The Wilmington morning star., 1943-11-16
CITY Council Reviews
Water Surrey Question

ditional expansion and extensions
to the existing water distribution
system, all of which being requir'
ed as result Of defense and wal
activities.
This application and docket was
filed with the Federal Works
Agency in July, 1871 After due
consideration it was agreed be-
tween the City and Federal Works
Agency that the Government would
pay sixty per cent of the cost Of
the filter plant and the necessary
extensions to the City water dis
tribution system and the City would
pay forty per cent of the cost
of the same, but the Federal Works
Agency would not approve the con-
struction of the Kings Bluff Pipe
Line, and assigned as the reason
that the City had not shown the
infiltration of salt in the water SUI
ficiently often to obtain at that
time construction of he pipe Lire.
Thereafter and during the Fall
of 1871 and for a period of about
two months the water again be-
came too salty for normal use
and consumption, and promptly
thereafter and in January, 1912,
the City Council requested a re-
consideration of the question of
constructing the Kings Bluff Pipe
Line, and supplied to appropriate
Federal officials data of the con-
tent of salt in the water, and after
period of further study the Fed
eral Works Agency officials ap-
proved the construction of the
Kings Bluff Pipe Line Division
of the City Water Extensions pro-
gram, aud estimated the cost there
of to be approximately $1,000, 900,
and consented to grant or provide
sixty per cent of the cost there
of.
After obtaining this approval
from Federal Works Agency the
City officials submitted the pro-
iect to the War Production Board,
and sought from it and its various
agencies an allotment of the neces-
sary steel and other materials re-
uuired for the construction OF the
line under the approved plans and
specifications. All Of the appro-
pirate divisions of the War Pro-
duction Board approved the pro-
ject and indicated their willing
ness to make material allotments,
except the Army and Navy NUM-
tons Board, and this board refus-
ed approval, and THIS prevented the
allotment of steel and construc-
ton materials requested. Thereaf-
ter and In August, 1912, upon fur
Their hearings, presentation and
consideration of facts showing the
need for the construction of the
Kings Bluff Pipe Line, the APP
peal Division of the War Produc-
ton Board reversed the action of
the Army and Navy Munitions
Board and in September, 1912, au-
thorized the allotment of the neces-
sary materials for the construction
of the Kings Bluff Pipe Line, and
caused to be issued all AA-3 rating
or priority, with the further prom
Use and assurance that the War
Production Board would allot the
required steel and other materials
during the quarter beginning Oc-
tober l, 1912, and the Federal
Works Agency and City authorities
were accordingly notified.
Pursuant to this approval and
agreement to make material allot-
ments the Federal Works Agency
authorized the City officials to
proceed to advertise for compe-
titive bids for the construction Of
the entire Kings Bluff Pipe Line.
Thereupon the City caused adver-
tisement to be made and competi-
tive bids were filed. and after
compilation of all bids the low
bidder was determined, report &C
cordingly made to the Federal
Works Agency, and upon it being
ascertained that the low bidder
was not licensed to enter into con-
struction work in the State of North
Carolina an agreement was made
between the City Officials and Fed
eral Works Agency, that the Fed
eral Works Agency would enter
into contract with the low bid
der for construction OF the entire
project, and that the Federal Gov
eminent, acting through Federal
Works Agency, would, in accor-
dance with the grant Of funds
heretofore made, pay sixty per
cent of the cost Of the project
and the City would pay forty per
cent; accordingly a contract was
made with Price Brothers Com
pany in November, 1912, and pur-
suant thereto the contractor began
to assemble his organization and
make preparations for the construc-
ton of the project under the terms
Of the contract, which called for
completion within 200 days.
'In December, 1912, certain
changes in policy of the War Pro-
duction Board occurred and new
officials were assigned to the Utili-
ties and Waterworks Division of
the War Production Board. which