Evening journal., 1903-07-15
DEMAND LARGE
COMPENSATION
Water Commission Must Pay
Big Royalty for Use Of
Patent Rights
Mr., FORD STARTS BALL ROLLING
Says Proposition is the Most Astound.
ing He Every Heard of-Department
May Have to Pay Bonus Of
$4,000.


May Have to Pay Bonus of
$4,000.
The contract submitted by tho
United States Filtration Company 10
the Water Commission for the con-
struction of the proposed new water
plant was read at the meeting OF the
board yesterday afternoon and caused
some surprise because OF the large
compensation demanded by the con-
Germ. The company asks five per
cent. of the cost OF the plant for plans
ana supervision and ten per cent for
the use OF certain patent rights In IN.
tration owned by the firm.
As the cost of the proposed plant is
estimated az 100000. Il will be seen
that In the event OF the contract not
being awarded to the United states
Filtration Company the concern will
receive S90,900, unless awarded the
contract IN which event 100000 will
have to be paid. Commissioners pyle
and Jones, members OF the old board.
signed the contract on March 81.
Astounding Proposition.
Mr.. Ford expressed himself plainly
ON the matter and was OF the opinion
that the compensation asked by the
filtration company was the most as-
founding proposition he ever heard Of
II the plant should cost 100000. the
board VIII be required under present
conditions 10 pay the firm 100000
The subject, after being discussed at
length, was, upon motion OF Mr.. Jones.
laid over until n consultation with
louis X. Davis, engineer OF the COM
pany. could be held.
Paving by Contract.
Among the bills that came up for
second reading was one from John }.
Jones for $1,000 for the hire OF a
horse and wagon used by the paving
gang IN June. The total cost of the
gang, which comprises four men, in
Guiding the cost OF horse and wagon
hire. stands the board about $3.50 a
week.
Mr.. Ford thought this too much
money to nay out for this purpose,
holding that the work could be more
cheaply done by contract, and upon
his motion the services of the paving
gang was dispensed with and propos-
ais for paving TO be received by Au-
lgust I ordered advertised.
The payroll OF SS32.63 was ordered
paid The balance In bank was re-
ported as S1OZ325.0l.
One Inspector Enough.
Mr.. Ford. when told there were two
meter inspectors employed by the
board attending the 1900 meters dis
tributed about the city. was OF the
opinion that as but two inspectors
read the 5000 gas meters i'm the city.
one should be enough for 1900 water
meters. Chief Bond said that two men
were needed and were kept busy all the
time. The subject was dropped. but
Mr.. Ford said that Il was a matter
that would come IN again for consid-
GRAFTON.
Immediately after the return OF the
Water Commissioners from Indiana,
where they went 10 view a plant now
under course OF construction under the
supervision of the United States Fill
tration Company. It was announced
that contract had been entered into
by the board with the Western concern
70 furnish plans and specifications for
a plant to be constructed i'm this city.
President Belts. Of the board at that
time, Il will be remembered. objected
TO the awarding of the contract 10 the
Indiana concern and favored "A widely
known water engineer of New York.
His objection, however had no effect
and his colleagues voted the contract
To the Western company
This action upon the part OF Com
missioners Pyle and Jones caused
some surprise and comment for many
could not Understand why Eastern wa
ter engineers Of national repute had
been turned down in favor Of a prac-
ucally unknown concern.
/, According 10 information received by
La reporter of the Evening Journal. the
plant at Indianapolis il only in course
of construction and not completed.
Whether IL will prove a success. said
the reporters informant remains to
be seen. At the same time there are
several plants in the East at present
IN successful operation that IL would be
well for Wilmington to copy.