Rock Island Argus., 1916-01-06
MURRIN EXPLAINS
|. .SHARP'SREMOvAL
In Statement to the Public Commits.
si0ner Says Move Is Made In
Interests OF Economy.
WATER TESTS WILL CONTINUE
Claims This Work Has Been In Charge
OF George Etzel for the Past
Three Years.

le explains his reasons for the re-
noval of R. W. Sharp, superintendent
If the water works.
The communication follows:
To the Public: l feel that an
explanation is due the public Of
my reasons for deciding to dis
pense with the services of R. W.
Sharp. the superintendent Of water
works, as well as to correct some
false impressions that are being
greatly fostered at this time. My
predecessor In the department OF
public property had no mechani-
cal training or experience, and it
was absolutely necessary for the
city to hire a man capable of run
ming the entire department. An
ordinance was passed creating the
Office of superintendent Of water
works, and Mr.. Sharp was ap-
pointed.
was elected on the theory that
my past experience Of 10 years as
superintendent Of water works
qualified me to assume full charge
of the department, and If l cannot
do so I feel that l have no right
to draw my salary as commission
er, as l shall not consent to be a
figure head. The work Of this de-
partment consists almost entirely
in the management and supervi-
sion of the mechanical end.
Water Tests to Continue.
I cannot emphasize too strongly
that Mr.. Sharp's absence will in no
way affect the tests for pure water
that are made by the city. Mr..
Sharp is not a chemist, neither Is
he a bacteriologist, he Is simply a
man familiar with filter construc-
ton. George Etzel has been as
sisting in the laboratory work, and
making the daily water tests for
the past three years, and he did
the same work during the IS
months that Mr.. Birdsall, who was
a chemist and bacteriologist, had
charge of the plant before Mr..
Sharp came.
Mr.. Etzel is thoroughly posted
on every detail Of this work, and
he will continue to do it in the fu-
ture, just as he has in the past.
Every month Mr.. Etzel sends
samples of the city water to the
state water survey department Of
the state university, so as to COM
pare with the tests made by the
city. l wish to assure the public
that Mr.. Sharp's removal will not
in the slightest degree affect our
system of pure water. There will
be no change in the laboratory,
and the same methods will be used
in the treatment of the water, and
the same process will be followed,
Lllcit AlCio bCCI pa detlSSo o4iNS tiS
laboratory was installed.
Our filter plant is simple and
efficient. The head operator at the
plant, James Roach, thoroughly
understands the filters and valves,
and all connections with the plant,
he has had 20 years experience as
an engineer on the river, IA of
them in the government service,
and he has had three years expe-
rience with electric pumps. The
appointments of all subordinates
have been made with a view to
bettering the service.
1t will become apparent, on a
moments reflection, that Mr..
Sharp's duties, for which he is re-
ceiving 5000 per month, are now
confined to purely clerical work,
including the keeping of the time
of the men in the department. l.,
myself, am performing, and pro-
pose to perform, all the other
duties of superintendent Of the de-
| partment.
A city chemist, such as they
| have In Moline, has been suggest
ed and | am not opposed to the
idea. His services would be avail.
able to the water and health de-
| partments in making tests for pure
| water, milk, ice cream, food, etc.
We can secure competent bacte-
biologist to do this work for one
half the salary that Mr.. Sharp is
now drawing for his very limited
services. Mr.. Sharp is not able TO
do this work.
Condition Of Pumping Station.
After we assumed office the may
or and commissioners visited the
pumping station at Second avenue
and Twenty-fourth street, and
found it in a deplorable condition
Steam ICES leaking so badly one
could not hear in the plant, the
hydraulic valves in the basement
leaking, and allowing thousands OF
gallons of water to go to waste
and other conditions that do not
care to mention publicly. The
plant was as nearly run down as
possible, and yet keep going.
have had all of the defects rem.
edied, have had the Snow pump
overhauled, and ON the sole iterl
of coal used. | am now saving tbs
city approximately 500 per month
When l assumed office l tool
charge of the pumping station, tht
reservoir, all outside work, and al
| other work in the department e1
cept clerical work. with the ex
ception that l left Mr.. Sharp II
charge of the work Of placing tn,
new turbine pump In shape. Thi: