The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-06-07
Board of Works Held Meet
ing Yesterday Afternoon
When Specifications Were
Considered.
MATTERS OF PUBLIC
POLICY DISCUSSED,
New Water Contract Sched-
uled for Public Reading at
the Next Council Meeting,
June 10th.

uIN lOhh.
The conference over the specifica-
items OF the water works contract
came to a close yesterday afternoon.
Matters of public policy rather than
changes in the wording of the remain
ing sections occupied the afternoon.
The board called Mr.. Howard Dill of
the water works to give the company's
Iside of the free water clause. Mr.. Dill
Ywas very anxious to.reduce the amount
of free water now allowed the city. He
largued that the city should set a limit
son the amount of free water to be AS
ped by the school children.
The matter was taken under advise
ment by the board and its attorneys
but it seems probable that the board
twill take the ground that sufficient con
tcessions would probably not be made
sthe city to justify placing a limit on
what may be a very desirable right to
reserve.
Wilfred. Jessup pointed out that the
tendency toward an increased use of
water in schools on account of their
more general. use for public purposes
He cited the free baths, swimming
pools, and the preparation of lunches
lin those cities which have taken on an
industrial aspect. In twenty-five years,
iMr. Jessup thought. the city might
need all the water it could get for the
schools.
Mr. Dill followed this with an illus
.tration. when the company allowed
the city to use water for flushing sew
ers II had no idea that automatic flush
tanks would be installed. This has
been a surprising loss of water. We
had to work with these automatic
flush tanks to keep them from serious
ly interfering with out service. If free
water increases we shall be handicap
ped"
Purchase Clause Considered.
The purchase clause was next con-
tsidered. Various suggestions We're
smade as to the right to be reserved by
the city to retire the bonds of the COM
pany, the limits to be placed on the
bond issue. Mr.. Johnson asked Mr.
Dill If an arrangement FOR issuing
bonds in series to be retired at the op-
ton of the city at intervals of FIVE
years would embarrass the company.
Mr.. Dill said that he wished to have
the advice of the other members of
the board of directors before asserting
to such an agreement.
"In my opinion there would at least
he no benefit to the company in allow
ling the city to retire series, of bonds.
SIN regard to limiting the issue of
the bonds. it is my opinion that it
would be unwise to place low limit
as we need some treasury bonds to
carry forward improvements.
"Is it not true that you are constant
ly retiring such bonds yoursef?" was
one Of the inquiries put at Mr.. Dill by
the attorneys.
Mr.. Dill admitted this was- the case
This matter was not settled at the
meeting but will be put in tentative
form before the matter is presented
to council From $500, 900 to $3.50, 900
was suggested as the limit to the
bond issue.
Then Mr. Dill took scattering points
on which he wished reinsurance. One
thing that troubled him was the pos
sibility that the company might not be
paid for its new fre hydrants. Mr.,
Gardner reassured him by telling him
that he would insert clause defining
the term free intermediate hydrant"
so as to clear up any misconstruction
that might attach to alLbydrants lying
between two hydrants which are paid
for.
Mr. Dill was also fearful lest the
words s.city building" might mean that
free water should be furnished for, the
condensers at the city light plant. An
other point he tried to gain was that
the company should be put to too great
expense by the continual testing of
meters. However on cross examination
he admitted that the company had
never been put to serious inconveni-
ence.
Our informal meeting will probably
place the specifications in good shape
for the consideration of council and
the public. 1t il now scheduled for pub.
lie reading on the next council meeting
which occurs one week from next Mon
day evening.