The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1916-11-28
swEELEY's DEFENSE INADEQUATE

Elsewhere in this issue appears part the appeal for The
voting Of bonds for the city a and street published
by Mayor sweeley the administration thai
any relate the waterworks situation This article INTENDED
defense Of the policy of the mayor and council m regard to the
situation in fact constitutes condemnation OF that policy
Waving the question of the advaby Of purchasing the plant
from the old company at am exoroan Inquire IN ORDER TO AVOID law
delay following fact stands out from the state
the mayor: The administration eventually fully realized the
need of prompt action and found that the problem OF securing
supply sufficient system for this city which de-
manded the services of hsgr"de competent and experienced en-
Surely this fact should have daned upon the administration
distribute ditch beet patch
good and sufficient supply for the city of Twin Falls and de-
in the Obviously then expert adviser
needed
Mayor Sweeleys individuals are
he tells about the plethora of letters from all of the
there experts and experts But here administration
entrusted with the government OF the city and pledged above all else
supply pure purified for the city actually
allowing months apse without conducting investigation which
would enable it to enter contract with competent consulting eng
who could the that the waterworks system
should be secured by the city The city should have begun Investigate
the question Of the time that
began grappe with the water problems other words
invested with The bonds voted February 1916
10y that time the council should nave hd some dea OF where com
pent engineer could have been secured OF there many
such engineer could have been found home
prefer to discuss the case from the mayors own viewpoint and as
argument that necessary
they would sold property transferred
Two months interviewed during which the city should have been getting
m e;tIr or Under divine construction II nc b m
ner with whom contract could have been signed the moment thai
the waerworEs transferred
Did this happen9
Not at ALL
To Judge from the arrangement of the MAYORS article if was on,
after the waterwor the hands city
the administration that expert engineer might
made recommendation supply
andwiched in with other suggestions
informed the search for the started The difficulty
proper investigation OF the merits Of each OF the applicants for the
son OF consulting engineer apparent Mayor Sweey will
refreshing nayete but finally the council upon
of Louis Kelsey and made a contract with him.
AS matter Of fact Engineer Kelsey whose qualifications
under got the JOB because he happened into town
September 20 1916 from Eo Nevada having heard that there
about to be waerwor system installed He engaged spe
ca meeting the city council October H. nearly and hall
system If MIR Kelsey had not dropped in there telling whether
council 0' ''V ''''''" mayor '''
Surely by systematic investigation during the eleven months that
elapsed between the time that present administration
council were they possessed of ordinary competency to handle that
particular matter could have obtained the services of satisfactory
engineer
We believe that failing anticipate the need of an expert en-
gneer by the time that the turned over the M adj
mnisraton proved itself either performance of duty
the city relative the at hand and that MISUNDERSTANDING the
disclaimer OF Mayor Sweeey the delay cenufab
On the evening Of October IL when determined hire
Mr. Kelsey Mayor Sweeey Remarked If act some othel
council may take six months discussing question securing
engineer have done discussion matter of securing
fore October H. 1916 and should have of start
ing six months prior to that date.
The mayor the meeting question expressed the hone that
the report should be ed on February contract election
could be held early March and the bonds disposed
let during that month April work might begin by
May This leaves much be hoped nothing assured ac
the question OF securing the promptly
whole preliminary might have been
have had the contract let and the work driving construction
the time that Mr. Kelsey engaged prior expiration
Of the eighteen months mentioned in his conditional resignation
In regard to the unfortunate condition of the cv wafer for
considerable period while the system was under alter
alton last which the mayor dey esteps the troube Law
the fact that the failed over the point
when drained the Previously some daring fist
had from time to time taken mains and occasion
ally had out through the yans never prese
by the wholesale Had the city shown unor
tunate lack OF foehought that they seeking an x
pert they might have reasoned that the company had left
bad shape otherwise fish into
mains Failing to appreciate this water was drained out an,
the fish, having other place through the tori
and large shoals water mains In passing