The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1902-03-11
WATER CONF ABB.
Conference on Flynn PROPOSE
ton Called By the Mayor
for Tomorrow.
ERRONEOUS STATEMENTS CORRECTED
Well Known Water Expert
Discusses the Water Prob
lem Now Before the
Mayor.
ERRONEOUS STATEMENTS CORRECTED

Mayor Pagan has issued call to the
Board Of Finance Commissioners, the
Street and Water Commissioners, Chief
Engineer Garwood Ferris and Clerk Geo
Bouton to a conference on water for to-
morrow afternoon at 2s30 O'Clock The
question to be discussed is whether or
not the city will grant an extension OF
time to December 25 1858, to Mr.. Patrick
III. Flynn and the Jersey City Water Sup
ply Company for the construction of the
new water works.
None of those who have been called to
consider the question will discuss 1t be-
forehand Mayor Pagan whem asked what
his views were declined to express them.
In an interview with well known
official published in Saturdays News,
touching the request Of Mr.. Patrick r.
Flynn for an extension Of time on his
water contract, the argument advanced
against the extension was that Jersey
City would be out of pocket if she grant
ed 1t.
That official said that the city ought at
least to collect something from Mr.. Flynn
for his failure to finish his contract, be-
cause had the works been finished by
February 2S last the city would be enjoy
ing the benefits of its own supply and
that would be a great saving. He esti-
mated that Jersey City was losing $1,000
a day by the non completion of the agree
ment. very prominent lawyer of this
city not connected with either the inter-
ests of Mr.. Flynn and his water COM
pany or the city, but regarded as a water
sharp" discussed the views of the official
| referred to and taking ssratim the OBJ
jections he said to News" reporter to-
day
I'm the first place I understand that Mr.
Flynns lawyers claim that the time for
the completion of their contract is NOT
February %. They say they have at leas-
six or eight months yet, SO you see .-.ere
is a dispute there to be adjusted. Again
the collection of the $500 per day penalty
is a very grave matter and to insist upon
it would open up endless litigation. Tac
courts of this State and any other STATE
are properly very cautious about enfor-
cling any penalty for the non performance
of any contract because it means taking
something for nothing. In my experience
l cannot recall a single case where the
court has enforced a penalty. Of that char
acter Certainly Mr.. Flynn would not, to
use common phrase, hand up before a
very stiff fight. The penalty clause In
the contest should be wiped out OF the
consideration of the whole subject. 1t
cannot be enforced.
Now he continued, ''is Jersey City
out of pocket because she has to continue
buying water from the East Jersey Water
Company? Let US see Today she is pay
ing s35 million gallons for an average
daily supply of about thirty-two million
gallons That means say s1120 per day
and s408, 800 a year. Now suppose Mr..
Flynn had turned on the water on Feb
ruary % last, the city wouldn't buy the
plant at once. would it? No, indeed; if
you look over the contract you will find
in 1t clause to the effect that If Jersey
City intends to purchase the plant she
shall have a reasonable time to test the
works, even such a time as four years
and eleven months from February 2. 1901.
Now during that test she has to pay to
Mr.. Flynn s36 a million gallons for her
water, and as against s35. the present rate,
for the East Jersey, she would save over
s12, 600 a year by not buying the water
under her contract.
Again, suppose Jersey City was to buy
the plant at once, as your official friend
February 2S, what about the money?
The price Is s., SCI, 900. Now at per cens.
when she succeeded in floating the bonds,
there would be an annual charge for that
alone of say $500, 600 Add to that the cost
Of running the works and that couldn
be done for any smaller sum than $780,.
coo year. I see that some one said the
city could run then at $4,000. That's non
| fz h tot hun,
that for Jersey City cost at least $4,000
a year. I know something cbout the cosl
of running waterworks. So there you
have over 100000 a year to face. Which,
ever way you put Jersey City will bene-
fit by continuing taking her present sup
ply for some time"
what would be the result If the city
should refuse Mr. Flynn's reauest?" asked
the News" reporter.
81 cannot, of course, answer for Mr..
Flynn, but l can only imagine what
would do were l in his shoes. Having
offered a reasonable proposition ard
made what regard, and every fair mind
ed man will look at it the same way,
reasonable concession, and these being re-
fused. I would lie down and finish the
contract at my own sweet will. Jersey
! lily must nave d supply l1Si SVitAo ~
with the East Jersey Water Company Is
up soon, and 1t is a question whether that
concern will be able to renew it..
''Newark's demands are increasing.
How can she get water then? Go to the
/ Legislature and then finish the contract
1 herself? What a fine opening for the
professional politicians. What graft!
| Isn't that what it is called?
NO delay in the matter is dangerous
and will prove costly blunder ! hope
our officials viii rise to this question and
consider it on the plans Of public utility
and necessity and not haggle over 1t as
they would a party question. jersey City
ought to at once grant the extension and
let Mr.. Flynn finish his contract as quick
| ly as possible. II she does not therell be
trouble and the peopse won't be slow in
putting the blame where II belongs Mind
that"