New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-13
REPAIRING GAPS IN THE STREETS.
MR. JARpINE REVIEWS HIS PROPOSAL, AND OFFERS
SECURITY,

SECURITY,
Robert Jardipe. whom Commissioner Van
Mort recently styled the Controllers man." has writ
ten a long letter to the Mayor in which he maintains
that his proposal to repair the wooden and stone
block pavements this city at rates below the Commits
sopers estimates made in good faith and based
upon careful consideration Of the subject He replies
Of great length Mr. Van Norris assertions that his
tenders based necessary knowledge OF the
work required that he not personally responsible
and was unable to furnish security for the performance
of the work and that he in default TO the city AND
therefore bid however favorable it might DO to the
interests Of the taxpayers could legally be received
from him AS a contractor whose experience has ex
tended over is years. asserts that his bid was based
ON practical knowledge OF the contemplated work, dc
rived from personal examination of leading thorough
fares In regard TO his ability furnish proper security
for the performance Of the work. he says:
think your Honor will agree with me that personal
or pecuniary responsibility the part OF the bidder
not an essential qualification In contractor who
such deficiency by furnishing requisite
security. Were 1t otherwise the provision OF our con-
tract laws designed to invite and secure competition
between skill and capital the prosecution OF all puDc
works would be sadly defeated. But in this case
1 not only unhesitatngly assert my personal re-
and able TO furnish sucn security both in amount aud
quality the Controller who Is the sole judge IN such
matters would approve. AS 70 my being In default to
the CITY, reference is made by the Commissioner To GER
tain action taken by the late Croton Aquedmet Board In
the matters OF repaying certain parts OF Westst be-
tween Chambers and WATTS s., and the aDnunent Of
contract paving SecODQaVe. from SlXty-DrSt
Eighty In refutaton OF the allegation as to the
work on West-st beg to say that the contract was
tcabe to take and regrade and relay certain portions
OF the work which the opinion OF that Board were not
upon the right grade 10 iacntate 'he acceptance OF
consultation with them. TO leave in their control
the sum of $500 to be expended by them lin case of
omission my psrD in making alterations in the OBJ
jectionabe portions referred to- This sum oonsd
cred by said Board as ample for the work
The notice from said Board TO which the Commits
enable them to appreprate and use the special deposit
for the purpose stated Lastly the matter
10 Eighty which contract is stated to have
beer annuled by the said Croton Aqueduc Board and
that their assumed by the late Controller
during the tendency OF the suit referred to below
placing sme bin default to the city, the contract
course was 50 manesty unjust and So by
the actual facts In the case, that promptly initiated
had suffered Judgment was rendered In my favor and
afterward received from the city the full amount Of
of its departments The contract therefore, by the
decision Of the Court declared TO have been Illegally
nulled and standing as contractor was also infer
entially sustained.
Now. with reference to my proposals before you did
signed 70 repair defective portions Of the wooden pave
ments with similar material, or with other wooden
@ Scd e the
have substituted stone blocks, at cost not
wooden per with the the S 81
advantage Of weltested durability. The replacement
OF defective parts Of the present wooden pavemens with
other wooden blocks may postpone for brief period
their entire removal but il win in the time add
largely TO aggregate expense OF their adoption My
SUBSTITUTION Of stone for wood, and
reasonable period would show completed
and desirable block pavements where otherwise
we can only look the offensive debris OF rotten wood
In repairing the existing stone block pavements would
Of regrade and relay all sunken parts and fur
nish such new stones might be needed 10 supply
deficiencies. And in all l proposed TO DO l ex-
sioner of Public Works. and subject to his approval In
conclusion beg add that adhere to the proposals
now before YOU that / will furnish such security
the Controller may approve, that will prosecute the
work repairs TO the street payements VITA skill and
in good faith, and for the specified by ms IN sal
urOpOsals,