The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-07-19
Mayor Suggested Hearing of
Proposals Behind Closed
Doors, but Legal Depart
ment Objects.
CAMPFIELD ANSWERS
MAYORS STATEMENT
That City Cannot Buy Plant
as Campfield Proposes by
Saying He Is Willing to
Make a Change.

Contrary to statements made this
morning by Mayor Zimmerman and
President Hammond of the board of
works, there will be no private ses-
siOns of the board and council. during
the consideration of the water works
question. The legal department of the
city has decided otherwise, thinking
that to hold private sessions would not
only mislead the public as to the pur-
pose of the city government. but that
such action would be unfair to the wa
ter works companies, neither of which,
it is understood, favor secret sessions.
Now that the preliminary work is
completed, such as filing bids and
bonds, the mayor will call session
of city council to meet with the board
of works. The first company to be
heard, according to statements that
have been made in council and board
meetings, will be the E. NJ. Campfield
corporation. Assistant City Attorney
Jessup stated this morning that each
company will make a statement of its
plans to the city in writing, copies be-
ing furnished to both the city Off
cials and the newspapers.
To Be No Discussion
At the first meeting there will be no
discussion by the city officials, no
criticism of the proposals, and no OBJ.
lection will be made to anything said
by the corporation representatives
Probably after both companies have
explained their propositions, and out
tended to be made, the city will take
up the propositions to determine
| which proposal is the better.
Mayor Zimmerman declared that the
audience with Campfield would be a
private one, SO that the board and
council wouldn't be bothered" May
or Zimmerman says that the council
and board will go through the propo
sitions and then tell the companies
what is wanted. President Hammond
of the board imagines'' that the board
and council will hold a private meet
ing.
Other city officials have said with
some emphasis, that if there are any
private meetings. the board will there
by lay itself open to public criticism.
In the statement made by Mayor
Zimmerman this morning. he declared
that under Campfield's purchase
clause. the city could not become the
owner of the water works plant as the
city cannot put up $4,000 the first
year and then $31 900 each following
years as the Campfield bid stipulated
as a purchase method. He said in
awarding the bid. even though the
Campfield proposition seemed the bet
ter, it would be taken into considera
tion that if the new company should
secure the contract the streets of the
city would have to be torn up to pu,
in a new system of pipes.
| Il thought the city would assign
the right for the new company to pur
chase the plant of the old company,
said an official.
Well" declared Mayor thinner
man, I'VE can't force the old company
to sell. If Campfeld wants to buy ii
would have to be at the old company S
price don't think they would sell
| to him.
What Campfieid Says.
On being told of the Mayors state
ment regarding private sessions, E
NJ. Campfeld, who is resident engi
neer, representing bidding company
said:
IF the board has any private meet
ings We are not in on it. We've moth
ing to conceal Are they trying to lay
a trap for us? Well, one thing certain
if the board holds a private meeting
you may rest assured that We'll give
you everything that transpires. We
are on the square and are going to
stand for no underhand work l know
DR. Zimmerman is fighting night and
day for the Richmond City Water
Works company"
Regarding the Mayors declaration
that the city can't raise the money
as required by the Campheld propo
sal, Mr.. Campfield said that if the
board had any other purchase clause
which is legal. the officials are vel
coined to suggest it and the Camp
| field company will accept it. IF Mayor
Zimmerman likes the Richmond City's
purchase clause, why weIl put tina,
! one in our franchise" said CampfieId
! LAS TO the proposition of the city's
right to assign US the purchasin
rights OF the old company's plant. the
Mayor is wrong" said .Campfeld
I'VE have seen the best legal advice
in the county and our plan is legal
The company will appoint two men
the Richmond City company two men
and in case of disagreement the cir
cult court viii appoint referee"
/ He says the streets will not be torn
up, excepting where Improvements
and large new mains are necessary.