Evening journal., 1903-11-23
Full OF MYSTERY.

FULL OF MHSI ERN.
We suppose that it is hardly neces-
sary to discusss this. filtration contract
matter further for certainly anybody
of average Intelligence who has fol-
lowsc tie devious paths % the negoti-
aticns has made up his mind pretty
definitely as to the motive behind both
contracts. But on the presumption
taat persons being relieved OF their
valuables lake melancholy interest
in seeing how it is done. the Sunday
star sets out at longth the particulars
OF the affair.
II thinks the last contract is almost
as bad as the first. and we agree with
this conclusion. But the commission
ers ere ten times more culpable for
sgnius the last than for signing the
first Tho FIRST might have been a
m.stAlSe, but the last was entered into
after considerable experience that
should have been valuable.
We pointed out months ago that the
Davis patents were In use in no water
plant in the United statos. and noI
we learn that al least one engineer Of
national reputation doubts their efh-
cacy And yet with full knowledge Of
thosc facts the commission agreed to
pay ten per cent. Of the contract price
estimated az 100000. for the use Of
these patents. Would the commission
ors be so enthusiastic over untricd
patents to be used in their private bus-
nesl?
Thoy came in time TO admit that
they had made a most remarkable con-
tract and one that probably would not
stand in law, then what did they do?
Why they made another with the
same concern and ore the Chancellor
had given his decision as to the legality
OF the other.
They voted $4,000 out OF the treas
ury without winlling. and made fine
parade OF their economy. It reminds
us OF a clerk who told his employer that
he proposed to take hundred dollars
out Of the money drawer to bet on the
races. When r~-.1,,-a,i, .'f l...i.,..',.,.
ni y. 4 'ba74 ~ iefnorstrated with he
&dds"Well IN take only $50. and you
ought to be thankful for have saved
you $50"
The commissioners may pun out
their chests and assume an injured air
when tholr conduct is under discus
sion, but they cannot make It appear
that good business sense inspired them
whom they make it possible for an en-
gineer 20 act for the city and for the
contracting company at the same time.
He drew the plans, he will receive
$4,000 for experimenting the work and
in all probability his company Will
construct the plant. " Il likely that
in the event OF poor materials being
used or there being defects i'm con-
atruction he would order the work
torn outg Suppose one Jof these COM
missioners was going TO build a house,
would he employ the same man as
architect and supervisor and allow him
To bid on tho work? II so his friends
would soon be petitionlng for com
mission ia lunacy.
Tho commission has never satlsfac
torily explained its eagerness TO Sc
cure n conhact--any sort Of an oil
contract-with this particular com
puny. Othor engineers We're refused
chance to explain their systems or q
present their ideas There are GER
tainly engineers in this country equa
in ability TO this young man they hav
smployed. They did not seek IN
opinions OF experts to learn whethe
those patents were valuable or not
They neglected TO investigate othe
systems, though invited to do so. The
made it evident that they had som
special reason for awarding the con
tract to this particular concern, bu
that reason has never been made clea
TO the public .u.l.
Perhaps some day after millio
dollars OF our money has been spen
and possibly with another abandone
Alter on our hands. our people ma
characterize this transaction as it de
serves. And we predict that II III
persons concerned In Il live Ion
enough they viii be madc 10 feel III
fpn weight OF aroused ana advers
public opinion.
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