Phoenix tribune., 1922-03-04

made in the election campaign two |
years ago that there was a redwood |
pipe steal" But the insincerity of
the accusers was apparent, for at no
time, either during the campaign or
afterwards, did they attempt to make
any investigation, or in any way to
prove those charges, thus making it
plain that their allegations of graft
were made only for the purposes of
getting votes.
This apparently is the policy of the
Taxpayers Ticket" for while they
do not directly charge US with graft
in connection with the We're water
project, they allege gross mismanage-
ment and extravaganza in connection
with this work
want to say here that the city ad-
ministration did nothing in secret or
under bushel, but from time to time,
as the plans and the work progress
ed, we have published all the facts
and figures in connection with this
work, and on behalf of the mayor, the
city manager, the city engineer and
the commission l want to say that
We will welcome any investigation by
and reputable civic organization or
body of taxpayers, and that we will
place at their disposal any records
or data in possession of the city and
give them all the assistance possible
in making such an investigation.
The Taxpayers Ticket" in sign
ed statement published in both the
daily papers, charged that the city
administration, by policy of indiffer-
ence and petty politics, delayed and
retarded the construction of the Cave
Creek flood control dam. This state
ment is absolutely false, for the city
commission and the city manager did
everything in their power to promote
and expedite that work.
The question is frequently asked
why was the cost of the Verde water
project so much more than the origin
al estimator" AS l said before all
these facts were given due publicity
as the work progressed, but it ap-
pears that many people either neg
lected or were too busy to read them
at the time, therefore a statement of
them is very pertinent at this time.
The facts are that we were caught
in that great whirlwind of soaring
prices of labor and material brought
about by war conditions, as were hun
dreds of others one concrete example
of which is the Arizona Deaconess
hospital, which was estimated to be
completed at cost of $4,000. Since
then we have spent that much and it
will take at least $4,000 more to fin
ish it.
Our engineers estimate of the cost
Of installing the Verde water project
to Twelfth street and Mcdowell road,
made on May 10, 1919, was $1,30O,00O.
The time necessary for the calling of
the bond election, advertising for the
sale of the bonds, and the advertising
for bids on the work took us up to
March 1s, 1920, when the contract
was finally let, during which time
the increase in the cost of the lum-
Der necessary to build the pipe line
alone amounted to S25O,000 more than
it was selling for at the time the esti-
mate was made. This l think salts
factorily explains the increased cost
Of the Verde water project.
The candidates on the "Taxpay-
ers' Ticket" come out plainly on the
issue of firing the present city man
ager and cleaning out the present city
administration. l certainly admire
their honesty but seriously question
their judgment in this matter. Mr..
Thompson has been in the service of
the city for Is years, serving as chief
engineer of the water works, super
intendent of streets and city manager.
He is familiar with the requirements
and detail of all the departments of
the city, and he has under him a
competent and efficient staff of de-
partment heads, who are honestly
and faithfully carrying on the business
OF the city in the several departments,
and to step in and fire the whole ad-
ADMINISTRATION would ha had business for