Evening journal., 1903-10-12
LArE IN SEEKING INFORMATION.

Republican Glasses in the Sunday
Star enters into a most earnest defense
Of tho Water Commissioners incident
ally criticising the press for its attitude
In the matter and declaring that the
injunction proceedings were instituted
to hamper the commission in carrying
out its plans for a better water system.
This defense is so remarkable that the
editor Of the Star very properly ex-
plains certain things which the writer
Of tho article should have known al
ready.
In discussing the remarkable conduct
OF our Water Commission we are will
ling to leave Mr.. Ford out Of it for the
present, since he became a member af-
ter the contract was awarded to the
Sand Filtration Company; but two
members Of the old commission are
members Of the new and 1t is perfectly
proper Tor the press to criticise their
acts. These men We're responsible for
the contract with the Sand Filtration
Company and entered into It with such
precipitation that the people were not
aware that such a contract was in con-
temptation. The charge is made that
proposals and letters from prominent
water engineers Of the East were never
opened. so intent were the commission
ers on securing the services Of the
Sand Filtration Company
Since the award Of that contract the
commissioners have evinced thirst
FOR information. travelling from city 10
city and taking their employees with
them. It is logical to ask why this in
vestigation was not made before sign
ing a contract which win saddle tho
city with an enormous debt. providing
It stands the test Of tho courts? This
requires an answer from the two mem-
bers who served on the old commits
o sion.
e The citizens who took the case into
q the court deserve the thanks OF every
u taxpayer In Wilmington. They ar,
g. not obstructionists. but believe that tn,
Is contract that was entered into was no
e in accordance with the law. and tina
+ for several reasons it was unwise
There is good reason to think that i
It is invalid for the reason that there wal
'e no competition and for the further rea
r son that the sand Filtration Compan.
I'd at the time the contract was signe,
ic was not qualified TO do business in thi
OF State. But the most remarkable feat
Id ure Of the whole affair was the libera
ne terms allowed by the commission. Fo
e. certain patents ten per cent. was TO b
lis paid, and this was to be based. not oi
BIT the cost Of the filter alone. but on tn
be whole plant reservoir, plping, etc. ]
al. is even said that the patents We're pur
'al chased outright, and not simply IN
Oh use OF them. There are many thing
nd not yet explained. How valuable or
III these patents? Have not other firm
ay methods equally valuable? Is the San
Filtration Company a concern Of sue
,al reputation and financial standing a
,st to warrant contract with it excludin
Die other engineers from competition
he Supposed these patents are attacked.
ali there any guarantee on the part Of n
Iat company 10 protect the city? The
IT. where is the guarantee the city wa
to to have-a guarantee that bacteri
rm would be reduced to a certain min
de mum per cent?
It seems 10 US that with such quei
cir tions unanswered the press has amp
bic reason for criticising the two commits
sioners who entered into this contrae
and thar the men who took tho case
81 tho Court Of chancery ought to recer
are a vote Of thanks. And before tho con
a missioners take any more trips al Il
aid city's expense, il would be proper f
be them TO state whether they consid
IDS themselves bound by the contract vii
sot the Sand Filtration Company. II the
ID do, then the nature Of our system
'm determined, and these junkets are
nd waste Of money # they consider th'