The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-04
SUDDEN ON DRAINAGE WORK,
SAYS HE QUIETLY OBSERVED A
FEW THINGS ON HIS OWN HOOK.

With Few Exceptions, Members of
Work Notwithstanding Objection
Based on the Belief That the En-
gineers Are Not Prompted by the
Proper MOdves-Supervfsing En-
gineer Chapman Can't Reconcile
Engineers Request with Their
Application to Be Appointed In
spcctOrs.
Cross firing in the house drainage inves-
tigation has already begun. AS one of the
results there promises to be a thorough
examination of the alleged weak points of
the work done last year, which viii be
covered by specifications which Engineers
Craig, Thomas and Sugden say they will
file with Council at the proper time.
The aldermen are becoming interested in
the matter, and with few exceptions, say
they desire the facts brought out. If the
drainage work has been improperly ex-
ecuted, if material not up to the specifica-
lions has been used, they say its their
desire to know it, They are not willing
for the engineers to bear whatever ex-
pense may be attached to the work. but
say the city must do it.
IAN investigation will probably not lead
to any radical changes in the house drain
age work" said Alderman Thomas yester-
day. but / favor it for several reasons
One is it will keep the city's consulting
engineers from again falling into such
mistakes as may be proven Second, 1t will
give the city knowledge of defects it can
I,rv To- a.
age for the city to know of defects in the
work of former contractors, which can
then be charged up to them"
Engineer Percy Sugden, who states he
has made Investigations that has revealed
facts ii will be interesting for Council to
know, discussed his position on the matter
with a Morning News man yesterday He
said:
Il have noticed that members OF the
drainage committee have been interviewed
in reference 10 the defective work done
last year on the house drainage, and as my
name has been used quite freely, l must
ask your kind indulgence to say something
in my defense.
Alderman Owens is evidently trying his
hand at a game of freeze out, and is try
ing to bluff US out of the game. I would
like to inform him that / have already
gone to some expense myself personally in
mixing inspections OF the sewers In or
der 10 be thoroughly posted on the condi-
ton Of the work. VIII the city compen-
safe me for that expense if I show up
any defects? Re wants cold statements.
l can give him some facts.
Il notice Alderman Owens says the work
done last year has not been accepted but
IL has been paid for and the engineers
have collected their fees. Who is to be
held respOnsible2 AS chairman Of the
drainage committee, he should have been
the first TO have he'd himself in readiness
to nave given US an impartial hearing. In
stead he has taken every opportunity TO
question the honesty Of our efforts and TO
deny, on every possible occasion, that de-
fective work could exist. His attitude all
along has been quite out Of keeping with
the responsible position he holds and the
duty he owes the public II the work Is
as goods az he claims, why Is he afraid
10 have II Inspected?
81 notice that Alderman Davis makes
the statement that ] appeared before the
Council az one time for the purpose Of