Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-15
MOVE FOR NEW WATER WORKS
Council Takes Action Looking to
Awarding Contract to Wickham.
ENGINEER TO CHECK OVER PLANS
Action IL Deferred on Fire Engine
House Until COuncilmen Can
Look over the Plans Prepared
by City Engineer.

The city council last night concurred in
the recommendation OF the committee of
which Councilman Jensen is chairman that
the services of a hydraulic engineer be Sc
cured to check over the plans and speci-
fications prepared by the city engineer for
the proposed municipal water works plant.
and that the contract with E. A. Wickham
DO entered into as soon as the plans, etc.
are declared 20. K" by the expert.
This action was taken after Mr.. Jensen
had submitted q report in which he re-
viewed the negotiations with the water
works company, and in which it was stated
that the company had not replied to the
communication OF the committee offering
to purchase the plant for $4,000, and after
Manager Hart of the water works company
had asked the council to defer action for
another week, az he expected to be able
TO give a definite reply by that time.
Report of Committee.
The report of the committee, after re-
viewing the negotiations up to the meet
ing OF two weeks ago, when the water
works company was given until last night
to accept or reject the proposition from the
committee. is as follows:
TIE time set by the council having ex-
pred, and no definite answer having been
received 10y your committee, we beg leave
TO report as follows: That your committee
feels that any further attempt to negotiate
system would only be a waste of time
and effort on their part, and that they
feel that the management of the Council
Bluffs City Water Works company is not
acting in good faith in their offer to sell
the present plant to the city; that the fran
chise and contract between the company
and the city expired several years ago,
and a new franchise having been defeated
at a special election held last year, the
said company knowing that the city con-
templated the erection and installation
or a new system OF water supply, in view
o. these facts the Council Bluffs city
water Works company should be in a
position to give a definite answer to your
committees proposition, II they desired to
dispose of the plant to the city.
Your committee, realizing that the city
Is In urgent need of additional fire pro-
lection in many parts of the city, and that
me old water works system is admitted
needs of tho city, and as the Council
Bluffs City Water Works company is un-
able TO make. necessary extensions and i'm
or contract with the city, and as the people
OF Council Bluffs at a special election have
refused TO grant a new franchise, by a
large majority, to said company. therefore
your committee recommends that they be
authorized TO engage the services of an
experienced hydraulic engineer to check
as prepared by G. s. Etnyre and Mr.. Glenn
kimball, and that the city enter into a
contract with E. A. Wickham & Co, for
the construction of a new water works
sXetcm' according to the bid OF E. 4.
ri d Co, above referred to. and
aeceordinng TO the plans and specifications
OF s S. Etnyre, when checked over and
%, kd by a competent and experienced
hydraulic engineer. Your committee realize
that the citizens of Council Bluffs are de-
manding that some definite action shall
re taken by this council at once to remedy
The ,deplorable conditions OF uncertainty
and lack of action that has existed in re-
Tard to the water system OF Council Bluffs
IN me last few years. and we feel that
any further delay by this council to take
Definite action on this matter will be re-
scented by the majority Of our citizens, as
being against the best interests of the city.
we therefore recommend that your honor
able body take such action as may tend
70 settle this matter at the earliest pos