Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-03-17

The pumps which are an essential lea-
| ture of this system; and about S3,OOU
annual charge for labor at the pump
| ing station; and a large annual charge
for the maintenance and repairs OF
the pumping equipment We nave
| therefore, a fixed, annual charge
while this sewer system is in use, OF
$4,000, $1,000 OF which is interest,
J and S1O,0 cost OF pumping
In proposing their plan I'VE years
ago the republicans Toresaw this. cnor-
nous charge for maintenance and op-
Grafton connected with a lift or pump
| ing system and contcnded for a gray
ity system which. had it been carried
out would have relieved the city of all
| operating expenses and left only the
annual interest charge to carry. TINS
| then. is the Sf33.0O0 sewer system
! promised right away by u demo-
cratic administration. After two years
it has cost us 100000 in hard cash,
with more to come. We find oursel-
YES saddled with a fixed. annual
charge of $4,000, outside of the gen
eral maintenance and tho system IT.
self is little more than started.
The $4,000 already spent and con
tractcd, is all the money available Tor
the sewer. Confronted by this sttua-
ton, from which there is no escap-
ing. and by an uncompleted sewer
40lt VIZ htAliO't 3AlA
ton is already considering the practi-
cability and feasibility OF reducing the
area to be covered by the sewer syS-
TEN. We will all nay our proportion
of the sewer tax but some of US Will
not get the sewer.
There is yet another serious phase
of the matter. All of the larger and
heavier mains, the outlets in particu-
lar, are aid of reinforced concrete
pipes. Scientists, familiar with con-
ditions here, have asserted that in the
alkaline soil and water contact to
which these pipes are exposed. their
life is five years and that at the end
of tina time we will have a streak OF
sand where these pipes are laid, or
where they will be laid when the con-
tractors get around to it.
we were told. TWO years ago by the
democratic speakers, that the republic
can party was seeking deliberately to
bankrupt the city. Had the republic
cans gone about II deliberately they
could not have hit upon a better
scheme than this administration
seems 10 have sought to carry out.
We have never in the history of
public utility construction. heard Of a
more appalling instance of reckless
finapcering, thoughtless planning, and
laundering Incompetence than has
been shown by the democrats in the
planning of this cheap 60 sewer.
You no doubt remember the bcauti-
ful and ideal contract entered into
by Mayor Lester, and the city council
and Mr.. Bullock. representing the
American Light and Water company,
of Kansas City. by which that corpor-
alton generously volunteered to re-
licve the city of II 1-2 per cent. APP
proximately 10000, over and above
the cost of construction of he
sewer for the privilege of building it.
In view Of what We know now, that
contract would have 50 bnrdened Al
~buqucrquc with Il debt that IL is
doubtful IL it ever would have been
paid. Yet, the mayor and city council,
on motion Of Alderman John Beaver,
actually accepted such q contract, re-
fused to consider n motion by Alder
man IIanley to rescind. and only did
so when an aroused and indignant
public sentiment had made II evident
that the people would not stand such
n questionable piece of business.
1t is useless now to recall the facts
connected with the letting Of the con-
tract for the sewer. Both the sale
Of the bonds and consideration Of the
bids for the work Werc behind closed
doors and in executive session. You
remember that On July 18th. 1909.
the Hamilton Brothers Construction
company. and the Seerie Bros, both
Of whose bids were lower than that
of Glass and Fischer, were allowed to
withdraw their bids n to take down
their forfeit deposit under condition
which have never been satisfactorily
explained to the people. The with
drawal of these conuRcts, and the
American Light & Water company
contract only serve to show the blum
derins Incompetence with which TINS
most important work Albuquerque
has ever attempted, has been handled.
1t merely shows the absolute inabil-
lily to deal with a question of this
magnitude which has marked the
course of this administration from the
time il walked off of its $4,000
sewcr system platform into office.
What are We going to do about il?
At the coming election We can at least
place a set of men in charge Of our
city affairs who have some breadth
ana grasp of public business; who are
competent TO deal with tho prescn'
situation. and other situations which
arise as a result of the d~eplorable
condition into which u democratic
have placed us. Men who viii
place public interests before private
and who will work for civic
Improvement and advancement in
Of for results in a game of pea
nut politics. This is a critical time in
the history OF Albuquerque. II is the
time OF all times whcn we must get
from blundcrs. Albuquerque
stand much more laundering.
We must have a w~ide-awakc. intelli-
gent, able and progressive administra-
ton OF our city affairs. An admin
which is looking out for the
interests OF albuquerque and not for
personal results and reelection.
There are other campaign pledges
addition 20 those about the sewer
u hich We have quoted.
The following paragraph appeared
in the democratic platform of 1908;
The Liquor License.
We are unaltcrably opposed TO my
reduction in the amount Of the retail
liquor license as provided by existing
ordinances. and we favor the imparti-
M enforcement of the law y ordi-
without respect to persons"
rs to the first part Of this two-faccd
il viii be remembered that the
republican council had passed a high
license ordinance which took effect
January lst. 1905. just q few months
shis administration came into 4,
power. The republicans were. or
curse. pledged to support that license
did SO. II WAS openly charged.
not successful, contradioted, ,hat