Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-06-23
WATER WORKS MEETING.
The Citizens in Consultation with the
City Council and Com mittee.
Considerable Discussion and Explanation
But Nothing Done,


assembled at the courthouse last night, to
consult and consider the question of
letting the contract for the construction of
water works for the city of Knoxville.
Before the organization, Alderman Mich
aels nominated Mr.. Jno S. VanGilder for
chairman, but was declared out OF order.
The meeting was then called to order by
Alderman Jno. NJ. Brooks, who stated the
objects, and nominated Col c. ". Charlton
for chairman, who was declared elected,
and assumed the chair with reluctance.
John IL. Moore was chosen secretary.
The propositions submitted by the two
parties, Messrs. r. D. Wood & Co, of
Philadelphia, Pa, and Charles E. Robinson,
of New York, were read in the order men
toned by Maj. L. A Gratz one of the city
attorneys.
The chief points of the proposition of
Mr.. Wood We're given by US yesterday. He
states explicitly what he proposes to do,
furnish IS hydrants at ;575 each per annum,
8 miles of pipe, amounting to SIS, 625 on one
plan, adopting the Lane survey throughout,
or at $50 for smaller pipe, making for IS
hydrants and miles of pipe 50, $50.
AS to the Robinson proposition the body
was the same, but an addition was made in
explanation, in which Mr.. Wood agrees to
any reasonable arrangement by the city to
ascertain the actual cost at the expiration of
five years: also, that the hydrants shall not
necessarily be all in the business portion of the
city. and if desirable ne will adopt the Lane
plan and survey and construct reservoir to
contain not less than three and half nil
lion gallons of water, with a sufficient ca
pacity to supply the wants of the city.
STILL ANOTHER EXPLANATION.
In this connection we may say that we
are authorized by Mr. Comfort, one of Mr..
Robinson's attorneys, to correct the
figures given by us yesterday to some
extent. He states that Mr.. Robinson
agrees to change the proposition and put
the hydrants 500 feet apart, instead of 25O
rs of which would amount to A miles of
pipe, at So, 175. To this he claims should
be added one mile from river to reservoir
and from reservoir ito city proper, making
81 miles of pipe for the above amount. He
then calculates for an additional 80 MIGRANTS
at 600 instead of 500 feet apart, making 81
miles of pipe at a cost of $780, at $50 per
hydrant Thus he calculates that miles of
pipe laid by Mr.. Robinson, will give 108
hydrants at a cost Of 81, 165 against 8 miles
and IS hydrants by Mr.. Wood for IS, 625.
The report of the council committee, as
made to the board at its meeting Monday
night, and published in our issue of yester-
day, wasread by Captain Brooks, declining to
entertain Woods proposition, but recon-
mending Robinson's to favorable considera-
ton. Captain Brooks stated that the posi-
ton of Robinson was considered more IA
vorable, for the reasons that it was at q
much lower rental; the cost of hydrants
much less; that he only asked exemption
for five years, instead of perpetual; agrees
to take the property owned by the city in
payment as whole for rental, while the
other proposition only agrees to let it come
in half that way and half in cash, &c.
Mr.. JAS OConner asked if one or both
the gentlemen were present and if the prop
ositions are the same as when opened by the
committee and read to the board
Alderman 7. A. Burrier said that the
Robinson proposition had been added to.
Major Gratz explained that the committee
had demanded of Mr.. Robinson an explana-
ton of the points which We're not under
stood, and again read the explanation added
to the original proposition.
Capt W. w. Woodruff said that the orig
inal document and explanation Of Mr.. Rob-
inson are sadly in conflict, both having their
virtues and defects. He moved that moth
ing less than the Lane plan and survey be
adopted.
Captain Brooks stated that the committee
have adopted the Lane survey and propose
to be governed by it.
Alderman Burrier said that at first infer
ence the first proposition of Robinson
would be taken to mean the Holly system,
/ and not a reservoir. He thought the first
| would have to be stricken out and the latter
taken, as they were entirely different.
Maj, E. c. Camp said the proposition
| recommended by the committee is entirely
one-sided and indefinite, while the other
(Wood's), is entirely in compliance with the
Lane plan, which is satisfactory to Knox
Vile He considered the explanation of
Robinson new proposition, hence the
matter is just where it was week or so
ago. He thought the action was too hasty,
and the matter should have further consid-
Grafton, and suggested that the meeting add
two committeeman to serve with the coun-
Gil committee.
! Mr. j. J. Atkins moved to add Messrs.
John S. VanGilder and W. W. Woodruff to
the committee, which motion prevailed
! Mr.. Jas. Comfort, attorney for Mr. Rob-
inson, asked permission for Col W. w.
Fleming, of Charlotte, N. c., associate at
! torney, who drew the contract, to make an
explanation, which was allowed Colonel
Fleming claimed that the proposition was
not complete in its details, but was drawn
up with view to the interests of the city,
and the further specifications and details
would be agreed upon if accepted The
only difference he could see was that Rob