Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-06-26
MAYOR ENDORSES
SPECIFICATIONS
FOR ALMSHOUSE
Bids for Furnishings Approved
at Conference With Alder
manic Committee.
OBJECTION TO PIANO
Is THE ONLY PROTEST
Mr.. Raymond Agrees Revised
List Will Not Turn Aims
: house Into Palace.

Endorsement Of the specifications
for the furnishings of the new city
almshouse at Ivy Hill was given by
Mayor Raymond at a conference with
the members of the poor and aims
committee of the Common Council at
his Office in the City Hall last night.
A feature of the meeting was the
harmony with which both sides dis
cussed the matter. Both sides agreed
that the specifications were fair and
not in the least extravagant. The only
exception taken was in reference to
a. piano for the rooms of the super
intendent of the almshouse, Patrick
]. White. 1t was finally agreed that
H. would not be amiss for the city to
have a piano at the almshouse, the
instrument to be used at entertain
ments for the inmates as well as for
the use of Mr. Whites family
Mr. Raymond and the committee
agreed to have bids advertised for at
once. so that the entire matter can
he settled as soon as possible AS
soon as the purchase of the FURNISH
ings is effected the Ivy Hill plant,
which has been completed for months
will be put into use. The old building
on Elizabeth avenue will be razed as
soon as the inmates are transferred
to the new institution.
$4,000 Reduction.
The furnishings for the almshouse,
based on the latest specifications, 1t
was estimated by the architect, Jo-
seph p. O'Rourke, will cost about
$40 900. This Is a reduction of $14,O0c
from the first figures received on bids
which afterward were thrown out as
illegal. The reduction to $4,000 re-
suited after the specifications had
been changed so as to eliminate steer
lockers. carpets for the various
wards. chapel furnishings and other
articles for the use of the inmates.
There were no changes made in tho
specifications for the apartments OF
Mr. White from those submitted las.
week to the poor and aims commit
tee by the architect. These new
specifications will stand despite the
attempt of some dissatisfied persons
who feared that superintendent
Whites apartments might resemble
palace of one of the French kings 1t
was explained by Mr.. O'Rourke thai
the original first set of specifications
were the only ones changed and that
the changes for the superintendent's
rooms consisted of minor provisions.
The conference was a regular love
feast until the piano question arose.
Alderman Cam expressed his OBJ
lection to the suggestion that piano
be furnished for the home of Super
intendent Patrick j. White, of the
almshouse.
"If the superintendent wants
piano, let him buy it himself" said
Alderman Cam.
'I think that a piano is proper
piece of institutional equipment,
said Alderman Gottlieb.
Since this conference with the
mayor is being held for the purpose
of receiving suggestions from the
mayor regarding almshouse furnish
ings, | think the piano matter might
be left to him. said Alderman
Schuck, chairman of the committee.
Mayors Reply.
"If the minority was agreed | would
certainly stand with the minority, but
as there is difference of opinion in
the minority ! will leave it up to the1
committee to decide. The members
of the minority have stood by me. and
] am not going to take sides against
either of them,' said the mayor
il was then explained that the
piano would be on call for the enter
tainment of inmates, as 1t could easily
be wheeled through the corridors to
the dining of the main building
and entertainments by volunteers
given for the inmates.
Alderman Cam continued firm in
his opposition to furnishing a piano
for the institution, but when the vote
was taken the motion to furnish 1t
prevailed, without Mayor Raymond
having expressed any opinion, further
tha nto say that he favored economy.
Outside of the trouble about the
piano, which was put in tune" by the
committees vote, everything was har-
.sIoniouS at the meeting, and merry
tllips and jibes were passed as the
proposed furnishings for the institu-
tion were discussed, except in single
instance That was when Alderman
McCrudden said: Mr.. Mayor, Alder
man Cam knows this furniture is
going into an almshouse, and he
wants it to show that it belongs
there -
"All right alderman, | know where
/ stand, and that is for economy"
said Alderman Cam.
Pm for economy. too retaliated
Alderman McCrudden, but / want 1t
tempered with reason" This closed
the incident.
Mayor Raymond was informed by
the committee that a lopoff of $4,000
had been made from the original esti-
mate, which brought the price for the
equipment of the entire plant within
the appropriation of $4,000. AS item
after item was gone OVER the mayor
agreed with the Judgment of the al
dermen on the committee.
Only one cut-out was made at the
melting, and that was that which
called for lace curtains of a high
grade. 1t was agreed to allow the
architect to select curtains Of lower
grade. The meeting closed with a
resolution that bids for the furnish
ings be advertised for, to be opened
on Friday, July 16, at o'clock in the
afternoon.