Evening journal., 1907-10-01
]. FORD
SAYS THINGS
Ccontinued From First Page.J

the rest of us. that sand filtration
was the best system Of water altering
that could be installed, and we con-
cuded to put It in. We went to vari-
Gus cities. including Lawrence, Mass,
Albany, n. Y, Philadelphia and wash
ington. and we reached the unanimous
conclusion. after inspecting the plants
in these cities, that sand filtration was
the thing wanted in Wilmington.
I'm addition to this I made some
Investigations myself and conferred
with such prominent engineers as
Messrs. Hazen and Gray. experts on
the question of water filtration. and
was also impressed of the good OF the
sand altering by experiments made by
our bacteriologist. DR.. Robin had
been in the employ Of this department
for four years and TO my mind is a
capable man and has proven himself
to be a man of exceptional ability in
! this line. His experiments were satis-
! factory and in accord with the judg-
ment of the expert engineers / con-
suited with.
| Mr.. Shaw's Opinion.
"At that time every member of this
board was unanimously in favor OF
sand filtration and what has caused
Mr.. Shaw to change I am at loss to
\ know"
A this point Mr.. Shaw interrupted
by saying thar he had not changed
his opinion and was still in favor of
sand fltration,
Mr. Knox saf he wanted more en-
lightenment on the matter.
Mr.. Ford said he could not under
stand why Mr. Shaw. if he coincided
with the views Of Mr. Knox now. had
not thought Of doing so eight weeks
ago before It was decided to ask for
bids for the construction Of the filter
beds.
Mr.. Shaw replied that it had not
been decided not to open the bids and
Mr. Ford asked the question: Then
will you state when you will do so.
The public has a right to know, as
the water now supplied to the city is
a menace TO public health the best
evidence for this is the fact that pure
water is now being sold on the
street"
Turning to the representatives OF
the companies who were present will
bids for the construction Of the filtra'
ton plant Mr.. Ford said II regard
II as an injustice TO you gentlemen
who prepared bids and came here al
a great expense. not TO open the bids
I cannot understand now men of sucl
intelligence as are on this board could
trihe with you. II Is a matter O
public notoriety that there are $500
people crying out in this city for bet
ter water"
Mr. Knox said he wasn't satisfied
that the water was really bad an'
that the board should go slow on tn
matter. as the present plant was no
yet completed, and the work on
!, would continue until far in the winter
o He also said this was a day OF in
ventions. and there was no tellini
4. when there might be something bet
ter offered in the way Of hlterin
\ water.
! Upset Precedent.
4 In speaking Of the matter Of maxim
a removals IN the department, Mr. For
said that he was never consulted whe
, men We're dropped from the payrol
/. and that removals We're being mad
e absolutely contrary to the preceder
established by the previous board. II
said that Mr.. Shaw was always cor
sidered by the cid board Of which
and David Lindsay were the majort
members. He aske7 NI- Shaw II tn
was not true and the latter replied
"Partly. but you did not consider nj
when you appointed that man at ii
Weidin farm"
%. THAT appointment was made" RI
. piled Mr. Ford six months befoi
you became a member OF the board
Mr.. Knox interrupted at this stal
= by saving that he did not think it W;
the proper time or place to thrash OF
such things.
n ."1 am public official" retorte1 NJ
y, Ford Il want TO be placed on reeoi
=, what I say"
or Mr. Ford asked Mr.. Knox If he 4
T. tended 10 try to convince himself tn
Of sand filtration was a rcrd system. al
the latter replied that he already h;
II and was iurthe possession OF facts AT
lie not cp'n'ons NJ Fc-d then ask
q AIr. Knox if he found the statemen
or made by Or Robin correct, and q
'e reply was no. ana thar he hal fou
ne them otherwise.
20 'Tf Won don't believe ')r Robin II
nd why 40 YOU continue him in The el
KS pioy OF the Department" askea
l., Ford.
~ Mr. Knox wade some remnrk abe
Nv Mr Ford having placed the bactC
ay iologist in the position and that
matter Of his removal had vet to
i. considered.
Mr. Ford amended Mr.. KnoX's n
ton 20 defer opening The bids for
~ days blt the amendment was
y. ". seconded. and the original motion
Iat lrachniely postpone was passed.
eas nto an, nnv vote baing taken.
No ~, "a ,.,.,.,,,, -. and Afessrs Sl,avr
1c. knnS la the affirmative.
bly