San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-02-28


Alderman VIM. Hoefling should
entitle his forthcoming literary
brochure, "If Christ Came to the
City Government of San Antonio"
Alderman Robards contends
that the outlet sewers should be
constructed of concrete. Alderman
Beckmann insists that the proper
material to use is brick. Even
money will be wagered that Alder
man Beckman's choice prevails.
City Engineer Pancoast appears
to be tangling himself up in a
labyrinth of statements and
counter-statements which prom
ise to seriously compromise his
veracity as we'll as question his
engineering ability. His talks
sound very much like those OF a
man with a brick in his hat.
Shall the Monterey brick or the
Meusebach brick be used in the
sewers? To this complexion it
seems, has it come. Well, let us
have the sewers completed, regard
less OF whose brick are used.
The testimony OF those eminent
expert engineers, Messrs. q. M.
Gray and A. G. Pancoast, in the
late injunction suits will be the
rock upon which the contractors
will rest their claims in future
litigation with the city. They
could not have rendered stronger
or more unasailable evidence for
the contractors had they been re-
tanned as professional witnesses.
Alderman Beckman, figures out
that the present sewer fund is
ample to complete the undertaking
and leave a handsome surplus of
$4,000 or $4,000. 1t is self.evi-
dent that Alderman Beckmann,
in his Colonel Sellers Imagination,
has utterly overlooked the pay
roll of the engineers depart
ment.
Instead OF a surplus of $4,000
or 5000, as figured out by Alder
man Beckmann, the taxpayers of
San Antonio will indeed be for
tunate if they are not called upon
to vote an additional 100000 or
100000 to complete the sewers.
Clearly, Alderman Beckmann has
overlooked the cost of maintenance
of Mr.. Gray, Mr.. Pancoast and the
kindergarten in his items of ex-
pense.
Like Bre'r Rabbit, Alderman
Hoefling is "laying low and sayin'
nuffiin," but he is keeping up a pow
erful thinking, and it need create
no surprise II he explodes q bomb
in the not distant future which
will cause an uheaval in official
circles. Alderman Hoefling could
recite some very interesting rem
inescences anent the sewer scandal
II he were only so disposed, and
present indications tend to the
belief that he is very much so dis.
posed.
As a condition precedent to any
formal inquiry or investigation
into the sewer work, the commit
tee OF citizens should demand
that formal test of the work al
legged to have been completed be
made. The test should be the one
prescribed by the United States
government for all similar work
and suggested by John Kuefner.
Why should the contractors or the
city engineer object to such a test
being made?
No confidence is violated when
the belief Is asserted that the
personal as well as official relations
between those eminent reformers,
Alderman VIM. Hoefling and City
Engineer Abe Pancoast, appear
to be somewhat strained. The
former directly charges that the
latter "told lie to the mayor
about the brick, in Alderman
Beckmann's presence" and he
stood ready to substantiate the
charge by his own affidavit and
the testimony Of the two gentlemen
named. Back in Tennessee this
would be called "Chattanooga
talk" and suggest pistols, long
toddies and an early morning