The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-10-01
CITY COUNCIL.
The Electric Light Plant Engineer Wills
Bears Bulk OF Bxpenss-City to Buy the
steel Flrifne

At the request of the Light Committee
a meeting of the City Council was held
Friday night To take steps To make re-
pairs ON the Electric Light Plant. and to
decide who was responsible for the dam
are incurred by the late accident.
Mayor Willis presided aud Councilmen
Cole. Bradley. Rowe. McCracken, Jones,
Imrkamp. Perry and Bradford were
present. There werealso present Messrs
Edward j. Willis of Richmond, engineer
of the Electric Light Plant, W. W.
Samuels. of kngsbury, Samuels& Co, Of
Baltimore. and st. George Il Fitzhugh
counsel for the city MIR. McCracken
made a statement of the break IN the
plant. which is familiar To our readers.
and asked that Engineer Willis be heard.
Mr. Willis said the break was caused by
the settling of the made earth over which
was the concretcd head race and the
damage would reach about $1,000.
That he. as engineer. did not attach
blame to either Mr. Livingston or kings
bury. Samuels \ Co., thecontractors, and
while there wasno legal responsibility ON
him he felt that there was moral re-
sponsihlity for the accident. and that u
the city would buy and pay Tor putting
in steel hume he would make all other
repairs He estimated the Aume viii
cost II 900 in position and the other
work s. coo.
Mr.. Fitzhugh was asked 10 make a
statement as to the legal aspect OF the
case. He said that Mr. Livingston had
performed his work under the direction
OF Engineer Willis and TO his satisfaction
and that no legal responsibility rested
with him. Now said he this eliminates
Livingston How does il stand between
Willis and the Getty? In my Judgment the
city has no legal or moral claim ON Liv-
ingston and NO legal claim ON Willis. but
there is "A moral claim ON Willis which he
has recognized and the best thing the
Council can do is To accept Mr. Willis
oner aud go ahead at once with the
necessary repairs
Mr.. McCrarkcn then asked that Mr..
Fitzhugh prepare and offer resolu-
ton covering the whole question. Mr.
Bradley suggested that 10 would look
better for Nr. iitzhugh to prepare the
resolution and "a member OF the commit
tee 10 offer it that MIR. Fitzhugh, not be-
inc "a member. had mo- right 20 " oiicr
The resolution. that 10 would look like
MIR Fitzhugh was running thetouncii
MIR. Fitzhugh laughingly remarked that
If he was accused of running the Council
he would sue for libel. This caused much
amusement This resolution was then
prepared by Mr. Iitzhugh and offered by
Mr.. Jones
Whereas. 10 has been represented 90
the Council that the wash-out at the
Electric Light Plant was occasioned 10y
the settling of the earth beneath the con
crete head race intended to transmit the
water from the head-Water of the canal
To- the Electric Light Plant. and whereas.
Mr.. Willis. the engineer, while dlsclalm-
inc AN legal liability for said damage.
has voluntarily offered 20 said Council 10
bear mo his own expense all OF the eN-
peuSe 20 repair said damage, except the
cost of a metal ilume 10 transmit sali
water and the cost of the gate TO be
erected at the hoad-water OF the canal
and the cost 90 placing said metal iiulne
i'm position and connecting the same with
the power house. il Is
Resolved hv the Council. That SAID
offer of Mr. Willis be accepted, aud the
Council hereby directs the ] ight commit
tee % procure. under the direction oil
NJ Willis a suitable metal ilumc Tor the
purpoSc aforesaid. and to erect under
said direction proper gate.
Mr. Bradley said The proposition oh
Mr.. Willis is more than liberal aud II Is
something unusuol in these days when
sell occupies a front seat.
Mr. McCracken said "The proposition
is the most liberal ever presented To TINS
Council and move a recorded note DE
taken. This was done and unanimously
adopted.
The Council then adjourned