The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1906-07-26
Light Committee Treads On
Executive Toe.
superintendent Keebler Arouses
Some Bad Feeling by His Re-
port 10 the Board.
RIGHT TO SUPERVISE WORK.

to the installation of machinery in
the electric light plant.
Friction between the general couu-
ell and the board of public works re.
regarding the respective prerogatlves
of the legislative and executive de-
partments has been revived in con-
neetion with the Improvement of the
municipal lighting plant. The general
council contracted for new dynamos
and lamps and the joint light com
mittee. acting under instructions, has
busted itself about the preparations
for the installation of the machinery
Superintendent Keebler, when the
committee, accompanied by Consult
ing Engineer Holmes, visited the
plant, decided the members of the
general council were overstepping
the bound of authority and reported
their conduct to the board of public
works with the request that he be
instructed as to whose orders he is
to obey.
The board referred the interroga-
tory to Acting City Solicitor James
Campbell, ST., who said the board of
public works has entire charge OF the
lighting plant.
That hard feeling toward the gem
eral council has been entertained in
the board of public works for some
time, there is no doubt and the mem
bers are not reticent in expressing
their sentiments. 1t was reported at
once that the board would institute
proceedings to determine the rights
of the executive department.
However. this affair reported by
superintendent John o. Keebler,
seems to have nothing behind 1t. He
merely stated to the board that En-
glneer Holmes and members of the
Joint lighting committee visited the
plant and talked over plans for the
installation of machinery He then
asked for instructions in the event
the light committee undertook to as
sumo charge of the arrangements. He
received no Instructions. but will
obey only the orders of the board of
public works.
AS to what the committee was do
ing at the plant both Alderman Earl
Palmer. chairman, and Engineer
John w. Holmes, explain. The COM
mittee was invited out there by En-
gineer Holmes, in order that the
members might the better under
stand certain plans he had made in
accordance with instructions Of the
council and board OF public works.
Mr.. Holmes said:
There were no instructions given
by the committee. merely explained
the situation to the members, and
they were out there at my invitation.
When this deal for new machinery
was entered into was instructed to
go ahead with the plans for altering
the plant,and I merely wished them
to understand the matter"
Alderman Palmer said:
There was no intention on the
part of the joint light committee 10
usurp the prerogatives of the board
OF public works nor to act obviously
in the matter. We we're invited out
there by Engineer Holmes and he
and Superintendent Keebler laid be-
fore us the plans in all of which we
concurred. The initiative was taken
by the committee in no instance. AS
representatives OF the people. author
izing the expenditure of the money,
think we had perfect right to &c
out there and aequaint ourselves
with the situation"
/, President Rim kleff. of the board
of public works. said:
"Since this board has the RESPONSE
, bility for the management and the
success or failure CT the plant, we
, shall not allow the general council
? or the lighting committee to assume
: charge of the work. II they could
take the work and the responsibility
too. 1t might be different. superin.
+ tendent Keebler asked for instruc'
ions as to how he should proceed il
{ ordered to do anything by the gen
eral council. and we referred the
question to the city solicitor. Mr..
Keebler will act in accordance with
this opinion. We have not been con-
suited in the matter Of improving the
lighting plant and | think the COM
! mittee has not shown the board
much courtesy in the matter"