The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-10
EXPERT HILLS REPORT
FAVORABLE ONE ON WATER WORKS
PLANT TO BE MADE NEXT WEEK.
Exception to New Pumping Engine,
HOwever-W. b. HOrd in
Town Recently.

John w. Hill, Cincinnati expert, en-
gagged by the city administration to in
vestigate the physical features of the water
works, will report the result of his ex-
animation at the meeting of the Board of
Public Works either on Monday morning or
Wednesday morning. Though the examina-
ton has been made under a veil of secrecy
statements that have leaked out go to show
that the report will be a favorable one,
with the exception of that part pertaining
to the new engine at the Riverside pump
ing station The test of this engine showed
that it could not maintain high rate of
speed for the time it should. Mr.. Hills re-
port will not deal with the advisability of
the city purchasing the water works,
though he will discuss the probable future
water supply which the present plant will
be capable of giving to the city. The con-
dition of the mains, pumping engines, wells
and all the mechanical features of the
water works will be judged in detail in the
experts report The report will also con-
tain the result of City Sanitarian Clarks
tests of water from the mains, galleries
and wells. This report is known to be very
favorable.
The higher city officials do not talk aloud
about the probability of buying the water
works. Mayor Taggart, when asked about
the matter, smiles, as usual, and replies,
"Well, of course, we'll have to wait for
Mr.. Hills report. Until he tells us what the
condition of the water plant is there is
nothing to say about after matters.
Controller Johnson says nothing about the
matter except that it will be necessary to
borrow 100000 to make the first cash pay
ment. Part of the plan to buy the water
works stipulates that the yearly hydrant
rental shall be increased to $12O, 900. The city
is now paying $4,000 a year for hydrant
rentals, and it is, perhaps, significant that,
in the estimates of the city's expenses for
next year. handed to the Council by Con-
troller Johnson Wednesday night, is con-
tanned, Water, $S5 Goo" No provision has
been made in this estimate for increasing
the hydrant rental.
There are those who scott at serious men,
ton of buying the water works. 1t is all
joke they say. They have seen similar prop
ositions before and they all came to moth
ing, they point out, and, besides, the prOpo-
sition now in hand gives all the advantage
to the water works company and the city S
end is a very, very short one.
William B. HOrd, a New York attorney,
who, acting for the Eastern capitalists who
own the water works, submitted the prOpO-
sition, for its sale to the city, was here a
family. He had business in Cincinnati and
made this a stop-over point. His visit had
nothing to do with the water works matter.
Mayor Taggart had short talk with him,
but there was nothing said, according to
the mayor, about the proposed water works
deal, because the city administration is de-
pending on Expert Hill to advise it whether
it would, in purchasing the plant, get some
thing substantial for it's money or an old
WORKOUT plant that would have to be re-
modelled in a few years to meet the grow
ing demands of the city.