Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-11
WOULD KNOW ALVORD BETTER
W. 3. Green and Other Real Estate Men Ask
for More Specific Idsnt foation.
NO DIScREDH OF THE NEW APPRAISER
n. A. Henson Thinks Exchange should
Leave Matter TO water Board and
Rely on It's Selection with
out Public Inquiry.

The Real Estate exchange met at the
Commercial club yesterday and after
considerable discussion Of the water works
appraisership adjourned without any ac-
ton
w. II. Green brought the matter before
the exchange. 81 have a matter of the
greatest Importance, said he, land one
which l think calls for action on our part
The Bee had an editorial last night which
voiced my views. 1t appears that nobody
knows the appraiser for the city except
Mr.. Boyd, who, am informed, recommends
him highly None Of the members of the
council know Mr.. Alvord, whether he is a
man OF the company for the people. 1
do not mean to say anything against Mr.
Alvord who doubtless Is a capable and
fair man, but in case he should turn out
to be slightly favorable 10 the water com
pany IL will cost the city million or two
The two appraisers have the choosing of
the third and If they are both favorable to
the company we will come out badly.
There is no contract, or at least have
heard of none, under which he comes here
and he can charge the city what he
chooses. OF course the matter of a thou
sand or two makes little difference in a
transaction of this size IL we get a good
man. I do not mean to say anything
against Mr.. Alvord, but 1 think the peo-
pie should know something about
the matter. 1 understand that 1t is even
now a question with the chairman of the
water board as to whether the franchise
or the company should be paid for. II this
engineer understands that we are to pay
for this franchise IT will cost us millions
Without question we want the water
works. but we must not put burden on
the city which will take generations to pay
4. A.
companies but this is not anything against
him; but why do we not know anything
about him?
Suggests Check on Appraisers.
II think the council should hire a man to
assist Mr. Alvord in the appraisement and
that this man should submit sealed ap-
pIaisement to the council to be opened after
the other figure has come up for consid-
GRAFTON, so that the council may have some
security that It is really getting at the
value of the plant"
Chairman Harrison thought Mr.. Green's
remarks were to the point, but E. A Ben
son and Alexander Charlton took the op-
posite view.
I'VE have a water board" said Mr. Ben
son, Fin whom / had supposed everyone
had confidence, Mr.. Alvord has a reputa-
tion as an expert consulting engineer and
have heard of him for years. / think that
II we feel that we do not know all we
should about him we should go quietly to
the members of the board who appointed
him and not talk the thing over here"
Mr.. Charlton thought action premature
THE appraisers action must come before
the board for approval" he said. IF when
this report is made It doesn't look right,
then we can take action"
1t was moved that a committee consisting
of W. A. Harrison and C. L. Saunders be
appointed to talk with the members of the
board In regard to the appraisement, but
after discussion the motion was ordered
laid on the table