Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-05-24
FRIDAY, MAY 81, 1901.
THE WATER WORKS,

The committee has made some notable
progress since last week, having let the
contract of laying the pipe to Mr.. Lucian
n. Taylor of Worcester, Mass.
The REGISTER believes Mr.. Taylor a
good party to deal with in this matter,
as first, he is an old soldier, and looks
and acts like a square man, and second,
which is very much to the point, he
put In the water works at Waterbury,
St. Adams and st. Jonsbury, and it is
understood that the work in all these
places was very satisfactory.
The REGISTER understands the price
for digging, laying and covering, aver
ages about 1925 per rod in dirt with
four feet cover, and $3.50 per cubic yard
for rock excavation, and it is supposed
that the total amount will come within
ten thousand dollars. The committee
decided to take the southern route from
the brook, thus avoiding interfering with
the highway with expenses and damages
incident thereto. This will make quite
a saving, and is in every way, as the
REGISTER has before suggested, desir-
able.
The only question of Importance re-
naming is that of supervision by COM
petent engineer to see that the Job in all
respects is properly done. Mr.. Bryant
of the committee has been very anxious
all the time to employ the high-priced
city engineer, but the other members of
the committee, as they inform US, have
been equally anxious to have Mr..
Mcintyre of Randolph, a man as we be-
lieve better qualified for an undertaking
of this kind than any engineer who could
be secured in distant city. But Mr.. Bry-
ant had managed so well In the matter,
accident also perhaps somewhat favoring
him, that he had about persuaded the
committee to close contract with the
Boston engineer at $500 for the job.
AT this moment an offer was made by
joseph Battell, who had been introduced
by Mr.. Cushman. that if the services of
Mr.. Mcintyre were employe he would
pay himself the whole bill, thus saving
the town $500, more or less, and, as
the REGISTER believes, much more
than that, because of the more econ
Omcal management. 1t must be re-
membered that 1t was Mr.. Mcintyre who
advised the southern or old road route
by the brook, and the Boston engineer
who advised using the present highway.
This bad blunder of using the present
highway was only prevented by surveys
made by the REGISTER, and a large sum
of money thus saved, besides the secur-
ing of far better and safer route.
Other questions must constantly occur
where the great experience and knowl-
edge of Mr.. Mcintyre in such matters
and his perfect integrity of character
would be of great value. Mr.. Battell's
idea was that Mr.. Mcintyre would come
and give his whole time until the Job was
completed.
One or two of the committee suggested
that they might be In honor bound TO
close contract with the Boston party,
as he would be disappointed if they did
not; but finally it was concluded to have
Mr.. Burt of the committee visit Ran
dolph with Mr.. Battell and consult with
MIR. Mcintyre. This trip was made
Thursday, the reservoir at Randolph WIS.,
tied, and Mr.. Mcintyre consulted with.
1t was found that Mr.. Mcintyre was par
TALLY committed for few days to mac
adamizng a piece of road at Randolph,
but promised Mr.. Battell to come to
Mddlebury soon to do some work for
him, and it Is very evident that his ser.
vices can be secured very soon, if moi
right away, II the committee accept Mr.
Battell's offer. In the meantime work
all along the line might progress as de
sired. But it is incenceivable that the
committee should unnecessarily throw
away $500, more or less, of the tax
payers money. They are certainly il
honor bound not to make or conclude
any contract after they find it will un
necessarily and most foolishly squande
$500, more OF less, Of the people,
money. Every taxpayer will protes
against 1t. The offer of Mr.. Battel
should be accepted at once, the Boston
engineer be paid for all services rendered
and notified that his services would no
be wanted further, and then, as rapid,
as can be done, and done well, the waite
works completed, for we all of us want
drink Of this water.