The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1902-03-20
CHECK To
THE MAYOR
Street and Water Board
Accommodates Him With
a Definite Water
Proposal.
COLLECT THE PENALTY
Republican Officials Have
Cold Shivers and STAND
From Under Rapidly.
NOT RELEVANT, YOU KNOW
Another Secret Conference
calIed-Democrats Give His
Ho nor Several Cruel
Prods.
NOT RELEVANT, YOU KNOW


It was called for talk on water, but
that subject was given little considera-
ton. There was a great deal more said
about what part politics played in the ac-
tions and ideas of the gentlemen present.
But one conclusion was reached 1t was
that the members could not talk as freely
in the presence of the reporters of the pa
pers as they could behind closed doors.
This was agreed on by all, and the con-
ference adjourned to meet tomorrow af-
ternoon at o'clock in secret.
The Street and Water Commissioners
went into the conference with two pro-
posals to offer. They offered one in the
form of a resolution which called upon
the Corporation Counsel to begin proceed
ings for the recovery of the $500 per day
forfeiture from the Jersey City Water
Supply Company and = H. Flynn for ev-
cry day since February 2S last, when the
works at Boonton should have been COM
pleted. This was not adopted, because it
was looked upon as not bearing on the
paramount question of the extension of
time"
Then the Street and Water Commis-
sioners rested on their oars. Having
started the ball rolling. they looked for
some expression of ideas from the Board
of Finance and the Mayor, but they were
not forthcoming, and the Street and Wa
ter Commissioners would go no further.
They did not offer the second proposition
they had ready. =
Mayor Pagan stuck to his original po-
sition that he would say absolutely noth-
ing. He took the stand that he was there
merely as one for whose benefit the Street
and Water Commissioners and the Board
of Finance should talk. After he had
heard all they had to say he would con-
slider it and then form a conclusion. This
conclusion he would not divulge, however,
until he was called upon to take final ae-
tion on whatever the two boards offered
him in an official way.
He even refused to listen to PROPOSE
tion that the Street and Water Commits
sioners and the Board of Finance should
agree upon a course of action, submit it
to His Honor for consideration before
they passed upon it officially and then
act upon his views expressed in an unoffi-
cial way They would save some time, it
was agreed. although not as much as
would be saved had the Mayor given his
views before any action should be taken
whatever.
The attitude of the Mayor led the Street
and Water Commissioners to fear that he
was led to follow his course through pol
itics. and the Mayor entertained the same
idea about the Commissioners. They
both made their ideas on this clear, and
then the talk turned on what influence
politics had on the actions of each. Both
disclaimed any influence, and there was
some heat in their remarks.
1t was Mr.. Brock that suggested a Sc
cret conference. He touched a responsive
chord in the hearts of the others, and his
suggestion was quickly taken up. It was
adopted.
1t was nearer 4:3O than o'clock when
the Board OF Finance came in from their
sale of bonds. Mayor Fagan opened tine
proceedings by asking if the Board of
Street and Water Commissioners had any
thing to offer.
"The Board Of Street and Water Com
missioners have two propositions to offer.
hut as this is conference where we are
supposed to exchange views, we would
like 10 hear if the others here have any
thing to say said President Robert G.
Smith.
There was no response and no indica-
ions that there would be any, SO Presi-
dent Smith continued;-
Il will say that our plan is not mate
rally changed from what it was at the
last conference. But we have resolution
to offer. 1t is to the effect that the Cor
poration Counsel begin legal proceedings
for the recovery Of the liquidated dam
ages to the city, the $500 day set forth
in the contract as what the contractors
will forfeit If they do not complete the
work on time"
The resolution was offered but was not
passed upon as it had nothing to Go with
the point in question.
..The contract said President Smith
.swas nada between the Mayor the
Board of Finance and the Street and
Water Board and Flynn. Flynn has vio-
lated the contract and should be made to
pay the penalty But the Street and
water Commissioners should not be called
upon to take all the responsibility. You
other gentlemen should say what your
vews are. If you have any plan we
would be g.ad to consider It before we do
anything
Does the Corporation Counsei think the
$50 could be ccllected? asked Commits
ones II. Lembeck.
II wouldn't answer that off-hand. re-
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