The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-02-02
UNFAMILIAR SUBJECT.
The Fremont Club Is Not in
Favor Of Water.

The Fremont Club at its meeting last
night showed comprehensive misunder1
standing of the water question, when
would have astounded anyone who was
not we'll acquainted with the previous
record of the Fremont Club The meet
ing was opened by President Andrew
Knox Fred Lembke was appointed Sec
retary pro TEN in the absence Of Mr.
Kutzelmann. The Finance Committee.
through Chairman Doscher, reported the
January receipts from club privilege as
$S7.S5.
Some amusement was occasioned by a
letter from a brick company, which de-
sired to fit the Fremonts' new building
with mantels and interior decorations"
Mr.. Stuhr began the water discussion.
He said:-'I think it is time for this club
to take action upon question which as
now almost upon us for our decision
While 1 would not have it appear that Our
club is opposed to public improvements or
stands in the way of anything tending to
the betterment of the city or the advance
of its interests, yet there are some things
which we must not hastily or inconsidcr-
ately accede to because of a supposed pop
ular clamor.
one particular thing-a thing which is
seemingly popular for the reason that it
seems to have become political rather
than popular. / refer to the proposed
purchase of a new water plant by our
city. Many are in favor of the purchase
because of self interest and many of those
who feel like bonding the taxpayers With
several millions of dollars are members OF
a coterie which is mot representative CT
the people.
1--WE have learned in the past few days
that we have piled up an Indebtedness OF
100000 in the past two years for water ar
rearages, and not a dollar at hand TO pay
it. The price of the new contract IS
81, 900, Geo. We have had better opportuni-
ties to purchase water at less price, and
we will have better chances again. 1t
would be a grave matter to purchase now
while we are burdened with debt.
'sThe supply is the same as we are now
receiving. It will not run away; It will
not be purchased by any other city; 1t
will have different value after the c!ti-
zens have voted it down. I therefore
move that it be the sense of this club
that we disapprove of this contract and
that we use our individual efforts to per
suade citizens and property owners to
vote against the purchase"
Mr. Doscher said-"In seconding this
motion, l feel that I cannot add to the
sense of the question, but I would say
that I understand we may buy the plant
at anytime. We can continue to puy the
same water as we do at present. We need
not jump at this proposition. Let the city
pay what it owes for water. before con-
tracing for millions of dollars now of
debt
Mr.. Knox said-1This is an important
matter and involves millions. The proper
ty owners and those who pay taxes should
use their votes to defeat the project at the
present time"
Mr. Stuhr again spoke. He said:-"Take
the Item of 5000, coo interest. our water
supply does not cost that. Add to this an
other 000 for the clerical force, -he
added labor and the frightful amount or
stationery which will be necessary, and
YOU have nearly half a million dollars of
annual expense, and you do not get
drop more water than you receive at
they Indicate more than their race sug-
gests.
..If the price were less there might be
reason to discuss the matter, out as 1t
now stands I do not see how or why this
city should rush into trap and involve
itself and it's property owners for no-h-
ing beyond what we now receive
The discussion became general. The
members agreed that the purchase OF the
fifty million gallon plant at the present
time would be step toward pankruptcy,
and the resolution was unanimously
adouted