The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-09-28

0THER important matters are foucheo
OF In Mr. Thomson's letter which 10
full Of interest Among these 10 the
consolidated street railway franchise. which
he discussed briefly with the Boston capt.
talists who have purchased three OF the
Seattle lines. Mr.. Thomson's letter 70 In
full a. follows:
MY Dear Mr.. James: I have been hav-
tng very serious controversies with the
makers 81 our steel pipes over the question
cleaned prior to their coating and being
coated according to contract. just a. the
time that our dispute had gotten very bit
ter the statement was made that the steel
plates 20 cease until certain other orders
so.as to .sS rs; ,sn mo Gs' for sas sq Sal
amour, Of steel With ours, should have
would delay the delivery Of our pipes more
than twelve months and delay the compls-
ton Of our system an equally long time.
makers Of my purpose. Mr. Gillespie the
real contractor Tor tho manufacture OF our
pipes. was then for the nrst time made fully
acquainted With n. condition and state Of
he Immediately took hold OF tho matters
with astonishing Ogor. ana left no None
unturned until matters were set right. He
H. the president OF the steel trust. and made
an emphatic and positive demand for tho
cancellation 81 the order stopping the de-
livery 81 our sheets. and 90 hung TO the
proposition that before reached the East
tho order had been cancelled and the delv-
cry Of the sheets was being made az before.
VIII Get ripe as Wanted.
Upon my arrival the other matters OF
manufacture were taken up, and when the
dlHfcuity was made clear 70 Mr.. Gllespies
mind ~ that ne fully comprehended the
intent and purpose OF tho specifications. he
car.ed tho process Of manufacture TO be 20
changed "a 20 produce the pipe as he want:
cd II. THIS kept me A. Pittsbury severnl
the Eas, while to see that everything
proceeded properly. and that there was no
recall made with reference TO our supply
az steel
Co'ns over their brick pavenents. bridges
and other improvements relative 10 the
department 81 public works. I next spent
three days In Washington city with old
saw their streets or not. but I know that
7 saw the friends Next I epert n day In
Baltimore. ! wishei very much that you
were with mo In Baltimore and from then
on In my trip. Ralt'more IN spending an
even 81 600 GO in laying down underground
eonduits for all kinds ~ classes ~ electric
deel Of money. but from what have secn
throughout the Fast I am satisfied she ID
pursuing The nsht and proper policy
plans and specifications and have an ciab-
crate report prepared for the city Mt the
EXPENSE - many thousands OF dollars
which will bring home with mo. This
I. tho city however. which our council
ought TO visit and take pointers from a.
~ docks railway terminals. overhead
crossings and electric subwsys. etc.
Two Days In Philadelphia.
II went next 10 Philadelphia, where I
spent two DAYS. A large part 81 the time
was taken up with Mr. John G. Trautwtne.
chief ~ the water department. ana con-
siderable time with Chief Walker, NJ the
electrical subway department.. Fhiladel-
phia took hold ~ the underground wire
proposition at n late date. but she has In
the ground great deal OF tubing and re-
ceiv~~ . rental ~ about cents per linear
foot of a-ineh duct per year, or 500 per
wire per year per duct. and ~ as much as
three wires are taken into continuous duct
Nv thu same company. the rate IL made
$40 Ter wire Ter duct
Next I went 10 New York whore !
have spent a';ogcther four days. Here