The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-23
THAT FIFTY HYD.ANr CONTRACT.

SEATTLE. Jan. -. 1874.
To TIE EpiroR: am glad 10 see this
matter taken up by the workers of the
city, as evidenced by their letter in your
issue o. today. They really are the parties
most directly interested in having Seattle
work done in Seattle.
Now that attention has been called to
this unwholesome-looking business, |
would suggest that the next steps TO be
taken are: First. that the city be enioined
from carrying ont the contract with the
Michigan Brass Company; and second.
that the mayor and council be desired to
probe the matter to the bottom. so that If
there is corruption about it the corrupt
parties may be clearly known.
Toward the expense of enjoining the
city shall be willing to contribute my
share. CITIZEN.
SEATTLE, Jan. -. 1894.
To THE EDITOR: This morning 's.issue
of the Posr INTELLIGENCE contains a let
ter signed by Iron Mouder and 9th
ers," In regard TO the purchase a few
days ago by the board of public works of
fifty hydrants and gates. There ere sew
eral misleading statements. which, if not
intentionally made, show ignorance on the
part of the writer.
First, the statement is made that there
were three responses to the call for bids,
and that the contract was awarded to the
highest bidder, viz: The Calvin. for
$50. Is. with freight added. As a matter of
fact. there were twelve bids for hydrants
i've of which were higher than the CALVIN.
ranging up 10 $50 Is for hydrants and gates
delivered in Seattle.
The statement is also made, THAT the
hydrant made by the Washington Iron
Works Company is q much better hydrant
| than the Calvin" That one statement
| will condemn the letter with any of your
| readers who know anything of hydrants.
| The Washington is q simple castiron stand
| pipe with hose nipples and one side gate,
and when it needs repairing water has to
! be shut off from q whole street before the
| repairs can be effected.
The Calvin, in addition to the side gate.
| has patent wedge gate on the inside of
| the hydrsnt, which enables the fremen TO
| obtain water more quickly, and II the
| hydrant gets out of repair the side gate
| can be shut and the repairs effected with
| out interfering with the rest of the service.
| have list of eighteen hydrants OF Sc
| attic manufacture that it Is necessary to
| have men 60 to every frosty morning 10
/ work the ice clear. so that water may be
! obtained in case Of fire. Every one of the
| Washin gton hyarants has a cake of ice IN
/ the bottom which rises as soon as water is
( turned on and must be got out before the
| hose can be attached. Ii has been neces-
/ sarv to put on additional men to keep the
/ hvdrauts in working order during cold
weather, and We have yet TO ind the first
/ GAVIN frozen.
! The board Of public works asked for my
| opinion and that OF Water Superintendent
! Cailigan of the different bids submitted.
/ While the Vuican Iron Works Company.
/ of this city. had the lowest bid for gate
hydrant (which is the only kind of
| hydrant / would recommend where the
pressure is as strong as il is in Seattel.
their hydrant was entirely on paper. and
while it MA be as good q hydrani as any
/ bid upon. | could not recommend the city
| TO expend s., 600 for what is in the nature
! of an experiment, both for the Vulcan
/ Iron Works Company and the city. Mr.
/ CalIigan joined me in my recommends
ton OF a gate hydrant in preference 10 a
/ compression hydrsnt or the standpipe
7 hydrant of the Washington Iron Works
| Company. A. b. HUM,
Chief OF Fire Department.
IA