The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-12

as will increase the pumps TO the full carrying
capacity OF the mains leading to the city and
the reservoir.
Tenth No one can doubt that pump house.
should be as nearly IRE proof as possible. but
since the Spring Hill water Company has kept
the city dependent upon wooden shelter for
their plant during the whole time it has been in
existence, 1t could hardly have been expected
that in making an addition to this house for
temporary purposes . different character OF
building should have been adopted. It should
be borne in mind in this connection that the
city has not ret come into the possession OF the
Spring Hin pant ana that the building could
not have been changed even If on the whole 1t
had seemed desirable.
Before closing wish to respectfully invite
the councils attention to the fact that during
the whole construction of this work there has not
been single man employed from first to last
In setting the machinery or laying the pipes
who was OF my choosing or who had any rea-
son, except that which may have come from his
own sense of honor. to regard my wishes or my
plans Also that during almost the whole week
beginning July % man was unwittingly al
lowed to assume direction of the work, which,
according to . newspaper article TO which
have previously referred, he had already pro-
nounced q failure. This same man started the
pumps on their first trial without any one be-
any opportunity being given for such repre-
sentative to be present. Following this with
In two days, and before Mr.. Kelly, who took
charge the day following the first start OF the
pumps, had had time to do those things that
had been left undone, and to make such modih-
cations as seemed to US desirable-even before
be had had time to adjust the steam valves,
came the appointment of committee OF engi-
neers TO examine and report upon plant, and
then during the whole examination. the man
TO whom every mistake, even Of q workman,
and Of however q trivial nature, is sought TO be
attached. was wholly ignored, and the commit
tee was left to grope in the dark as to the rea-
sons for doing or not doing certain things.
That the committee would End nothing to
praise under such circumstances was foregone
conclusion: that they found SO little to blame
and when it was found it should be of such an
insignificant nature. it is high compliment to
the plant
Idefy any one to match this case with paral-
lei from the whole history OF engineering.
And now that the examination is over. what
do we know. and what does the public know, a.
to the capacity of the plant, which they did not
know before? Was any test or examination
made to determine whether or not the pumps
are experimenting the old plant, so as to keep
the CITY in water and the reservoir full at all
times? This is the thing about which the pubic
was interested. and not whether some valve
steam dome or q steam drum would give the
dryest steam. They want TO know how the bat
tie az q whole is going and NOT whether some
skirmish line has advanced fallen back or been
gobbled up. They want to know, not whether q
skirmish can be entrusted to this lieutenant, or,
perchance, to that corporal but is q favorable
outcome of the battle to be expected on the
lines laid down? There is such thing as be-
coming SO engrossed in details that the broad
plan of campaign goes unperceived, and the
battle is lost.
also desire to call the attention of the coun-
Gil and Of His Honor the mayor, to the further
fact that during the whole time that this war
fare has been going on have not been invited
by any one, not even by the council, for one
word of explanation, justification or defense
No member of the committee of engineers came
to me about the plant or anything else. was
not informed when the committee would meet,
or requested to be present at the examination,
Notwithstanding that His Honor Mayor White
had secured the introduction of something TO
that effect as q part of the action appointing
the committee.
The proposition made by Alderman Walling-
ford on Last Friday night, that the report of the
committee be referred to me was not acted
upon. On Saturday morning I met some OF the
aldermen and asked them IL wes not to be
given an opportunity to have something TO say,
and was assured by them that / Of course had
noon papers that would make Q report upon
this subject.
In this mornings issue OF the paper, which
has headed the public attacks upon me, am
called upon to explain with reference to the
pumping plant, and am by.innuendo charged
with being party to job and am kindly in
formed that my reputation is at stake.
This is the first call from any source for an
explanation, and its sequence with reference 10
the public announcement that was going to
make report on my own motion, whether or
no, is very significant. 1t would be exceedingly
convenient to place me in the light Of having
an explanation dragged out of me instead of
having TO force 1t on TO others.
II Is also significant that collection OF facts,
made few days since by the reporter OF q daily
Journal, which would have tended to place me
III better light before the public, should have
that journal when presented Tor publication.
know nothing of the exigences of politics,
or OF the existence OF any political ring in the
CITY OF seattle tnas may nave some large ak to
SIiuu Dut uO KNOW something Oh the metnOuS