The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-08-22

way on the west. AT this point the
pipes of the water company make
turn to the east and plunge downward
at an angle of forty-five degrees, to
get below the level of the railway and
then rise at same angle on the east
side of the right-of-way before making
turn to the south. Personal investiga-
ton of this condition was made and
found to be as stated above. The
statements of employees who installed
the work at the time of me changes
were also taken. Superintendent Fox,
of the water company, admitted that
such was the case. p
Pressure gauges at the pumping
station on the occasion of the fire of
Wednesday last showed that a pres
sure of 210 pounds was reached at
the river by the engines and pumps.
This is near the extreme capacity of
the pumps and to maintain this high
dangerous. When the gauge at the
water works recorded 210 pounds, the
gauge at the fire department station
showed not to exceed lis pounds.
This occurred after one O'Clock. =,
Superintendent Fox, of the water
company, was present at the council
meeting and made voluntary state.
ment. He took upon himself all
blame for the pressure at the fire of
the Walton store He stated that he,
personally gave orders to the engin-
GERS at at the pumping station what
pressure to use. He stated that neih-
er he nor anyone else, believed when
the fire started, that 1t was anything
of blaze and he did not think much
pressure necessary to handle the trou-.
BILE. He said he was on the ground
all of the time during the fire and
gave his men orders as in his judg-
ment the situation required Mr.. Fox
stated that this was the method pur-
sued in handling fires in all larger
cities and the method he had used in
many years experience at Cedar Rap.
ids. ,
Fire Chief McCracken and his men,
were summoned before the council
that they might reply to criticism
brought against them and to answer
questions. The firemen stated that
the pressure was insufficient to throw
water to the fire. Thrown straight
up the water would not go over eight
to ten feet above the roof of the first
story, or the rear of the building.
Not until after eleven o'clock did the
pressure grow stronger. Mayor aRey-
messengers to ask for better pressure
and Mr.. Fox stated that not once did
he receive or hear any such appeal
The committee report was adopted
of the First ward, voted nay, as he
thought the amount assessed against
the water company unreasonable. He
stated that he was in favor of the re-
port in any reasonable sum, but, not
as it stood. .-.E. &C.,,
Gas Problems, r. .,
After the lengthy discussion of the
water company matter Superintendent
Griffen, of the Oskaloosa Light & Fuel
company, introduced II. T. Head. of
Grand Rapids, Mich, president of the
Oskaloosa company. likewise attor-
ney for the same. Mr. Head address
ed the council at length upon the pro-
posed new ordinance regulating the
price of gas in OSkaloosa and amend
ing the franchise under which the
company Is now operating. The gen
tleman stated that he hoped he
could talk to the council and make
explanation that would result in ami
cable adjustment of any differences
that might exist between them. He
did not care to talk about the legal
rights of the company. but if forced
to do so the corporation would stand
upon such rights. Mr. Heald went
back to the beginning of things and
told of the first contract made be-
tween the people of Oskaloosa and
Mr.. Pinkerton. owner of the first
and plant constructed in the
city. He set up the claim that this
contract was a perpetual franchise, as
Ii was identical. or nearly so, with
franchises already ruled upon by the
United States supreme court and
could be so held. If necessary the
could stand on the rights
given them in this first franchise.
President Head gave an instructive
talk, telling of various steps in the
history of the company, of the i'm
provement to the property. of the
money invested. and of the reduction
of the price of gas from over four dol
lars per thousand. which was first
charged, to the present price, where
it could be obtained for Ns1.S5 per
thousand feet.
Mayor Reynolds also knew some
thing of the history of the gas COM
pany. He took issue with the presi-
dent on the point of the perpetual
statement and told him that
ne was not sure they had any fran
chise. If they had a perpetual fran
chise, queried the mayor, why had
the company hurried to the council
1T the eleventh hour, just before the
new state law became effective, SEX
ng twenty-year extension of the old
thirty-year contract? The terms of
he law were not complied with In the