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About The Omaha morning bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 1923)
HUNr SAYS .WATER DATA IS FAULTY Concedes W ater Basin Could Not Have Been Flushed With Water Pumped During Period. MGR. ROWELL EXAMINES WITNESS tinder cross examination by Gen eral Manager K. B. Howell at the wa ter hearing Wednesday morning, A. K: Hunt, superintendent of the water work at Florence, admitted that a memorandum was faulty which he produced to disprove the charge that he had not cleaned basin No. 2, the filthy condition of which was respon sible for the water distress in August, in more than a year. The memorandum, a sheet from a note book with written tabulations of dates of cleaning basins for several months prior to August 21, was in troduced by Hunt early in the morn ing. Before the memorandum appeared Hunt stated that the immediate cause of the muddy water was the dirty condition of basin No. 2 at the time jiver conditions forced a crisis at the water plant when a clean lia-sin No. 2 was imperative to avoid trouble. Howell Fires Questions. According to Hunt's memorandum, written in his own hand, basin No. 2 was cleaned on April 2. After the memorandum was read General Man ager Howell began questioning Hunt. ‘How much water Is necessary to clean basin No. 2,” Howell asked. -"About 22,000,000 gallons, Hunt re plied. ^MKfhat much would have to be lumped in three days after April 2i If this report Is true, wouldn't it" Rowell asked. (Hunt nodded in assent. (Then Howell read from reports the afuount of water pumped April 2, 3 afcd 4. This report showed 19,000,000 low pressure and 16,000,000 high pres sure, April 2; 18,467,000 low pressure (Jul 18,909,000 high pressure, April it; 24.000,000 low pressure and 23, 880.000 high pressure, April 4. '“Now you couldn’t have cleaned It ->n that date If this report of the en gineer is correct,” Howell asked. ' "No, I guess I couldn’t, I didn't if I be report is correct. 1 don't know bow I happened to put down that Bate," Hunt admitted. Hunt Blames Puinpa. •Continuing, Hunt, who waa on the stand constantly throughout the learning and waa to continue to tes ffy at the afternoon session, launched hto a tirade against poor condition of 4iinps at the plant, which he assert d was responsible for the lack of dear water on hand to supply Omaha then the river conditions forced the efisis. ‘ "There wasn't a week that some 8ing didn't break down on one of 1^ pumps. I was afraid something *78r>uld happen constantly this Burn er," he said. 'Hunt could not give dates, but as i«rted that he would stand by a ree led which is kept by the mechanical 'ngineer of the breakdowns which occurred. This record is in the hands if General Manager It. B. Howell and »ill be produced during the hearing. Hunt admitted that all pumps were worked tirelessly and well during the qreok of distressful water conditions. '"But we didn't dare to stop them joeause we knew certain things were vrong," he said. < oulil Happen Now. Hunt was asked If a similar catas yophe could occur at the plant now. "Yes, under similar conditions,” he gtid. ' Testimony was brought out that almllar conditions could not exist as t new 50,000,000-gallon pump has lyeen installed and Is in operation. In feet, this pump was In process of retaliation at the time muddy water *as In existence In Omaha. J Under questioning, Hunt asserted that responsibility for determining when basins are to be cleaned lay With F. L. Mueller, the chemist, and jjimself. "It was Mueller's business to take feats of the basins, turn them over tjp me and then I notified the engi neer that a basin washing was necea (ary,” Hunt said. "Often the pumps were out of repulrs and the engineer ^jould clean the basins Immediately.” wK*.\Ir. Hunt,” Interposed Howell, Scan you state one time from May 1 to October 15 when any of the pumps were down for repairs? Poor at Dates. "I am poor at dates, I couldn’t Alte any particular time,” Hunt re filed. Hunt charged that basin 7 was (caking constantly ami bad been leak ing for months despite his protests and requests to repair It. This leak sge ran Into millions of gallons, he asserted, and was responsible in part it'r tbs 176,000,000 gallons of water unaccounted for which came in through low pressure pump* and foiled to make its exit through the high service pumps which supply the city. ' "Always there are ntllllons of gal tons missing In the plant for vari ous reasons,” he said. "It seems that Some one is trying to connect me up with losing a lot of water which ehould have been on hand for an emergency.” Under cross examination Hunt ad mitted that a report had been made (,r the leakage In basin 7, It had l» ' " considered by the board of managers and steps had been taken to repair this leakage. Figures wio-e produced and admit te<l by Hunt In the face of his charge 'that lack of pumping facilities wan Responsible for not having water on l iml. that from August 1 to August 20 there had been an excess of 56, 4,0,000 gallons carried into the plant V,y the low service pumps. Sensalionnl charges In testimony M*li treduced yesterday afternoon. That an unidentified per not# with a technical knowledge of the water plant at Florence opened a mud valve which, if It had not been discovered, would have delayed furnishing of clear water to Omaha users for an sillier 10 days. ' That shortly after muddy, un th liikuble water begun flowing into Ifc.. * Omaha, plant cmploj es discovered the opened valve and reported it to Superintendent Hunt. That Superintendent Hunt failed to mention the opened valve to General Manager R. B. Howell In a written report made to him at the latter’# re quest that all contributing factors to the water emergency be reported to him in writing. That P. Harmon, chief engineer, likewise failed to report to General Manager Rowell the fact that a mu<J valve had been opened. That 116,180,000 gallons of water pumped Into settling basins at the Florence water plant during June, July and August had disappeared and cannot be accounted for in reports of distribution. Basin Unwashed. That basin No. 2. on which the trouble centered, had not been thor oughly cleaned for more than a year and if basin No. 2 had been washed, as required, the trouble, in the opinion of C. 1). Robison, operating engineer, would have been avoided. That Superintendent Hunt is in di rect charge of washing basins. That breaking of a bypass valve, of great Importance In keeping ma chinery of the water plant working to capacity, was not reported until some time in July and although the breakage occurred in May, necessary parts could not be obtained for weeks. These charges were developed In testimony by Engineer Robison and Superintendent Hunt under question ing by John H. Webster, attorney for the Metropolitan Utilities district, W. J. Coad, chairman of the. Investiga tion committee, and John F. Mortal ity, assistant city attorney. Superintendent Hunt admitted he had been told of the open valve and had on advice of "the boys” refrained from reporting it to General Manager Howell. Chemist Reports Valve. Robison, who was the first witness, testified that Mueller reported the opened valve to him shortly after the discovery was made. "It is probable that In the two days w-e think the valve was opened that 12,000,000 gallons of water which should have been used to relieve Oma ha water consumers was lost," Robi son said. "How could that valve be opened?” Webster asked. "In no way unless It was tampered with,” Robison replied. "Someone had to obtain a key to the valve. These keys are kept in a, toolhouse, guarded at all times by a watchman. Opening of valves is not handled by anyone. Just certain officials ever handle this work." Superintehdent Hunt in his testi mony asserted that the valve is opened easily. Immediately General Manager Howell was on his feet. He directed a series of questions at Su perintendent Hunt to prove that In opening the valve two operations were necessary. Attorney Webster asked Superin tendent Hunt if he knew who opened the valve. “I have my suspicions, but I don’t know,” Hunt replied. "Do you know what motive could have induced anyone to do It?" Web ster continued. "Yes.” Hunt replied. "For a long time Mr. Mueller was anxious to ex periment when we had trouble with mud by opening a basin. It had been tried in other places and he wanted to try it out here. But I objected.” Mrs. Osato Will Return to Japan Gets Letter From Husband Thought Lost in Quake; Home Undamaged. The first letter from Shoji Osato, former Omaha photographer, who was believed lost in the Japanese earthquake, has been received by his wife, formerly Frances Fitzpatrick of Omaha, who is at present with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Fitzpat rick, in Evanston, 111. The letter from Mr. Osato Is dated October 1, at Kobe, »the port from which Mrs. Osato and her older daughter, Sono, sailed. . House Not Damaged. Mr. Osato writea that he and the other daughter, Teru, 3, are well. Their house in Tokio was not dam aged as was first supposed. Many days were spent in Yokohama by Mr. Osato hunting among the ruins for ills wife and daughter, Sono. They had gone to spend the week-end with friends there and the house iri which they were visiting was demolished. Mrs. Osato and Sono tried to reach Tokio after the earthquake, but were told It was useless. They left for the United Stales the next day. Wore Gift Ulotlies. She arrived in Omaha with Sono on September 19 with no personal effects, wearing clothes that had been donated along the way. After spend ing a few days with Miss Margaret Davis, 530 South Thirty-first avenue, Mrs. Osato left for Chicago. A cablegram the first of October assured her of the safety of Mr. Osato and the child, Teru. Mrs. Osato plans to sail November 1 for Japan to Join her husband. He sends word that in Japan there is great gratitude and praise for the generous and prompt aid by the Americana. Gen. Smuts Voices Warning. London, Oct. 24.—Premier Smuts of South Africa called a conference of the power* to consider the whole Eu ropean situation In a speech last night at a dinner attended by the South African delegation to the Impe rial conference. He attacked France for it» policy and warned England and the United Stale* against any "excessive generosity" In the remis sion of interallied war debt* which might aid In further militarlr.nlIon of the continent. * S. S. Leviathan Crippled. Lnndon, Oct. 21.—The Is'vlnthan has broken down in nild-Atlantie, ac cording to wireless messages received here today. The wireless frdm the lilg liner said a terrlfle gale was raging ami that • he vessel might not lie able to arrive in Southampton tn time to sail tor New Vork on Sunday. Nebraska Cattle Win. Holstein cattle, hied al Union eol li ge. Nebraska, won first prlxf In the stock Judging contest at the Texas state fair at Dallas, Tex., yesterday. Texas breeders took most of I lie other prizes. W. H. Blandish of Lyons. O., was Judge, ~ A Bargain Treat ^ Timely purchases and systematic grouping of merchandise have re sulted in an exceptional collection of bargains for Third Floor Day. Our efforts have been con centrated on Third Floor Departments in order that our customers may enjoy the comfort of convenient shopping while taking advantage of the low prices which feature this day’s ^selling. ^k Thursday—Read These Big Reasons Why Third Floor Day Is A Winner For Economical Shoppers In This Big Store Vision for Valuos That’s a prime faculty of the Lookout in the Fore top. The unerring eye of . our far-reaching system spots every special value being offered on the market today. The re sult is that our counters, in spite of the rapid “turn-over” we habitu ally effect, are at all times loaded with high quality merchandise at ^ lowest prices. A Thursday Is Baby Day [Things to wear, things for comfort, things for splendor for the |tiny mite. All selected with a mother’s care and with the idea of economy to save you money on every item. We list here rep resentative items, but there are many others not advertised that are priced very low for this sale. 500 Pieces of Outing Flannelwear Gowns, petticoats, Gertrudes, sleepers and blankets; all are of a fine quality outing; reduced because they are samples and some are slightly soiled; sizes one to eight years; regularly 98c to 1.79; special for Baby Day, ____ Soft Restful Pillows 12x16 inch; kapok filled, cambric cov ering; regular 98c values; special for Baby Day, 63c Beacon Blankets Crib or wrapping size; plain pink, blue or white; reg ularly 1-19; special for Baby Day, 89c. Little Needs For Little Ones At Special Prices For Baby Day Baby Stockings Silk and wool, fine rib, white only; sizes 4 to 6%; regularly 75c; special for Baby A | _ Day, ‘tlC Baby Shirts “Vanta” silk and wool mixed double-breasted shirts; no pins or buttons necessary; regularly l .35; special for'Baby QO. Day, 170 C Baby Shirts “Tiny Tot” cotton and wool mixed, double-breasted shirts; regularly 98c; special 77 C for Baby Day, # # C Baby Bath Robes Well made of Beacon material; in blue, pink and white; 6 months to 2 years; special for Baby Day J .98 Pure Rubber Pants Pure gum rubber; full cut; all sizes; some ventilated; special for Baby Day at Teething Ring* of ivory, 65<* Comb end Brush Set*, 2 pieces, at, Hot Water Bag*, 1.29 Infant*' Carter*, 25C4 Wire Shirt Stretche* . . . 250 Pretty Rattle*, 25( I Rubber Crib Sheets Of pure rubber or rubber coated; bassinette and crib sizes; regularly 98c; 7Qf* special for Baby Day, I Kid Bootees Cunning styles in kid, with little ribbon ties; regularly 1.50; special Baby Day, 17 * C English Towel Feeding Bibs Soft and absorbent to the little neck; special for Baby OQ Day, .AUC Knit Drooling Bibs Double ply under chin; shell finished edges; in pink, blue or white; special for OC — Baby Day, Knit Drawer Leggings for Infants Plain or fancy weave; draw' string at top; special 1 CQ for Baby Day, * Infants’ and Children’s Knit Gertrudes and Princess Slips Wool knit mixture closely knit and shell edge finish; 98c value; special for Baby 7Qe* Day, • 17 C Third Floor—East Rock-a-Bye Swing* The babies like them; un bleached canvass; steel frame; special for Baby QQ . Day, OUC Quilted Lap Pad* Well padded; 13x16 inches; special for Baby Day 59c Toilet Chairs Well made, with little clamps to fasten vessel securely; white enameled; special for B.by Bay Toilet Baskets American-made reed, well made, large sije; spe- QO cial for Baby Day, I/OC Play Yard*. 6.95 Reed Wardrobe*, 1 Baby Bathinette. 12.50 Kiddie Koop., 42-inch, 29.95 Teething Ring* of rubber, 39* Warm Fall and Winter Underwear At Prices that Induce Immediate Buying Now is the time to prepare for cold weather and these low prices on standard undergarments say that Thursday is the day and our Knit Un derwear Department, Third Floor, is the place. The Munsingwear suits for women are a remarkably good offering. A cut price on this well known brand should induce buying in quantity. The Princess May suits i are a good buy for the woman who prefers lighter freight underwear. Women’s Munsingwear Union. Suits O 98 Regularly 3.50 to 4.50 Silk and wool and part wool; Dutch neck, high neck, elbow or long sleeves; ankle or knee lengths; regular and extra sizes. Women’s Princess May Silk Lisle Union Suits In flesh or full bleach; ankle or knee length; built-up shoulder or bodice top style; regular or extra sizes; 3.00 and 3.50 values; QO special at, 1 »J/0 . Women’s Medium Weight Union Suits In knee length, band or bodice top; ankle length; full bleach; regulation and extra sizes; 1.00 and 1.25 suits; 7Q/» special, per suit, I Boys’ and Girls’ Winter Union Suits Mothers will do well to buy an ample supply of boys’ and girls’ undergarments at these low prices. For Thursday, two desirable styles are offered at special prices. Boys’ and Girls’ Union Suits 1 In extra heavy or medium weight, in gray or full bleach; age 4 to 16; closed or drop seat; 1.50 values; QO special at ZrOl/ Boys’ and Girls’ Union Suits With tape-on buttons, full bleach; ages 2 to 16; also boys’ suits in silver 7Q/» gray; medium weight, • "** Third Floor—Center Shop Here Thursday and Save Money Corsets and Brassiers Women who demand quality in corsets will find it at a very low price in this sale of Madam Irene corsets. Two low-priced brassiere specials are also offered for Thursday’s selling. The Celebrated Madam Irene Corsets Corset* of beauty and style; English coutil, Pekin stripe and silk brocade; low and topless, long and short skirts with new fashionable flat back; tops trimmed in lace and satin ribbon bows; reg ular 10.00 and 15.00 values; reduced to Models very desirable for both slender to average types; made of flesh bro cade and coutil; lightly boned; regular 5.00 to 8.50 values; • Special, Muslin Brassieres Regulation top, reinforced under arm, embroidery trimmed front and back; front eloping only; size* 36 to 46; regular 1.00 value; QQ special, Junior Bandeaux Juat a narrow bandeaux, Jhe kind young girls like; made ol fancy novelty cloth; size* 32 tp 40; regular 60c value; OQ _ special, O^C Third Floor—North r Art Needlework Goods ^ Stamped Pieces At Low Prices * Attractive stamped goods at low prices encourage early gift making. Stamped Tea Towel*—Twenty very clever design* that are quickly made, on plain and striped toweling; OC — special each, 18-Inch Center*—Tan and white, with sim ple embroidery design* for outline, French knots and lazy daisy stitches, OC special, each.fciWV Stamped Silver Ca»e»—White and ecru, for knives, forks, tea and tablespoon*, holding twelve of each; 69c and 89c Hot Dith Holder*—Stamped on white, cream and ecru materials, an excel- C lent holiday item; special, each, *JC Bead Mats—A very large assortment of colors, two sizes, made of largo beads; in lovely blended colors; regularly OQ 75c, special, O^C Genuine Imported D. M. C. Fast Color 6-Strand Cotton In black, white and nil colors; regularly 6c; O 1 ^ per skein, 2* Stamped Doll* and Animal*- With u small amount of outline w ork, make a comforting doll for baby's Christmas; OQ _ special, each “wC ^ Third Floor—Wa»t I Thursday, Special Selling of |j Warm Undergarments These specials in women’s warm sleeping and undergarments are particularly timely and are unusually low priced. Buy now and be pre pared for cold weather. 2-Piece Pajania Sets Of very firm quality outing, striped with solid color trimming; ' V neck. k>ng sleeves; slipover style: sizes I 36 to 42; spe- j QQ | cially priced. Extra Size Outing Flannel Gown* Of striped materials, plain and trimmed styles; high neck, long sleeves and but ton front: sizes 18, 19, 20; spe- 1 . daily priced. *• • *7 New Sateen Bloomers * Winter weight, elastic top and knee, flesh and white, reinforced throughout; 1 CQ specially priced, *• Women’s Flannelette Petticoats Made ni<e and full, in plain white and fine striped outing; of very good quality; draw string top with a narrow ruffle at the hot tom; regularly 98c; special- 0«JC ljr priced, Flannelette Gowns Of fine fleecy outing, they are V neck, long sleeves, but ton front styles; all regular sizes; worth 1.19; i specially priced. Third Floor—Crnttr : Queen Make House Aprons 98c Attractively made Aprons of fait color finKhami; pink, blue and tangerine; two styles; sites 36 to 46; regularly 1.49. Third Floor—South Corduroy Robes and Breakfast Robes Front and side tie; wide wale corduroy In blue, rose, coral and wisteria; jcenerous width and length; sites 36 to 48; regularly 3.89. Third Floor—South. Petticoats and Slips Knit Skirt* and Prince** Slip* - Make cold weather comfort sure; fast dors; do not crawl up around the hips or hunch be tween the knees. They fit the figure perfectly; regpilar and g0c '"5.50 Satin.tta and H.ath.r Bloom Patticoata—Fix tra sizes, color* of black, brown, navy, emerald and purple; special, 1.49 10 2.98 Third Floor—South. • I Thursday---A Money-Saver In Women’s Fine Fall Footwear Additional numbers have been added to our sale of women’s new early fall shoes. The majority of these are brand now styles; they have been un derpriced to make the group largo enough to meet the demand. Featured are black and brown and gray suedes, in fancy strap effects, also black or brown satins in the late strap designs. Black Satin, Strap Slippers —Hroad instep straps, flexible soles; wood, Spanish or Cuban heels, reg ular fi.RO value: for ■ ... . ■ ■ ■ «_ ^ Thursday, per pair These smart shoes in authentic styles at this low price should induce buying for the entire season. Many other attrac tive styles for pres ent time wear in popular leathers / Third Floor F.mt. There are lop cabin, black or brown suedes, with leather triraminps to match;mi!itary heel ed oxfords; patent lea ther strap pumps with hiph Spanish or cover ed Cuban heels. Thursday Sale of Hair Goods New York Bob. -A 12.00 value, special 8.00 | i Have you visited o u r Hairdressing Department on the Third Floor? The daylight location and convenient ar range nient of alt equipment makes us able to serve you better anil more comfort ably than ever before. The following special prices *re offered on hair good* for Thursday. Small Switches Of soft wavy, hair; special at. &.00 10.00 Long Switches Beautiful full and wavv. spe eial at. 1 .VOO to 10.00 Transformations -IS.00 values, at 112.00 Second Quality Switches 1 ,}1S to 10.(HI I htrd Floor - K est