The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-17
Arbitrators in Sewer
Dispute Said Unoffi-
cially toHave Agreed
On That Sum
BAR HOPES OF
CLOSING GAP"
City Will Not Have Balance in Sewer
Loan Fund Sufficient to Pay Full
Award to Contractor, Not to Men
tion the Market Street Project

Joseph l.. Shearer, Jr., Farley Gan
nett and Roy G. Cox, arbtrators Sc.
lected by the City and W. H. Opper-
man, contractor who built the river
front intercepting sewer, to decide
what Opperman shall be paid for extra
work he claims to have done in connec-
tion with the contract, fled their deci-
sion at noon to-day with City Solicitor
ID. S. Seitz and c. H. Bergner, attorneys
representing the principals. City Off
cias said official publication of the
finding is to be withheld until the reg
ular meeting of the City Commissioners
tomorrow afternoon at | clock
1t was said unofficially, yet upon
good authority, this afternoon that the
arbitrators have awarded to Opperman
nor, than two. thirds of his claims to-
falling $4,000, )r something like $22.-
600. City officials refused either to
confirm or deny that report. They did
admit, however, that there can be no
appeal from the arbitrators decision.
The board of arbitration was created
more than two years ago and many
hearings were held, at which the City
clntendcd that Opperman was paid the
full amount due him. Prior to these
hearings, it is said, however, that an
offer was rendered to Opperman of
something like $4,000 as a settlement
proposition and that such offer was re-
.jected by him.
On this decision of the arbitrators
hinges the question of whether the City
will have sufficient money! for closing
the Market street wharf gap in the
river front steps, 1t has been esti-
mated that between $4,000 and $1,000
Will be required to finance closing the
gap, The fact that the official an
viii not be made public before tomor-
row was given by City officials as a
reason for their refusing to say posi-,
lively whether sufficient money will be
available for the extra work on the
wall.
The arbitrators award as we'll as the
costs incurred by them will be paid
out of the $4,000 intercepting sewer
loan approved by the voters in 1910.
All of the installments paid to Opper-
man. under his contract, came out of
that fund as did also the cost of con
structing the protective wall or steps
alcng the river front built by the
Sucker Brothers Construction Com
pany.
The balance in the loan fund at
present, books in the Office of former
City Controller Cough show, is $780,
S56.70. After the Sucker firm is paid
what still is due it, it was said at the
Office of the Board of Public Works,
the balance in the original sewer loan
fund will be only about $4,000. On
that basis there would not be money
sufficient even to pay the Opperman
award, not to mention the cost of clos.
ing the wall gap. There would, in fact,
be shortage of $4,000 in the amount
needed to pay Opperman and no money
at all to meet the cost of closing the
gap at Market street.
The arbitrators, when asked this
afternoon concerning their decision.
suggested the impropriety of their dis.
eussing the matter and, like the con.
tractor, preferred, they said, to have
the City make the official announce.
ment.