Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-03-20
LOWER ESTIMATE
ADDS To Sc WEIR
PLAN POPULARITY
New York Contractors $12,-
z35,O00 Figure Is $4,000
Less Than Boards.
HESITATING TOWNS MAY
NOW JOIN IN UNDERTAKING
Paterson Mayor Says He'll Now
Be Authorized to Sign
Contract.

There is considerable discussion to-
day among those interested in the Pas
sale valley trunk sewer over the estf
mate for the construction of the sewer
submitted by Macarthur Brothers. of
New York. The estimate was made at
: the expense of the company and is
$4,000 less than that computed by the
Commission. 1t shows that the entire
project can be undertaken for a cost
not to exceed s12235, 900. The Macarthur
firm is one of the largest In the coun-
try and their estimate carries with
1t the assurance of careful study.
In order to prove to those that be-
lieved that the work could not be done
for $12,250,000 the estimate submitted
by the commissions engineers, the Of
f1cers of the commission asked the Nc
Arthur firm to submit report. Julius
A.. Lebkuecher, one of the commission
ers. speaking of the report, said:
"The estimate is most gratifying. OF
course have not been informed Of
ficially of the report. but | believe
that ii is just what you say.
"You see we wished some reputable
firm to verify the estimate of our en-
gineers, and asked the Macarthur firm
to do so At first they refused on ac-
count of the expense, but since they
will submit bid eventually they de-
cided to comply with our request. The
fact that they are $4,000 below the
figure presented by our engineers WILL
1 hope, convince some of the skeptics"
VIII Affect Municipalities.
The effect this report will have on
the municipalities that have failed to
Join the commission because of the
uncertainty of the cost was summed
up by Mayor Mcbride, of Paterson
THE mayor said that as soon as copy
of the estimate is received by the city
,he finance committee will. undoubtedly,
authorize him to sign the original con-
tract, striking out the amendment re-
uuiring~fhat bid for the whole work
be obtained befares contracts for any
part of the work are given out.
Three ycssrs ago, when 1 took office. "
said Mayor Mcbride, 81 Immediately
started to investigate the sewerage
question ] appointed special com
mittee consisting of Mr.. Berdan, of the
Finance Board the president of the
Public Works Board, DR.. Leal, of the
Board of Health; the city counsel, the
city engineer and myself, as chairman.
We investigated sewage disposal from
every angle and viewpoint. We held
public meetings at which time the
matter was thoroughly debated and
both sides hard. We continued the
Investigations for three wears and we
reached the conclusion that the trunk
sewer proposition was the host, pro-
vided the sewer could be built as es-
tImated. Now, if Macarthur Bros es-
innate is bonacde one and given in
good faith, why Paterson will surely
sign the contract in the ur'-~' FORM,
with tTie clause eliminated
May Soon BE Realized Now.
Not only will Paterson be affected
by the estimate furnished by the New
York contractors, but it is likely that
now the several other municipalities
which have been holding off because
they were afraid that the sewer could
not be constructed with the estimated
figures of the commission will now sign
the contract and the commissioners
will be able soon to call for bids for
the construction and have the work
we'll on its way toward realization
within a short time.