The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1908-03-27

terday by Representative OF North
ern Concern With City Officials
Will Probably Submit Definite
PropoSitiO in Writing.
There may be some interesting de-
yeIopments in the waterworks situa-
aion within the mex few days. a pr-p-
osition having been informally sub
united to the board of aldermen,
which will later be put in writing
and acted on, looking to the signing OF
q contract by which the municipal
ownership question will be allowed to
subSide and a new company will take
over the Clarendon WaterwOrks COM
pany and thoroughly improve and
equip the plant to give absolutely ade-
Guate service for the needs Of the city
for several years to come.
The matter has been brought up by
Nr. a. w. McCallum, of Philadelphia,
n well known civil engineer and one
of the leading waterWorks men in the
country, who has been spending the
past two or three days in this city.
Mr- McCallum was put in touch with
n local situation several months ago
by Capt w. F. Robertson, superinten-
dent Of the Clarendon Company, and he
came 10 the city to look over the field
himself. He has examined the plant
of the Clarendon Company and con-
sidered the situation with those who
are familiar with it, and then, before
going any further, ne has ~endeavored
20 find out whether the aldermen
would BE disposed TO consider a prop
,ositioD-
In general terms Mr.. McCallum it
I6 stated, would like to take owe the
Clarendon plant, make extensive i'm
p~rovcnaents and adequately equip it to
meet all the requirements, the city
agreeing in return not to embark into
the WaterWOrks business on it's own
account for a period Of years. In any
contract made the city could reserve
to Itself the right to purchase the
Improved plant. The financing Of the
project Is to be undertaken solely by
northern capitalists and the work
would be started rs early as posi-
BILE.
An informal conference was held yes.
feT,say afternoon in the mayors Of
flee at the city hall when the matter
brought to the attention OF several
CITY officials by Mr.. McCallum. He
did rot ask for any action but desired
only the opportunity to take UP tue
question and to find out how a prop
Ssition would be viewed. The con-
ference lasted about two hours and
the situation was gone over exhaus
lively and at length. The aldermen
manifested great interest In what MI.
McCallum had to say and he certain
Nv proved himself familiar with water
works matters.
Finally, at the suggestion Of Alder
mar O'Brien, Mr.. McCallum was ask
ed to put his proposition in writing 50
that N could be submitted to the alder
men, and through the press laid be-
fore the public generally 80 that the
sentiment of the citizens could be
found out. This will probably be done
within the next few days n then
probably some definite action would be
taken with the least possible delay.
At the conference yesterday were
Mayor Springer and Aldermen North
rop, Ellis, King, Wood, Jewell. o.
Brien French and Rathjen; Mr.. M. w.
Jacob, one Of the citizens elected TO
the water commission; Supt. w. r.
Robertson and Mr.. r. G. Cantwell, or
the Clarendon Waterworks Company.
Mr.. McCallum does not represent any
special company, but a syndicate or
northern capitalists who have taken
charge of waterworks plants in a num-
Der of cities. the plants, not connect
ed in any way with a head company,
each local concern being operated on
its own basis, with it's own officers.
Superintendent, force, etc, and with
individual name.
The operation Of the plant would be
Under the general supervision OF Mr..
NcCallum, secretary and Gen'd mana
ger. representing the northern capt.
fa1ists-
The parties who are behind MIR. Nc
Cailum was now operating the FOL
lowing plants:
The New Chester Water Co.; the
south Chester Water Co.; the Linwood
Water Co.; the Eddystone Water Co.;
the Green Castle Water Co.; the Den
sson City Water Co.: the Bienville Wa
ter Supply Co; and the Vincennes Wa
Der Supply Co.
The Clarendon Waterworks Company
it rs thought, would undoubtedly sci
out to the new concern, 1t having al.
ready offered to dispose Of it's plant tc
the city, and If the aldermen are will
ZEE doubtless a contract will soon be
entered into.
Alderman Wood at the conference
yesterday stated positively that hs
wpEfd consent to no arrangement
whereby municipal ownership would
BE averted.
Alderman OBrien stated that he
was disposed to stick to the munich
ypai ownership idea, but II he could be
shown that it was advantageous to the
city to make any other ARRANGEMENT
ne would Tot hesitate to change his
position. This seemed to be the posi-.
don Of practically all the other mem.
SberS of the board at the conference
nwko were heard to express themselves