The evening star and Newark advertiser., 1907-08-03
SEES .NIGGER
IN WOODPILE'
IN LEASE
BeIIeViIIe Water Deal
Would Be Folly, Says
Works Board Member.

Commissioner George H. Lambert. Of
the Board of Works, made a statement
yesterday on the proposed leasing of
the Belleville pumping station to the
Hudson County Water Company by
Common Council and Board of Works
jointly, and, as in the past when the
matter was brought before the board,
voiced his dsapprovaI of the proposed
lease. stating that the pumping station
should not go out of the city's control
to any company or corporation, and
especially the Hudson company. The
commissioner eontended that the plant
was necessary for reserve purposes.
despite the fact that the city has the
best watersheds in the country.
When the matter was first brought to
the attention of the Board of Works.
Mr.. Lambert and his Democratic coll
league. Thomas F. Halpin, opposed the
measure, and raised the question OF the
boards power to authorize the lease
If the project was approved by the
Republican majority.
City Counsel James R. Nugent rem
dered an opinion TO the board stating
that the power to do so lay with Com
mon Council. but suggested that as the
Board of Works. under the old aque-
duct legislation had some authority in
the matter, the lease, If made, should
be authorized by both bodies.
As has been said In the EVENING
STAR, the plant can supply 100000
gallons of water per day of "a hours.
Commissioner Lambert said that he
feared the Hudson company would do
all in their power to acquire the plant,
and he declares whatever protest he
can make will be made.
Leases of city property to corporations
or private individuals should not be made
| said Mr.. Lambert, land in this city
especially, it would be folly to surrender
| control of a property the use OF which
may be required at any moment. For in-
stance, there Is to come up at the NO
vember election the question Of establish
ing a municipal lighting plant There is
sufficient ground at the Belleville water
works TO erect additional buildings as
power plants, and 1t would not be right
| to sacrifice such opportunity, especially at
| the low figure suggested by the Hudson
! County Company. II Newark cannot OBJ
tain proper compensation for the wells
and the right to their use upon demand,
/ think every citizen with its welfare at
heart will agree with me that all lease
propositions should be rejected.
Even should the Hudson company raise
It's offer until a figure adequate to COM
pensate the city for the use of the wells
| would be reached I would still be chary
of accepting the proposition. as l would
always be skeptical of the Niger In the
woodpie II the Hudson company is so
anxious to fulfill a contract with Staten
Island as to seek the use Of the eity's
wells for jersey water why does IT not
purchase land nearer the shore front2
Surely this would be better than construct
ing n lengthy stretch of pipe line from
RelIeville to a point on the New YORK bay
shore from where a crossing to staten
Island would be made. Doesn't the lease
idea appear as If there was more behind
ii than appears upon the surIace OF tne
company's Offer
Possibly there might be drawn form
of agreement should a lease be entered
into, that would apparently fully protect
the city's interest when signed. but it
would be an easy legal matter to tie the
case up in the courts. should the city's de-
mand be made at time not suited to the
leasing company" and Mr.. Lambert, who
4 is lawyer smiled. evidently at the idea
OF how easy such trick could be pulled
/ off by counsel for the Hudson or any other
company which might be in control of the
/ Beleville water plant when the city might
/ be In most urgent need of it.
no, I repeat, 1t would be foolish to-
/ lease the use of the wells" continued the
/ commissioner, for while there is no ques-
/ tion of the present water supply being
sufficient for years to come, still there is
! no telling what might happen and force
immediate demand for the use Of the
/ Belleville plant"
/ Ii is said that the Democratic Alder
/ men are opposed to allowing the plant go
/ ing out Of the city's control, and if the
! Council decides against leasing the plant.
/ and the majority Of the Republicans Of
/ the Board of Works approves of the plan,
/ the power of the respective boards under
| the aqueduct legislation and the law OF
! this year on municipal water plans and
/ property, will have 10 be more clearly
/ defined than in the opinion rendered by the
4 city counsel to the Board Of Works.