The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1898-07-16
SUIT INSTITUTED
Against the Municipality by the
Consolidated Engineering
Company.

SSSV0 ~ TIC NOuSOlludtCu Engineer
ing Company of New Orleans t.
- enforce the payment of $1,000. O,
due said company as per contrac
for Water Works and Electric Ligh
- Plant. The suit is based upon tn,
refusal of the Council at its recen
meeting on July 7, to pay the
amount mentioned. 1t appears from
the record that on final acceptance
of the plant on the ed day Of April
last, the Council withheld $1,000. oc
of the amount due to secure the
completion of minor details about
the plant and machinery, and since
that date the unsatisfactory opera
ton of the boilers, etc., led to an
investigation by mechanical en-
yineer, Mr.. C.. A. Gaines who posi-
lively declares that "the condition
of the two boilers is exceedingly
bad and dangerous" and that ssthe
entire boiler plant is very cheap
and of very poor construction and
and should be torn out and rebuilt"
Upon this information the Council
passed a resolution refusing pay
ment and notifying the contract
ing company Of its liability in the
premises. Mayor Caffery and
Council show determination to
hold the company to strict
compliance with the terms
of the contract and doubtless will:
use all effo,ts to protect the interest
of the town.
The Consolidated Engineering !
Company through its agent Mr.. c. |
NJ. Pasquler instituted suit imme-
diately claiming the amount to be |
justly due owing to the acceptance
and approval of the work by the
Council and its supervising engineer
Attorney, Chas. A. O'Niel! of
Frankii,r and Judge Jno. Clegg of
New Orleans have been employed
by the company to represent its in
terest and Mayor Caffcry has been
authorized to secure Counsel in be-
half of the city.
The plant was constructed under
the superintendence of Mr.. Robt.
r.. Zell, mechanical engineer of
New Orleans who received $1,000
for his services in behalf of the
city. The plant was accepted upon
the recommendation of Mr.. Zell
who expressed entire satisfaction as
to the condition of the machln-
cry in particular. Mr.. Zell was re-
commended to the Council as a first
class mechanical engineer and upon
him the city auth orities placed i'm
olicit reliance. According to the
'ePort of Mr.. Gaines the entire
boiler plant is worthless and should
lever have been put into the plant d
he construction he also condemns
md recommends that the whole be "
torn out and rebuilt" Here very
plainly arises question as to the COM y
'etency and veracity of two gentle -
nen both of whom are considered ~
xperts in their profession. Whether =
here has been any collision and u
raud practiced upon the town is
weston tor the courts to decide.
advance of such decision no y
Plnlon is. expressed but if the Judi le
'al investigation should establish tn
'audulent practice, no cordemna- II
on Will be too servere. The Ga NJ
:tte expresses the sincere hope that or
'stlce be dealt impartially and or
Dove all that the interest of the M
ty be protected regardless of any
ersonal considerations. The public y
easury is too often considered an OF
'ject of plumber by public con- m;
actors and measures should not thu
ny De taken to conserve the pub 'at
interest, but the full penalty of ,
law should be administered to ,e
oSe who may be found guilty of