Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-08-12
Mr.. Robertson's Attack on the
Crematory Committee.
OBJECTED TO FILTH DESTROYER
Said ltlsn't Built According to
the Contract.


without objection, for when the report
OF the crematory committee together
with that of ths company concerning
the final Test Of the new crematory was
presented Mr.. Robertson of the Fifth
ward appeared in battle array aud threw
down the gauntler TO members of the
cromatory committee, holding that tho
crematory was not up to the contract
The side OF the committee was cham
pioned by MIR. Smith of the Eleventh
ward, who with Mr.. Robertson occupied
the floor good deal Of the time. Tho
report recited tho result of the final
test, showing total OF Ill, 6T5 pounds
of garbage consumed in Is hours. Tho
contract called for. the consumption of
80 tons in q hours at an expense of not
more than 81 cents a ton. The COM
pany's communication declared that tho
required quantity could baye been con
sumed bad the garbage been at hand.
The report of tim committee simply
endorsed that of the company and was
signed by all the members OF the COM
mitteo. Mr.. Healey, it's chairman,
moved that the report he adopted and
an ORDER drawn in favor of the Dixon
company for $4,000. MIR. Robertson
had the clerk read the figures again
as to tho amount Of garbage consumed,
which was littie moro than IS tons.
lie then went GU 10 say that the frat
test was unsatisfactory and the second
test given tho next day was also unsat-
isfaCtory. The third test was given as
reported hut he declared that the report
showed nothing about the amount Of
coal used and was incorrect as to tho
time, which he held 10 he about 20
hours. The spaRkar endeavorel to sub
| stantiate his statement cirCunstantially
as to the time occupied and figured out
that the coat of the consumption was
AIT cents ton. He was oppose 10
paying for an so ton crematory whsn
the city was getting only co ton
crematory. He admitted that it waH
a good crematory, but held that it did
not do the amount of work required,
and threw down the gauntlet which no
wished the company or the committee
would take IN. He suggested the ap.
pointment Of three persons to make
test, which he declared would show
the correctness Of his figures.
Messrs. Smith and Heeley we're both
on their feet as soon as Mr.. Robertson
ceased speaking, hut Mr.. Healay was
recognized. lie asked for the reading
Of the renort for the information of
Mr.. Robertson. Tho dstailed report was
then read, showing that 10 tons and
l,G75 pounds had been consumed. ii, 200
pounds of coal used, and with three
men for Is hours at 10 cents an hour
the cost was 3! cents ton.
Mr.. Oherly said that it was garbage
for three and half days.
Mr.. Robertson then declared that the
garbage had been drained before cremat-
ing and he held that all should have
been consumed. lie insisted on his
| statement as to the necessity for four
men to do the work properly and nut
| their pay at 81 a day instead of 81. so,
as given 10 the report He exclaimed
| that the city will sec that the IS, 500
appropriated for running the creamtory
will be 81, 600 short
Then Mr.. Smith took the floor in
| reply 10 MIR. Robertson. He said that
| Mr.. Robertson seemed to have some
| spite against the Dixon company. lie
| had watched the cremRtury from its
foundation. He declared that il had not
been jobberv as the one four years
ago was; everything had been above
board, and the report could be sub
sHntiated by aiiidavits. "And / for
against his Urea {, "can take affidavit
that that report is correct" He too
| favored economy and care ia dsnosing
% the public money. lie attacked Mr..
| Robertson statement as TO the cost OF
| the labor at the creraatory. He dai;sd
any man 10 show that the cremalory
was not up to contract AS TO the gar
bage he said il was the worst kind. As
to draining the garbage, he said 1t had
always been drained. The contract was
not TO evaporate water but to cremata
garbage. Tho company had completed
the contract and was reauy to stand by
it with bond which Council can hold
thnm on.
Mr.. Robertson again took the floor
/ and insisted on his former representa-
tions and suggested another test, in
which no would have two 10 weigh the
coal and two 10 weigh the garbage
AS the superintendent Of the crsina
tory did tho Weighing at the test Mr..
Smith took tins as reflection upon
that official, but MIR. Roberteon denied
meaning any reflection. Mr. Smith do.
clared for himself that his reputation
and honesty could not be bought for
g. 20 Mr.. hobertson's figure for coal
per ton. The company had built one
OF tho hest, most economical and sani-
tary cromatnriea he had ever Rsen. 1t
had built it as an advertisements in tho
Eastern States. AZ 70 the proposal for
anuther test, he treated that as re-
Fiction upon the members OF the CON
mitIee, of which he was one. Mrs
Robertson waited to say something
there, but Mr.. Smith would not yield
the floor and thnn Mr.. O'Neil came to
his feet on a question Of privilege, with
the remark that tho two gentlemen
1essrs Robertson and Smith ought
not TO occupy the floor the whole even
ing. Mr.. smith said he would not and
went on to declare that il the membsrs
of tho committee were not honest they
were not worthy 10 sit in Council and
conduct business for the citizens OF
Wilmington. don't want to be here, -
he said, "if | can't he trusted. y
Neither did he dispute the honesty and
sincerity OF MIR. Robertson in the
matter but was sorry hB doubted the
sincerity and honesty Of tho committee.
lie would he perfectly satisfied with the
commission To make another test, but
the Councilmun had already given much
valuable time TO the city.
Mr. Leary thought Mr.. Robertson
should have presented figures to dis
prove the report if he wished To oppose
1t, fur his objection would tend to affect
tho character Of the crematury com.
mittee.
Mr. Watson. tho Republican member
of tho committee, spoke in favor OF the
crematnry.
President Leitch had previously
shown a disposition TO limit the debate.