Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-10-04


Us Water Works by June, 1882.
A special meeting of the city council,
called by Mayor Staub, for the purpose OF
and taking action on the water
works question, was held at the city hall
last night, there bling present besides the
mayor, Aldermen Brooks, Cruze, Allison,
Deaderick, Mackey, King, Murphy, Mi
chaels, Hudiburg, Nelson, Anderson, Shep-
pard, Logan, Hockenjos, Irwin, Fields-a
full board.
Mayor Staub stated the object of the
meeting; also, that the Special Water
Works Committee had held meeting, FRI
day night, in connection with Mr.. F. N.
Loweree, a contractor, and called on them
for report, which was read by Alderman
Nelson, as follows:
The Special Committee on Water Works
would respectfully report that they have
received proposition for the building of
water works for the city of Knoxville,
from Messrs f. M. Loweree, of Red
Bank, n. j., and VIM. Runkle, of New
York Irresponsible parties) which they re-
commend for ratification.
A contract, unsigned, based upon said
proposition, prepared by one of the city at
torneys, is herewith submitted
Your committee would further state
that Messers. J. A. Rayl and J. w. Gaut,
constituting the citizens committee, also
considered with us the proposition and are
satisfied with it. This October 1, 1881.
PETER STAUB,
JNo NJ. Brooks,
THos. A. r. NELSON.
The contract referred to above, was
read by City Attorney Tillman. and the
following is the substance thereof
The contractors agree to erect water
works and furnish pure and wholesome
water, everything to be of the best material.
and in no way inferior to the Moses Lane
plan. The reservoir is to be constructed on
the same site as at present partially located
and owned by the city. The suction-pipe
90 inch pipe, and the main
outlet 16 inch pipe; to be graded down
gradually to IA, II, 10, 8, and 4 inch.
The capacity of the reservoir is to be
100000 gallons. They propose to erect
Is fire hydrants, IS to be located as mapped
out in the Lane plan, and the remaining IL
at such points as may be designated. After
wards they will erect as many additional
hydrants as needed, at points not exceeding
COG feet from the others. They propose
to be able to furnish an unin-
terrupted supply of 100000 gallons of
water every twenty four hours, except in
case of unavoidable delay, which will be
remeded as soon as possible. They viii
furnish free of charge water for flushing
cutters, sprinkling streets, the uses of the
IRE department, aud at the City Hall and
public buildings. They will purchase the
city's water works property, paying 81, 800,
to be paid in drant rents, 81, 900 the first
year, - 900 the second, and the remain
ing 81, 500 the third year. Water will be
furnished to private consumers at
five cents per 100 gallons. The work will
be commenced i'll sixty days from the sign
ing of the contract and pushed forward
with all possible energy, to be completed
ready for supplying water to the city by
June lbt, 1882, provided there is no delay.
All necessary precautions will be observed
III laying down the pipes, etc, and the
streets restored as good as beforehand.
The contractors bind themselves to main
tain the works in sufficient condition and
capacity for thirty years, IN ess the city
becomes the owner. If the contractors fail
to begin or complete the works, according
to contract and stipulation, the contract and
their rights will cease.
The city, on the other hand, grants the
right of way on all streets, alleys and public
grounds, and agrees not to grant similar
privileges to any other company or persons
for 80 years. they agree to pay the con-
tractors $50 per annum each for the IS fire
hydrants payable quarterly. and the same
price for each additional hydrant erected.
They will give such protection as in their
power, and give warranty deeds to the
water-works property sold, &c.
1t is mutually agreed that at the end of
each or any year the city will have the priv
ilege of purchasing the works. either by ne
notation or on terms agreed upon by five
appraisers, two selected by the city and two
by the contractors, they to select the fifth ;
provided that the contractors have six
months notice of the city's intention to pur-
chase AS special consideration the city
exempts the contractors from municipal tax
alton for period of five years. But if this
is beyond their power, and they must by
law collect taxes, the city agrees to refund
them.
Some discussion was had among the mem
bers on the details of the contract, and there
was desire eApreSS6u 1Or Ao-luCu pipe lOI
the main outlet, but Mr.. Loweree, who was
present, assured them that the 16-inch is
sufficient. Finally the following was offered
and adopted by a unanimous vote, the full
board being present
Whereas, The special committee or
water works have reported that a PROPOSE
ton has been received for the erection Of
water works from Messrs. F. NJ. Loweree,
of New Jersey, and VIM. Runkle, of New
York, Irresponsible parties), which PROPOSE
ton is embodied in a contract drawn
up by the city attorney and
submitted with said report, and
recommended for acceptance; and said re
port and contract having been considered
and being satisfactory, the same is accepted
and the contract approved and ratified
therefore, be it
| ResoIoed, That the Mayor and Records
are hereby authorized to execute said con
tract as soon as the said contractors hav'
/, signed the same.
There being no other business, the boart
adjourned.
Thus we are permitted to herald the glad
some intelligence that Knoxville will hav,
water works, after all, and on terms appar
emily satisfactory all around. Although M
blow has been made of it, Mayor Staub ha
been quietly but steadily at work on thi
contract for some time. and credit is due t.