The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-12-21
SPARMER'S SERMON
To THE STAR
Engineer Seems to Think Paper
Should Keep Silent When People
are Imposed On


article will be classified as an unjust
criticism with a tendency to stir up
public opinion against the contractors
who are making every effort, not
only to give satisfactory job, but to
please the public and make as few in
conveniences as possible.
1t is impossible to backfill ten or
fifteen miles of sewer lines so that
it viii not settle in a few places, es-
pecially in the varied sand and clay
soils encountered on this job.
| wish to state here as we have re-
peatedly stated in the council cham
Der, that our work is at all times open
to inspection and criticism in the
proper manner, by any city official,
taxpayer, or other responsible per-
son, and that we will correct any
faults they may point out.
I want it distinctly understood that
we intend to leave satisfactory job,
md that our work is not being care
lessly DONE
Monday we had men out repairing
the settled spots as fast as we located
them, and also rendering assistance
to those unfortunate enough to get
begged up"
In view of the above facts, I think
the criticism in the Star highly un-
just and think if you will go deeper
into matter of this kind before
jumping to conclusions, you will see
that we are trying to keep in the good
opinion of the public by serving it to
the best of our ability. by giving
the city a satisfactory job, and by
trying to cooperate in every way
with the city officials in overcoming
the inconvenience that of a necessity
arise in the course of a job of this
character and scope.
Hoping my 1etter viii be taken in
the same good spirit that it is writ
ten end that no further such articles
viii appear IN the Star, remain,
Very truly yours,
Morris A. Sparmer,C. E.,
Engineer, Bryan & Co.
The Star has no desire to do injus-
tice to Bryan & Co., but it want JUS
tice done the people of Ocala. It is
not justice to them when they discov-
er weak places in their streets by
by breaking their autoes, crippling
their horses and risking their lives
and limbs.
We don't know exactly what Mr..
Sparmer means by jumping at con-
Iclusions." Before writing about the
accidents, we consulted the fire de-
pertinent, the city engineer and a
number of citizens, and personally in
spected some of the cave-ins. We
would have consulted Mr.. Sparmer if
We had met him, tho Judging by his
letter ne would have made light of
the entire matter.
Mr.. Sparmer hasn't been in Ocala
long. If he had been, he would prob
ably have been aware, that the Star
has frequently praised Bryan & Co.
for their work and attempts to live
up TO their contract. Their state
nents in the council chamber that he
refers to were published in this paper
some weeks ago; also, the opinion of
Engineer Drake that they were try
ing to do faithful work.
The jumbled-up manner in which
the inspection was carried on for the
first few weeks has also been ex-
plained in this paper.
So Mr.. Sparmer is trying to run
his mill with the water that is past.
All this doesn't cover up the fact
that rotten work has been done some
where, else the accidents of yester-
day had not occurred.
It requires no immense amount of
skill and science to refill It only re-
quires faithful work, such as any in
dustrious roustabout can do. Bryan &
Co., were, we presume, familiar with
the character of Ocala soil before
they began work. The Citizens Gas
Co. often tears up streets the same
way in laying its mains. It never
employs a skilled engineer. 1t sim
ply puts the street back like it found
it, and we never heard of car, or
even foot-passenger, breaking thru.
In conclusion we ask Mr.. Sparmer
what he expect sthe Star to do when
Ia series Of accidents, inperiling the