The Iola register., 1900-04-27
SELECTING IN ENGINEER
Council Meets and Considers
the Qualifications Of
Candidates
GOODLY ARRAY Of TALENT
Five Men Apply With the Chances
Favorable to Mcdonnell, of Kansas
City-Armstrong Second.

The business OF the city of lola is
good deal like huge trumpet, and
the council having barely entered
into the mouth. piece the view widens
in every direction in front of them.
Last night they had set for the con-
sderation of the bids and qualifica-
tions of the engineers who are will
ing to make plans aud superintend
the construction of the water works
and electric lighting plants. There
was good material to select from,
amply qualified, and willing to give
value received for their money.
II. b. Hinckley, of Topeka, who
has done engineering work for the
Santa Fe and put in water-works at
Wamego and other points had as fine
endorsements as any OF the applicants.
engineer who was out here last week
and made an excellent impression,
was favorte somewhat, but his
proposition seemed to leave the coun-
Gil to struggle alone with the inn
mediate and vital question of the To-
cation and securing of a water supply.
He proposed also to come here him.
self but once a month and to leave the
direction mainly to his assistants.
These two facts weakened his cause,
although the council seemed to feel
the utmost confidence in his ability.
Is. f. Evans, of Newton, who was
here during the bond fight and sever
al times since, had handsome letters
from Newton parties stating that
his services at Newton had been en-
tirely satisfactory. His bid was
reasonably low, but it is possible that
the presence throughout the meeting
of young man understood to be
identified with Mr.. Evans, will not
prejudice the council in his favor.
The other applicants remained away
and did not hear their competitors
bids but this young man sat in the
doorway throughout the meeting.
To be sure it could effect nothing
either way but the fact nevertheless
was prejudicial to Mr.. Evans in
terests.
Mr.. Mcdonnell, of the Kansas City
firm Of Burns q Mcdonnell, was in
the city and his bid was rather a
favorite. His recommendations were
excellent, his bids reasonable, he pro-
posed to come here and stay here,
personally superint end the work from
start to finish, locate, test and meas
ure the water, give advice where
wanted on other subjects and in a
way make himself one of the city
officials in securing the best for the
money that the market affords. He
was summoned by the council to more
fully discuss his bid and increased
the good impression made He
showed that he was familiar with
today's markets in material, knew
where to dodge trust, and was a
specialist on water and electric
lights He is a young man, full OF
energy, not 80 remotely removed
from the schools as to have fallen in a
rut of personal faddism, and all in all,
up to the present time of writing
everything known about him made q
favorable impression.
Mr.. j. @. Armstrong was present at
the Invitation of the council and ex-
planned fully his brief bid to be made
city engineer. He talked well and
made an excellent impression. He is
the young man who has been the en-
gineer for the lola Portland Cement
Company in the erection of their
$1,000,0O0 plant. He has made the
plans followed in the erection of their
handsome water plant, their $l2, 900
electric lighting plant and the Install
ing of their massive machinery and
the erection of their mammoth build
ings. He Is a graduate of one of the
leading engineering schools of the
country, Is a civil and electric engin-
eer, and has made special study of
water and lights in this country and
Europe.
Mr.. Armstrong asked to be engaged
by the city at a monthly salary, TO
draw plans for everything wanted,
superintend the construction of the
same, give advice on all questions
and like Mr.. Mcdonnell personally see
that everything was done properly