thought he should receive some
thing for the work of compiling data for
the Commissioners.
Colonel S. d. Dickinson moved that the
commissioners place sufficient funds in
he hands of Mr. Bruce to secure the
Necessary information.
Mr. W. D. Edwards, however, protested.
He said that if one town clerk was paid
every town clerk in the county would not
naturally ask for money. Fe moved as
an amendment that a committee of two,
consisting of the Chairman of Plan and
Scope and the secretary, Messrs. Edwards
and Nevin, be appointed TO secure the
necessary data from North Bergen The
amendment prevailed.
Mr. Edwards then moved the following
resolution
Resolved, That the Committee on Plan
and Scope be directed to investigate and
report to the Commission in what manner
and to what extent the functions of the
county government could be simplified
and merged in consolidated muni-
cipality."
This didn't suit Mr.. W. J. OBrien of
Union Hill, a foe to consolidation. He
didn't see any use in crossing bridges IN
til he came to them.
Mr.. Edwards replied that the resolution
simply sought to get all the facts for the
Commission. The Commission he said.
wanted to find outfit, for instance, the
FreehoEders could be abolished and other
county institutions.
Mir. OBrien, however. thought it meant
q declaration in favor of consolidation
when later the Commission might decide
against it.
Nothing of the kind" said Mr. Ed
wards, we mean just as / say. We
want to get at the facts, and it doesn't t
bind US to anything"