Evening journal., 1904-09-03
LETTERS FROM
THE PEOPLE
Mr.. Ford Complains.
Editor The Evening Journal:

Editor The Evening Journal:
You appear to regard it as improper
and amusing that a citizen should mani-
fest some heat at the publication OF an
inuendo designed to discredt his con-
duct as a public official. Permit me to
observe that in my opinion the public Of
fcial who would not resent with some in
dgnation an untruthful Implication of
misconduct on his part would be un-
worthy Of public confidence, and, by HIS
silence or complaisance, would either
confirm the truth Of such implication or
display a caliousness to unjust criticism
that do not possess.
1 desire to believe that you wish to DO
me no injustice and / am glad to see that
you have so far yielded TO the dictates OF
fairness as to state the subject OF your
inuendo Of Tuesday. but you still omit
the details of your objection to my con-
duct as a Water Commissioner. Am
asking too much to require Of you the par
ticulars in which 1 have offended with
respect to the second contract with the
Sand Filtration Company? I wish to make
Il plain to everyone, Mr. Editor that
do not object TO fair criticism from any
source. a full statement OF the facts be-
ing made. Indeed, court 1t, and shall be
glad to have my acts reviewed and my
motives probed regarding this or any
other transaction in which I owe a re-
sponsbllity to the public. am conscious
of no default respecting the contract in
question. Every act Of mine in that re-
gard was decided upon after a careful
consideration of the public interests in
volved. My two colleagues and myself.
having had the advice Of Mr.. Harmsn,
agreed upon our course of action. Other
men, honest and intelligent do not agree
with US, but difference OF opinion must
ever arise where varied interests are con-
cerned, and It is quite possible that had
our critics been in the same difficult po-
sitlon, they might have done much better.
and it is certain that we did not act with
the wisdom that would prompt you. Mr..
Editor, in like conditions. but the respon-
sibility was ours. We could not evade II
or transfer e. and we were compelled Of
necessity TO use our best judgment.
Whatever else may be said am sure that
no one could have acted with more earn
est and anxious desire to serve public in
terests. nor with a stricter regard for
the oath Of office which bound US. am
sadly conscious Of the fact that as Water
Commissioner, I have not been abe to
please every one. This has been my mis-
fortune. not my fault. Certainly, II be-
ing the first to discover and set aside a
contract that was to cost the city siS7, 800
which the citys legal adviser thought
would probably be sustained by our courts
and in securing In place thereof a very
much better contract for 5000, a reduc-
ton to the city Of S122 500. is a good cause
for criticism, then I have no apology TO
make.
do no. desire to judge anyone. but as
1 am unconscious OF any wrongdoing that
would Justify your implied condemnation
OF my conduct with respect to the con-
tract in question, I am led to the con-
clusion that personal circumstances must
have bearing upon your unfair attitude
toward me. IT, however. this does you an
injustice and your criticism is merely
the product Of ordinary partisan animos-
ity, / have nothing further to say. Re-
spectfully yours. Peter ]. Ford.