The herald., 1898-01-31
Eneineer Dockweiler Replies

To the Editor of the Los Angeles Herald:
In reference to the published affidavit OF
Mr.. Abs Hagen, recently an employe or
the city of Los Angeles as subordinate
in my office l desire to make the follow
ing brief statement:
Mr.. Abs Hagen, in connection with other
engineers, was employed by me to COM
pile from official and Water company data
an estimate to enable me to place valu-
alton on the Los Angeles city Water
Works In compliance with instructions
received from me. and working under my
personal supervision, Mr.. Abs Hagen as
sisted in the compilation of the report now
on file in the office of the city clerk OF Los
Angeles city.
In the affidavit above mentioned Mr.. Abs
Hagen states that l visited the work only
three times. This statement is absolutely
false l kept myself fully informed as to
the progress of the work and felt in no wise
obligated to report to Mr.. ABS Hagen or
any other of my subordinate engineers.
In characterizing the report submitted
by me to the city council as being essen
TALLY his own work, Mr.. Abs Hagen is
correct, in SO far as the work was done
under my instructions and passed under
my personal supervision and final review
in my capacity as city engineer.
In reference to the allegation made by
Mr. Abs Hagen that on July %, 1897 /, in
consultation WIFI ulHl, TeNtGWcu tnc itchi-
ized estimates and insisted upon raising
the figures therein contained, thereby in
creasing the amount of the total estimate
$lS6 900 over and above the alleged true es-
innate" previously made by Mr.. Abs Ha-
gen, l have only to say that there was no
estimate until my report as city engineer
was filed.
In response to Mr. Abs Hagen's state
ment that brought forth no good reason
for q Of fipnraS I have Only TO
say that the increase fixed by me and in
corporated in my final report to the city
council speaks for itself and is a matter of
public record | saw no necessity at the
time NOR do l now see any reason for
making a detailed explanation of my ac-
tions to Mr. Abs Hagen or any other OF
my subordinate engineers.
1 will further state that the increase was,
in my judgment, made as 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 coun-
Gil will verify the statement that my ng-
ures, as submitted, will show reduction
of s., 800 ,345 on the sum of $3,0OO,OOO as nxed
by the Water company as their valuation
of the Los Angeles city water plant.
Reference to my report will reveal the
fact that the deductions from the ngures-
by courtesy designated as Mr. ADS ma
ens-plus the additions in otner lteHs III
the schedule of increased valuation, re-
duces the sum total of increase to VS.
which amount, plus 10 per cent for con-
tingencies, makes a sum total increase OF
s126. .9e5. every item of which Is legitimate
and lust from an engineers STANDPOINT.
The allegation made by Mr.. ABS hagen
that 7 consulted with Mr. Mulhoiland' su-
nerintendent of the Water company ana
with ex-City Engineer Fred Eaton is cor
rect. I consulted with each OF the gentie-
men named in my official capacity as city
engineer. to the end that might acquire
such expert testimony as would place me
In nosition to best conserve the interests
of the city.
Tn this relation, I desire to emphasize the
fact that Mr.. Abs Hagen was himself In
Constant communication with Mr.. Mulhol-
land. a circumstance rendered imperative
bv the complex and intricate nature OF the
work in hand, a fact which will be attested
NV every competent engineer.
nv way of addendum. | will add that
Mr. Abs Hagen exceeded his authority, as
NV subordinate, in consulting with Mr..
Perry the president of the Los Angeles
wafer company, at the latter's residence
relative to matters which properly be-
loneed to the city of Los Angeles. These
facts. coming to my notice after the filing
Of the report, influenced me to dispense
with the services of Mr.. Abs Hagen.