Evening journal., 1903-07-20
MR.. Belts TALKS
ON CONTRACT
Says Letters From Engineers
Were Not Opened by
Commissioner Jones
SIGNED PAPER UNDER PROTEST

1NNef AiHNiN WAf Ni1aN AiNH NV ANiA
at Sixteenth and Market Streets
All the Water Was Not Passed
Through II.
Since the statement made by Water
Commissioner Jones relative to the con-
tract entered into by the Water Commits
sion with the United States Sand Fihra-
tion Company, there has been a difference
of opinion as TO what part President
Belts. Of the board. at that time. took IN
the proceedings.
When seen by a reporter OF the Evening
Journal today, Mr.. Belts said he did OBJ
ject 10 the selection of the Western con-
Germ, because the ten or more other en-
gineers who came TO this city 20 confer
with the beard on the subject of filtra-
tion. did not receive the courtesy and att
ten.ion they We're entitled to. IL venture
to say" said Mr.. Belts. "that Mr.. Jones
did not open half the letters he received
from these engineers. at all.
when the majority Of the board de-
cded to give the contract to the United
States Filtration COMPANY" continued
Mr.. Belts. 81 was obliged TO accept their
decision in the matter and consequently
signed the agreement with The concern
together with Mr.. Jones and Mr. Pyle. 4"
'MIr. Belts. is there any possibility or
the proposed plant costing more than
S50O0OO?" asked the reporter.
mo. h should not, as the plans and
specifications plainly set forth the cost
of everything that win be required I'm the
construction Of the work"
How did You interpret the compensa-
tlon to be allowed TO the United States
Filtration Company at the time the con-
tract was awarded?"
There was five per cent allowed for
drawing up the plans and specifications
and zen per cent for the use of valuable
patents owned by the concern for filter
ing water.
"rhe five per cent was to be returned
to the Water Board in the event OF the
company receiving the contract to con.
struct the proposed plant.
''rhe ten per cent. is the compensation
for the use of patents connected with
the fltering process which will be the
means Of saving The city much money.
IF the company in question receives the
contract to construct the new plant" said
Mr.. Belts. 'dts compensation viii be but
S50'OOO the five per cent. for the drawing
Of The plans and specifications being re-
mltted.
This amount win come back to the
city as the patents in question will save
the expense Of erecting covers over the
filter beds
THE cost Of this work would. under
ordinary circumstances reach sG4. .OOO
about $4,000 an acre. Deducting S50.OOl
from $4,000 leaves balance Of Si4O0
saved by the use Of the Western concern.
patents.
Another new departure will be the
method OF constructing the filter beds
Instead Of one pipe. with two or thre,
smaller perforated ones branching our
from it through which the water escape.
into channel, ready for use. the pro
posed new basins viii be perforated ovel
the entire bottom. Through these numer
GUS holes the water win filter and find o.,
way into n channel clear Of all impuri
ties.
II am out Of the thing now" said Mr.
Belts. and don't care TO talk fur4he,
about the matter as 1t no longer concern,
me-"
With this remark, Mr.. Belts ended tn,
conversation.
Will Abandon Filter Plant.
. Beside the notice from the william
Lea & Sons Company relative TO it,
water rights in the Brandywine. tbai
viii be presented at tomorrow.
meeting of the Water Commission
the question of abandoning the presen
filter plant will come uD for considera
ton. Further details for the construc
tion of the proposed new plant wi.
! also be discussed, and it is expecte'
] rft lengthy meeting will be held
The present filter cost about $780, OO
, and was supposed to be n very fine one
Those who constructed the filter asser
that the real trouble is that more wa
ter was forced through the beds thar
the plant was intended to handle.
It was built after plans Of w. A
Sellars. a prominent engineer. SAM
and gravel were chiefly used in filter
ing the water.
Professor L. ID. Chester. of Delawar
College. some time ago made an analy
sis of the water after il had ru
, through the filter and found it teemin
4 with bacteria. The practical value q
the filter was then questioned an
=, with other troubles arising from il
: use. II has been practically decided
4 close the 3lant down. Much Of III
i sand has found its way through the I'll
ter to the City Mill Pumping station
II causing considerable damage to tn
n machinery there.
q It is believed that the trouble coul
n be overcome by cleaning and remodel
a ing the plant, but i'm view of the pre-
lspective construction of the new plaI
il is the opinion Of many that It woul
be throwing away money to go TO an
expense in fixing the old plant
Cool for Simmer.