The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-06-29
The Ardmoreite's
HOMEF FORUM
FORMER COMMISSIONERS
STATEMENT

Editor, Daily Ardmoreite:
In your Daily Ardmoreite OF June
25 there appeared on the front page.
II statement by Commissioner Carter
regarding the pipeline. In this arti-
cle,, Mr.. Carter emphasized the fact
that Commissioner Wilson and myself
were blocking the progress of the
city's supply of water by demanding
hydrostatic test He stated that the
city had nullified its contract for the
reason that the city had passed a
resolution holding the construction
company harmless for the reason that
the city had some faulty pipes put
in the line in order to get the pipe
line completed. The facts In this
case are as follows: The city passed
resolution holding the construction
company harmless for 5000 feet of
pipe that were used in an emergency
TO get the pipe line completed, and II
was agreed by the construction conf
pany and the city that the city would
stand the expense replacing the pipe,
if this section Of the line should not
stand the test. This however, does
not nullify the original contract be-
tween the construction company and
the city.
Mr. Snelson, receiver for the con
struction company, as you well know,
has been trying to get the pipe line
accepted by the city. for some time;
but as fate would have IL, about the
time he would appear before the city
council for us to accept the pipe line,
some Of the joints would break, so II
certainly would have been foolish for
US TO accept the pipeline in such con-
dition Therefore, we instructed Mr..
Matthews the city engineer, to make
his report, but on account Of continu'
Gus rains, Mr.. Matthews was delayed
somewhat in making the report When
he made his report he recommended
that the hydrostatic test should be
made, and Mr. Snelson was present
at the meeting of the council when
this report was read. Mayor Freeman
recommended that we defer the accept
ance of the pipeline until the next
regular meeting. At this time, Mr..
STelson was present and demanded
that this line be accepted with the
threat he would turn the water off
the next morning If II were not ac-
cepted. And if reports are true. and
they have all indications of being
true. Mr.. Snelson knew at the time
he was making the demands. that the
pipe was bursted. CAS- you well re.
the water was cut off from
The city and Mr. Snelson made the
statement through the columns OF
The Ardmoreite that they were repair
ing the line.)
Mr.. Wilson and / made and second.
I'd the motion for defcrring the action
Of acceptance until the next Friday
night We voted for the motion, while
Mr.. Carter and Mr.. Young voted
against it. Mayor Freeman affirmed
he motion. Since Their, Mr.. Young
has changed his vote and MIR. Garter
IS alone in his opposition to this mo-
ion. Mr.. Young stated that he did
not understand the motion when II
was first proposed, and hence his
first stand
As to Mr.. Carter's statement that
he pipe line was carrying million
ard half gallons of water to the
,ity and this was 100000 gallons
more than the pipe was supposed
o carry, we wish to inform the pub.
ic that this is not entirely true. for
he following reasons: The pipe has
Iot averaged running so per cent of
he time since the water was turned
nto tho line, and the pipe was not
1uilt for one days supply, only to
le repaired for another days work.
This line was built for permanent con
inuous service.
The contract calls for one hundred
pounds pressure on the pipe, in order
o insure the city of Ardmore an ade-
luate supply of water without run
hing the hazard of breakage in the
inc every day or two, as has hap
iened since completion Of the line. The
,riginal estimate was that the pipe
hould carry one million seven hundred
md fifty thousand gallons in place
If one million gallons as stated in
he article OF the 25th.
In conclusion, we wish 10 state that