Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-09-07
The CITY
MUST TAKE THE
new PUMP
SOCONTRACTORS TOLD MAYOR
MayOP Mathis EXFeSSeS Views
On Pumping Question

Back from Atlanta came Mayor Math-
is yesterday, after having looked If
ter some important matters in that
city.
Three things occupied him while lt
the capital. One was to Arrange for
an auditor to examine the city books,
another to close a contract for wood
block inspection, and the third to see
the firm that has the contract for
building the new pump for the water
works and get a line on its status.
"It has been proposed to nullify this
contract" said Mayor Mathis yester-
day, $50 l called on the firm-Laidlaw,
Dunn & Gordon Co.-to see whether
this could be done. l was politely told
it could not be, that the company had
made the contract in good faith, that
work had been begun on the pump,
which is now being pushed as rapidly
as possible, and that the pump would
be delivered in time to the city Of
Americus and the city expected to pay
for it as provided in the contract.
THE company seemed surprised that
after making a contract for a pump
Americus should seek to rescind It.
came away satisfied that it is uselss
to expect the constructors to nullify
the contract. 1t is binding on the city,
was made by the contractors in good
faith, and the city in good faith must
accept the pump"
The proposition has been made that
the city call off the contract for the
pump and the new boiler and dispense
with the projected improvements ut
the waterwOrks, contracting instead
with the lighting company for the
pumping of the water at rate that,
it is stated, would save the city quite
an amount yearly.
Regardless as to whether the city
makes a contract with the lighting
to pump the water, it should
put it's water works in good condition
and keep them in that condition" said
Mayor Mathis yesterday. THE people
voted the bond issue for water i'm
with that end in view, and
it would be bad faith with them to 10
In addition to that, it 10
good business policy for the city TO
have the WaterWorks in good working
condition as a reserve plant and as
check on the lighting plant if it makes
a contract with that corporation. | d,
not say no contract should be made il
we find we can save money in that
way. but | do say that the improve
ments projected for the plant should
be carried out so that We will have
the plant in readiness in the event Of
an emergency and as a check on the
with which the contract
for pumping is made. Sound business
Judgment dictates that, to my mind,
and l believe that is the course the
people would desire council to pur-
sue. Put the waterworks in excellent
working condition and keep the plant
that way. Then we are protected n
the event Of breakdown Of the light
ing company's plant, and we are pro-
tected against trouble when the re-
newal of any pumping contract comes
along, as the city will be in position
to take care of itself. A contract can
not be made for more than a year or
two years, legally, for pumping the
water, and we do not want, at the eX-
piration of that time, to find ourselves
with no city plant and subject to any
advance in rates that might come. I
believe in improving the plant as
protective measure, regardless as TO
whether we make a pumping contract
or not"
SECOND BANK PLANNED
~ 4