The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-04-05
INVESTIGATION.

The members of the City Council stray
gled in slowly Oh Thursday night, and not
until Cinthy Kurtz had waltzed around after
several tardy ones, and the hands on the old
clock pointed to Sis, had they all assembled
to answer the roll call. In addition to the
members, Mr.. Meade F. White appeared as
counsel for Mr. Smith. and Maj. Elder was
present, to represent the city. The spec
tators were numerous and embraced law
yers, merchants, bank officers and business
and working men generally.
Mr. Weller, Chairman, asked the Council
to relieve the Special Committee, and a res
olution to that effect having been passed,
the report of Donald Allen. City Engineer.
upon the condition of the pump-house and
machinery therein, was read, together with
the communication of A. w. Smith in an-
swer thereto.
Mr. Abby then moved that the Council
proceed to the investigation of any and all
charges against A. w. Smith, Superintend-
ent of Water Works.
DONALD ALLEN.
He testified: BY resolution OF the Spe-
cial Water Committee, made an eXamina-
ton of the condition of The pump-house and
engine. The result of that examination is
contained in my report to the committee,
which has been heard tonight. | can only
reiterate the statements made therein. When
Mr.. Smith first took charge of the works, l
noticed that he seemed greatly embarrassed,
and advised him not to attempt to run the
engine without farther instructions. Since
he has had charge Of the works, the engine
has not ben doing its duty. 1t is guaranteed
to lift ,250,00O gallons every "a hours, but
since he las been running it there has been
Il deficit OF 800, 900 gallons at each pumping,
Though the same amount OF coal has been
used as is required when the engine is run
ming to its full capacity. During a rece mt
visit to the pump-house. observed the stop
valves outside were closed. This causes the
water to remain stagnant in the terra Gotta
pipes and permits the accumulation of sedi-
ment. The boiler has been badly burned,
but | do not know whether it was done
whilst the works were under the control OF
the contractors or since Mr.. Smith has taken
charge OF them. Mr.. Eyler says it was
caused by bad firing on the part of Smith,
Mr.. Mcdowell, competent machmist from
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad had made
an examination of the boiler, and said
the damage had resulted from the accumula-
ton of sediment. He thought it probable
that it had been done prior to Smiths TAX
lag charge, but couldn't say positively. At
ter my report had been written out, left
it in the office of Mr.. Carroll for several days,
and told him co. to call Smiths attention to
it when he came in. don't think he saw it
there, but on Monday brought it to the
Council room, and Smith was here at the
time. told him that the report would be
laid before the Council that it referred to
him, and s'that it would cause a row in the
camp if they (the Council thought as did. )"
He certainly couldn't have misunderstood
me, for on the next day he asked me to go to
the pump-house and examine again. [ am
not practical machinist, and don't pretend
to be an expert. In my opinion, based up
on what have seen in Mr.. Smiths working,
he is not capable of filling the position, and
if the engine was my property, | should not
hesitate moment about changing him. If
he is not more careful, do not think the city
can claim the guarantee of the contractors.
A long and tiresome cross examination,
lasting until nearly IL O'Clock, followed,
without eliciting anything further of import
ance, after which the Council adjouEneG Sn
til the following night.
FRIDAY NIGHT.
The members came in more promptly than
on the night before, and the spectator corps
was largely recruited. Major Elder was the
missing link in the charmed circle, and Gin
thy was Immediately dispatched for him.
Presently he made his appearance and the
business of the evening was commenced.
Donald Allen was recalled, and several I'M
important questions asked him.
JOHN B. EVANS
was then sworn and testified substantially
as follows: AS Chairman of the Special Water
Committee, I was the executive member OF
that committee, to carry out its ORDERS
When the works were to be placed, tempo
rariy, under the control Of the city, an eX-
pert from New York was sent for to see
that they were in good condition and give
instructions to our Superintendent Mr.. A.
nd toll hot ho
was perfectly familiar with the engine, and
didn't need any information on the subject.
I told him that didn't think he was, and
that he had better post himself. He thought
otherwise. Mr.. Eyler desired to turn it over
in good order, and Mr.. Frank Smith, tie
New York expert, expressed himself salts
fed with its condition. He made a thorough
examination and reported everything in per-
feet order, excepting the fire brick in the
boiler. When the works were ready, Super
intcndent A. W. Smith was given charge,
and told to start it. lie insisted that Frank
Smith should start it, and then said: IF you
gentlemen will get out of the way, | will
start it, He took hold of one Of the valves
and then let go, saying that he could not
start it. Frank Smith then started it, and
the committee told him to give the Superin-
tendent all the instruction he could. On
Thursday Mr.. A. w. Smith again desired to
start the engine, ami the expert told me
ssthat he was d-n fool for wanting to
start it, then took A. w. Smith aside
and told him not to attempt to run the en-
CINE unless he could succeed; that another
failure would operate very seriously against
him. After that A. W. Smith said he want
ed to stay at the pump house. He did stay
there, and in two or three days the expert
thought he was getting along very well,
though he wasn't the mechanic he at first
considered him. He said he didn't think the Su-
perintendent would do the engine any harm,
and that as he (the Superintendent had
reputation to make, he would try to redeem
himself. I, myself was inclined to indulge
him, and wanted him to succeed. After the
expert had gone away, visited, in my official
capacity. the pump-house frequently, and
noticed difference in the working Of the
engine. 1t seemed to be laboring and not CO.
ing its duty. On several occasions | called
Mr. Sn,;th,s ottantion tn various nartS of the