The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-01
DEFECTS IN DRAINAGE WORK.
COUNCIL TO INVESTIGATE CHARGES
PREFERRED BY ENGINEERS.

Engineers Craig, Thomas and suS-
Gen, Who Charged That Defective
Material and Bad Workmanship
Mere Employed, VIII BE Asked to
Appear Before Council Next Week.
Consulting Engineers Will Also
BE Notwithstanding That the In
NestigatiOn VIII Be Public.
The City Council adopted a resolution
last night providing for an investigation
of the charges of defective work in that
portion of the house drainage work COM
peted last year. It is provided that the
Mayor call a special meeting next week
for the purpose of the investigation, and
that Engineers Craig, Thomas and Sugden,
who preferred the charges, as we'll as the
engineers in charge of the work, be noti-
fed to appear
Some three or four months ago the en-
gineers sent a communication TO Coun-
Gil suggesting that defects discovered in
the work warranted an investigation, both
as 10 the material used and the charac-
ter of the workmanship. 1t was alleged
that pipes in several places had burst al
lowing water to percolate to the surface
of streets, while in other instances they
had been left open at the ends, thereby
allowing distractions to enter. This was
attributed TO improper inspection by the
city's consulting engineers and as
remedy, the petitioners sug-
gested that a sufficient num-
Der Of inspectors be appointed to see
that the work is properly done.
The investigation was indefinitely de-
layed. In a communication published IN
the Morning News recently, the petitioners
urged that their complaint be considered
and this was followed by an editorial sug-
gestion that the charges should be dis
posed of one way or the other. With this
in view, Alderman Duncan introduced the
following resolution:
Whereas, a communicated was pre-
scented to the City Council some time ago
by local engineers, making charges of de-
fective work in the house drainage sys-
TEN, consideration Of which has been de-
Iayed in consequence of the absence of the
| engineers;
Therefore, be it resolved, That Council
give a hearing to the gentlemen making
the charges at a meeting TO be called at
such lime during the ensuing week as the
Mayor may deem proper. The engineers
in charge of the work shall be present
at this meeting"
AS the charges have not been made in
a specific manner. it is unknown just how
the investigation viii be conducted. While
| the complaint is understood to refer to de-
| fective work and also the acceptance Of
! defective material, the lack of specifica-
tons may make it difficult for the engl-
neers in charge to defend themselves. They
| Will probably want the charges reduced to
a specific form, so they may know the
! character of proof they will be expected
| to adduce.
Il suppose the hearing will be in open
| meeting sad Alderman Duncan. 1T has
| not been decided how the investigation viii
! be conducted but this will be determined
! before the special meeting is called. In
| all probability there will be little for
| mality. The petitioners viii be asked to
! tell what they know about defective work,
| after which the consulting engineers will.
| be allowed to tell their side. 1t is Coun-
| CHS desire to know what defective work
has been done. The Investigation asked
for would have been held long ago, had
Warning, Chapman & Farquhar been rep
/ resented in the city. 1t would have been
manifestly unfair, however, 30 have in
vestlgated charges affecting their
services without giving them an oppor-
| tunity to appear. Now that Mr. Chap
man is here, the matter will be taken up,
end the merits of the charges speedily de-
| termined."
Alderman Owens was asked as to how
the investigation would be conducted. He
! said it would probably be In open Coun-
/ ell The petitioners will first be heard,
and then the engineers. When the reso.
luton was offered Alderman Owens desired
il specifically stated that the consulting
engineers were 10 be present. He doubt
less feels the work has been properly exc
cuted, and the defects if any, are due to
causes which can be satisfactorily ex-
| piained.
If the charges are proven, it is not APP
! parent just how 1t will affect the con
sulting engineers. AS is known, the drain
age work has been resumed under the SUI
| pervision Of Mr.. Chapman, and that por-
ton mapped out for completion the first
year is being pushed along. 1t is not
probable Council. viii break into the work
at this time.