The herald., 1912-02-29

tract. and upon advice of the engineer
that the proposed extension was equal
to about % per cent of the original
contract, he suggested that survey be
made to determine positively. Attor-
ney McCloskey recommended to the
board that if the extension to Joseph
street was more than 20 per cent OF
the original contract that the work be
advertised After further discussion,
It was moved by Mr.. BUTLER, seconded
by Mr.. Stone, and carried, that the ex-
tension of the Carrollton reach levee'
from Audubon Park TO Joseph street
be advertised in the usual manner, the
president being authorized to take nee
essary steps to that end
"Thereupon the work was duly ad-
vertised for, bids were opened (the
Hercules Company not being bidder
and the contract was awarded to Adam
Ruppel at 80 IL cents per cubic yard
for earthwork and SOL per thousand
| ~.
was satisfactorily completed, at a net
saving of $5,S06.51 to the board.
Another instance may be cited con-
corning the building of the improved
| levee from Governor Nichols to Lou
lisa street. Repeated recommendations
were made by Colonel Lewis that the
board advertise for the building of this
levee. l protested on the ground that
this part of the levee was practically a
railroad yard, as the different railroads
were using it for that purpose, and
that efforts should be made to have
selves, at their own cost. and not rush
headlong and do it at the expense of
the Levee Board. After many confer
ences, lasting several months, the
board agreeing with my views, and
standing with me in my efforts to have
the work done by the railroads, the
railroads finally acceded to our views,
and undertook the work, which is now
nearly completed, this being a saving
to the board of between $4,000 and
$4,000.
$50 far as the salary list is con.
cerned, it may be stated that the only
augmentation in salaries during my
connection with the board was made
| first on the recommendation of Colonel
Lewis in his report of Aug. 10, 1909,
wherein he recommended the raise of
salaries of the engineering department,
| to-wit:
Salary of Benson raised from 800
to $3.50 per month; salary of Bernard
from S75 to 500; salaries of Briede
and Zengel from $50 to 800, and the
repeated raises of the salary of Colonel
Lewis himself. He was elected on the
18th of September, 1908, the salary
then not being fixed. His predecessor,
however, had received a salary of 5000
per month. On Oct. II Colonel Lewis
salary was fixed by the board at $3.50
per month to commence from the time
of his employment. On Feb. %, 1903,
his salary was raised to $500 per
month, and on the 18th of June, 1911, 1t
was again raised to $33333 per month,
these raises being made at his own
earnest solicitation. At no time did
Colonel Lewis recommend a reduction
of salaries or reduction of the force,
but the board itself, at it's meeting of
May 10. 1910, reduced the engineering
force to a considerable extent and
saved s475 per month thereby, and
this has worked no detirment to the
efficiency of the engineering depart
ment.
If there has been any ineficiency on
the part of the day forces employed by
the Orleans Levee Board, then the
blame therefor must necessarily rest
with Colonel Lewis, forasmuch as he
on the 10th of August, 1909, requested
that the said force be placed absolute
ly under his control, whereupon, by
action of the executive committee of
Aug. &c, 1909, and subsequently ap
proved by the general board, the engi-
neer, Colonel Lewis, was placed in ab-
solute and sole control of the said
forces, the chief inspector being also
required to report directly to him.
"Reverting again to the number of
inspectors and laborers, 1T is we'll to
bear in mind that the total mileage of
levees to be cared for is SO 4S-10O miles,
for which the six inspectors and a
chief inspector have to care, with the
aid of fifty-nine laborers. These gangs
of laborers are not only used for clean
Ing levees, but are used likewise for
all purposes, such as building and re.
pairing levees and revetments, guard
rails, approaches, etc., and are, as Il
have already stated, under the direc.
ton of the chief engineer. The gangs
are concentrated and are sent from one
district to another when extraordinary
work Ia reuuirad