The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-04-15
City Council Acts Favorably
Upon Report Of Its In
vestigating Committee at
Meeting Last Evening.
RESPONSIBILITY is
PLACED ON COMPANY.
Starr Piano Officials Have
Employed Expert Engineer
To Inspect Plans on Dam
Construction.


At the adjourned meeting of city
council last night, the plans for the
Hawkins dam were discussed and re-.
ports made by committees from the.
| Lake and Dam project and the city,.
Council has retracted the order STOP
ping the work of building the dam
and will allow the work to 20 ahead
at the risk OF the promoters of the pro-
ject. Engineers have been hired by
the Starr Piano company and govern
ment engineers will be brought here
as soon as possible by the city. Starr
Piano Company and the Lake and
Park association to give an expert re-
port on the plans for the dam.
No action was taken on the build
ing code at the meeting which was
called for the purpose OF hearing the
second reading OF the code. IL was
unanimously agreed to accept the i'm
yitation OF the South Side Improve
ment association to attend the dedica-
tion of the Veneer Door factory in
Beallview. Thursday. Council will at
tend in a body.
The meeting was attended by the
council with the exception of three
members. Fred and Harry Gennett.
Officials of the Starr Piano company.
Charles Carpenter of the Richmond
Roller Mills and promoters of the
Hawkins Lake and Park association.
Expressions were heard from all the
parties interested in the matter.
Make Report.
A report of the committee composed
OF councilmen Bartel. Vessel and
King was made by Councilman Bartel.
telling of the conferences which the
committee has had with interested
manufacturers and promoters OF the
dam project Mr.. Bartsl stated that I'm
no way was the committee opposed
to the building of the dam but that
il merely wanted to be assured that
every precaution be taken TO make
il as safe as possible He stated that
the committee believes that the park
will be a valuable addition TO the
city and that the council should not
stand in the way of the building OF the
dam unless IL is seen that ii would
be a menace to those persons who
reside in the river bottom and the
manufacturers whose factories are To-
Gated on low ground. The committee
recommended that the men be allowed
| to proceed with the work at the re-
sponsibility of the Lake and Park asso-
citation.
Mayer Zimmerman and the council
approved the report The mayor ex-
planned that in his opinion, the dam
would be OF less value to the city than
the possibility of the loss OF the life
| of one citizen He stated that the
| factories should be protected In every
way. He endorsed the action OF the
council in giving the association per-
mission to go ahead at its own risk In
building the dam.
Had Expert Here.
Fred Gennett of the Starr Piano
company, stated that Prof Robert L.
Sackett of Purdue University. former
ly of Earlham College. was brought 20
this city at the expense OF the Starr
Piano company and that he had made
a thorough investigation OF the plans.
He has taken data of the plans and
the territory on which the dam will
be built and is now making q techni-
cal examination. TO ascertain whether
! or not the dam will be constructed I'm
| such a manner 90 withstand any pres
sure of water which mfsht be brought
| to bear against il during the floods.
| Mr.. Gennett refused 70 give out any OF
the verbal report which Prof Sackett
gave him but stated that as soon as
complete written report is received. il
will be presented 10 council and the
promoters of the dam project
Ray Robinson. president of the Haw-
kins Lake and Park association, In
addressing the meeting reviewed the
history Of the association, explaining
that the promoters had gone into the
project without hope of pay but that
they were doing il with the hope that
IL would be a benefit to the city He
stated that while the promoters felt
il their duty TO protect the stockhold-
ers of the association. they were will
ing 10 submit TO any reasonable de-
mands or make any reasonable chang
es in the plans which would insure the
safety Of the dam.
Mean Great Loss.
] There are now 17e stockholders
and to stop the construction Of the
dam would mean q loss to them for
which they are in no way responsible.
For every day that the city has stop
Il D. E~wur. 4