The San Francisco call., 1898-01-30
REPLY OF ENGINEER
 D0cKWEiLER TO kBS RAGEES AFFIDAWT.
Made by His Former Sgb- ordinate

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 29.-City Engi- neer Dockweiler, who was yesterday made the subject of an affidavit by Abs Hagen, has given to The Call cor respondent the following clear and lucid signed statement as to the affair:
 In reference to the published affidavit of Abs Hagen, recently an employe of the city of Los Angeles as a subordinate in my office, I desire to make the following brief statement:
 Abs Hagen, in connection with the ether engineers, was employed by me to compile from official and water company data an estimate to enable me to place valuation on the Los Angeles City Water Works. In compliance with in- structions received from me and working under my personal supervision, Abs Hagen assisted in the compilation of the report now on file in the office of the City Clerk of Los Angeles.
 In the affidavit mentioned Abs Hagen states that l visited the work only three times. This statement Is absolutely false I kept myself fully informed as to the progress of the work and felt in no wise obligated to report to Abs Hagen or any other of my subordinate engi- neers.
 In characterizing the report submitted by me to the City Council as being es- sentially his own work. MT. Abs Hagen is correct, in so far as the work was done under my instructions and passed under my personal supervision and nnai review in my capacity as city engineer
 In reference to the allegation made by in consultation with him, reviewed the itemiZed estimates and insisted upon raising the figures therein contained thereby increasing the amount of the to- tai estimate $lS6.0O0 over and above the alleged true estimate" previously made by MT. Abs Hagen, l have only to say that there was no estimate until my re- port as city engineer was filed.
 In response to Mir. Abs Hagen'S state ment that l brought forth no good reason for such increase of figures have only to say that the increase fixed by me and incorporated in my final report to the City Council speaks for itself, and is a matter of public record. l saw no neces- Sity at the time, nor do l now see any reason for making a detailed explanation of my actions to Mir Abs Hagen or any other of my subordinate engineers. will further state that the increase was in my judgment, made as a matter of equity and simple justice to the water company and in the line of my duty as a servant of the people of Los Angeles City.
 Reference to my report to the City Council will verify the statement that my figures, as submitted, will show reduc- tion of $1 .S09 345 on the valuation of $5.- GOO, 900 as fixed by the water company as its valuation of the Los Angeles City water plant.
 Reference to my report will reveal the fact that the deductions from the figures by courtesy designated as Abs Hagen's- plus the other items in the schedule of in- Creased valuation, reduces the sum total of total increase to $23. .4S0. which amount plus 10 per cent for contingencies, makes a sum total increase of Sl26. .965 every item of which is legitimate and just from an engineers standpoint.
 The allegation made by Abs Hagen that l consulted with MT. Mulholland, super fntendent of the water company. and with ex-Cfty Engineer Fred Eaton. is cor rect. l consulted with each of the gen. tlemen named in my official capacity as city engineer, to the end that l might acquire such expert testimony as would place me in a position to best conserve the interests of the city.
 In this relation l desire to emphasize the fact that MT. Abs Hagen was himself in constant communication with MT. Mul. holland, circumstance rendered imper- atlve by the complex and intricate nature Of the work in hand, fact which will be atteSted by every competent engineer. By way of addenda I will add that Mir Abs Hagen exceeded his authority as my subordinate in consulting with MT Perry the president of the Los Angeles Water Company, at the latter-s residence. rela- tive to matters which properly belonged to the city of Los Angeles These facts coming to my notice after the filing ot the report, influenced me to dispense with the services of MT. Abs Hagen
 The report, as made by me to the City , Council, is matter of record. It is mi mute as to detail and is the best. in fac; the only legitimate answer to the idle vaporings of MT. Abs Hagen
 tSlgned) J. II. DOCKWEILER
 City Engineer