The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-21
VALUE UNDER 100000
EXPERT HILLS REPORT ON THE WA
TER WORKS PLANT.
HOrd Proposition to Sell at $4,000, 900
City still in Dark
to Conditions.

John W. Hill, of Cincinnati, an expert en-
gagged by the Board of Public Works to ex-
anime the water works and give an opinion
which would aid the board to decide whether
or not the purchase of the plant would be
profitable for the city, arrived last night
from his home with his report. 1t was sub
mitted to Mayor Taggart last night. Will
liam B. Hord, an attorney of New York,
was employed by the Eastern capitalists
who own the Indianapolis water works to
make proposition to the city to sell the
water plant. Mayor Taggart has insisted
all along that no one would know the re-
suit of Mr.. Hills work until his report was
submitted to the Board of Public Works.
However, the. result of the report was
known beforehand, and it is probable that
Attorney Hord and the capitalists he is en-
played by were informed of what Mr.. Hill
was doing. A ell-formed plan has been
laid to cover over this leak. Mayor Tag
CART, City Controller Johnson, Expert Hill
and City Engineer Jeup declare that they
gave nothing out about Mr.. Hills investi-
cation. The mayor and the controller say
they have known nothing of it. The matter,
therefore, centers on City Engineer Jeup and
Expert Hill. Jeup and Mr.. Hill worked to-
gether. Mayor Taggart stated last night
that he would make an investigation to dis
cover who was guilty Of giving out informa-
ton of Mr.. Hills examination. Jeup was
at Cincinnati Monday night with Mr.. Hill
and he came back to this city yesterday
morning. 1t is believed he brought copy
of the main points of the report back with
him and gave them out in violation of the
promises of Mayor Taggart. Jeup denies
this. Mr.. Hill says he told no one of what
he was doing. Attorney Hord was in the
city few weeks ago and saw Mayor Tag
CART. 1t is supposed Hord has been caring
for the interests of his employers as Mr..
Hills investigation progressed.
STILL IN THE DARK.
In his report Mr.. Hill does not express an
opinion as to whether the water works
would be a favorable purchase for the city
to make. He simply sets out the condition
of the water plant and tells the Board of
Public Works, whose skill in such matters
he places confidence in, not being resi-
dent of Indianapolis, to draw its own con-
illusions. Mr.. Hill refused last night to give
his personal opinion Of the advisability of
buying the water plant. He said he would
wait until the board had formed it's opinion
and then if its opinion conceded with his
he would cay So if not he would keep his
opinion to himself. Therefore Mr.. Hill has
neither advised the city to buy the plant nor
not to buy the plant 1t may be somewhat
difficult to discover what Mr.. Hill has done
that will be of value to the city. The Board
of Public Works knows no more about
water plants than it does about park sys-
TENS Yet the city is to pay Mr.. Hill for his
work $50 a day for the first ten days and $50
a day for every day thereafter. His fee will
be 81 800 at the lowest calculation. One of
the significant features of Mr.. Hills report
is that he values the plant at 81. S06. $50. OIL and
says:
"This value is upon the assumption that
there has been no deterioration, wear or
depreciation in value of any portion of the
property. While this is almost true of GER
tain structures, it is not true of buildings
machinery, pipes, valves, hydrants, dams
and other details which are constantly being
impaired, or which as time progresses, be-
come obsolete and no longer profitable to
uSe.''
The Hord proposition offers the plant to
the city for $3.5000O0. There Is only mil
lion and half dollars difference between
the two prices.
DETAILS OF VALUATION.
The details in Mr.. Hills valuation Of the