The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-05-10
THE WATER WORKS ISSUE.
increasing Correspondence Between
Alderman Rowland and President
Keen of american Pipe
Manufacturing Co.

Manufacturing Co.
The subjoined correspondence that
has passed between Alderman c. G.
Rowland, chairman of the committee
on water works and President Keen
OF the American Pipe Manufacturing
company should satisfy those who
have desired an Investigation of the
physical condition of the water sys-
TEN before purchase is made. Mr..
Keen's letter indicates willingness
80 do the right thing and if the plant
Is put into a condition to fully meet
an the conditions of the contract as
TO suepfy and quality Of water and
pressure for fire purposes there can
he no further objection to the pur-
chase on that score. Those who per-
ssst in a captious opposition to the
purchase viii prove themselves op-
ponents to municipal ownership.
Sumter, S. G.. April %, 1905.
American Pipe Manufacturing Co.
I12 North Broad St, Philadel-
phia.
mr.. Keen:
Dear Sir-Referring to our COM
1nittee's visit to your city on March
IN the interest Of purchasing the
Sumter Water Company and of your
letter to usscf subsequent date nam
ing US p1ice on this plant as chair
man of this committee am pleased
80 advise yon that an election to de-
eide whether or not it was the wishes
of cur citizens to purchase this
plant, and issue bonds for payment
sf same was held on yesterday, April
zsth. at which election permission to
purchase was given.
Now, before we proceed further in
The premises I am directed by the city
council to write you and ask that you
kindly have the plant put in first class
condition, having the pipes cleaned
of sand and the like where necessary,
and have the pumps and wells so
Urerhanled and repaired as to RENE
edy the matter Of the pumps sucking
air and otherwise failing to perform
ne functions for which they are In.
1ended
The citizens naturally expect the
city council to see that this is done
before purchasing the plant, and the
writer feels that you will readily real
aze the prudence and justice in their
requesting this done. am glad to
say that the city of Sumter has per-
Formed its part Of the contract with
your company to the very letter, hav-s
ing paid It's rentals promptly. and
dealt in good good faith with you all
along the line, and although we have
mot had the pressure and volume Of
water which our contract provided
Tor for nearly a year we have sub
mltted to this state of affairs quietly
under the promise of your company
so rectify The trouble. We hope that
you will now deal with us in a like
liberal spirit, putting your plant in
first class condition so that the peo-
pie may be satisfied that they are
purchasing a plant that is capable Of
supplying them with water without
any Immediate additional outlay, and
that they have not been led by the
seonnaittee into making a purchase
that viii prove disastrous to the
finances Of that town by a failure on
4Ae part OF the water plant to do
what they reasonably expect it to do
without immediate additional oatlay.
Thanking you for a favorable fe-
ply, arm yours very truly,
C. G. Rowland,
Chairman Special Com.
Philadelphia, May l, 1905.
Nr C. G. Rowland, Chairman, Spe-
cial Committee, Sumter, S. c.
Dear Sir:
Yours of the 9th inst, received and
do not think your city is making