Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-08-07
HARD TALK.

Indu1ged in by the Fort Smelling Bridge
Commission Over a Hard Subject-The
Same Being the Quality and Dimensions
of the Stone to be Used in the Abutments
Limestone Selected, and no Limit as to
Sire Fixed-Sewan on .'The Niger in the
Fence"
The bridge commissioners met again yester.
dsy morning at the county auditors Office for
the purpose of deciding the kind of stone that
should be used in building the piers and abut
ments Of the Fort Smelling bridge. All the
commissioners were present. Cutie contro-
versy was raised BY Commissioner Thornton
stating that 1t appeared to him that the board
tity of stone of different kinds
that should be used. He did not see
what use 100 yards of granite would be in such
structure, but he did not think It should be
left TO the discretion OF any one to determine
the amount to be used. He thought the ques-
ton should be settled then and there by the
board. He did not believe in giving the least
latitude for the contractor to raise bubble or
dispute.
Mr.. Cochran said that c1ausa in the co n
tract would leave the matter of the Quantity
Of granite to the judgment of the engineer.
Mr.. Thornton-I think it advisable to decide
how many courses of granite shall be used.
Mr.. Sewail stated that he did not know how
many courses of granite it would take.
Mr., Tbornton-l stand here to represent the
public, and want TO do the work on good
square honest basis from the word go. We
met for the purpose of agreeing upon the stone,
and / want TO stick to it.
Mr.. Thornton then alluded to the specifea.
tions, and remarked that nothing was said in
them of the thickness of the stone. He sug-
gesteu that the board adopt some uniform thick
ness; otherwise the contractor can put IN any
kind Of thin shell stone, rotten and useless.
!; Mr.. SewaIl considered the suggestion re-
Fiction on him. He had been taken to task
already. There was an article in the GLOBE
rejecting him, and he considered the re-
marks of Mr.. Thornton also rejecting upon his
ability engineer.
| MIR. Thornton did not take his cue fir ON the
| GLOBE; he had intended to bring the matter
| forward the day the bids were opened. 1t is
the duty of the board to see to the matter. The
| contractor might use slabs an inch
thick, and it would not be fair to
other bidders who were under the
| impression that heavy stone We're required
Mr.. Sewall thought the piers would be equal
| ~ strong with stone one inch thick as if they
were foot thick.
Mr. Thornton insisted on his motion.
Mr.. Lindeke would prefer heavy stone, two
| feet thick, even half dozen, if possible
| and he thought that it would be well for the
| engineer to Tx some limit.
/ Mir. Sewall thought it better to make M
| limit, but if there was to be one he woule
suggest 10 inches, but he would rather Mr.
| Thornton should say what the limit should be
| Mr. Daws6n's experience from his duarrie
was that tie best quality of stone was 81,
| inches in thickness-at least his quarry yielded
the best stone of that quality.
Mr. Thornton moved that the stone to b.
t,a hlp nf lace Skopc 1pnhar
thickness.
Mr.. Cochran said it seemed to him that tn
board should be guided by their engineer. FL
does not think it necessary to limit the thick
ness of the stone. Ii they were not satisfied
with the engineer they should say SO. 1t wa
calling into question his ability, and if the
did not think him competent they should a
once get another,
Mr. Thornton wanted to say nothing agains
the engineer, bit he did wish to be secur
from any dispute afterwards with the con
tractor. So soon as the contract is signed tn
specification becomes part of the contract, ant
ii he (Alr. Thorton) was contractor be should
use cheap, thin stone by all means, il the spe
cifcatioa did not call for better.
MIR. Thorntons motion was put, with tn
following result:
Ayes-Lindeke, Thornton.
Noes-Dawson, knapheide, Cochran
The matter was accordingly lost.
It was then moved that limestone be use
for the body of the piers and abutments Of til
bridge. The motion was unanimously cal
RED
Mr.. Lindeke then moved that the enginee
may at his discretion, and with the approva
of the commission, order granite or other ston
named in the bid to be used for such places
are most exposed to injury from and fros
at the prices named in the bid. This matte
was also carried.
, Engineer Sewall called attention t
an article in the GLOBE headed rs there a nj,
ger in the fence2' which be read as follows,
The construction OF the piers Of the Fol
Smelling bridge was awarded yesterday to
! Milwaukee firm. The work is to be done b
Dec 1st and for each day longer which is use
the contractor is to pay forfeit of $500. TIL
looks fair on the face and looks as though
would be quite incentive to compile,
the work, but it is also provided that tt
engineer can suspend work any day or da,
, when he thinks the weather unfavorable. /
the engineer has 1c01na side for the contractt
7 he can suspend work ION account of th
weather." There good many curior
things in the specifications for this job whic
may have due ventilation.
He wished to explain that it might possibl
be imperative to stop the work, and he shout
certainly do it if necessary, and it would onl
be necessary it the mortar were to freeze. Fl
did not know what was meant by the last ser
, tence, without it was the matter alluded to b
Mr.. Thornton.
Mr.. Thornton had not seen the article i
question, but he should certainly oppose I'll
work being stopped for any purpose till aftt
December l.
The engineer was then instructed to have til
contract drawn up ready for signature by
o'clock this morning. to which time the boar
adjourned. 1t is not improbable that sever;
questions connected with the quality of ston
and dimensions will then crop up.
After the adjournment there was consider
able talk on the street respecting the positio
taken by MIR. Thornton and the opposition
, his suggestions by the engineer. Contractor
said that if it had been understood
that stone of any thickness could be used
would have made at least 81 difference pe
yard in their offers. Outside men thought til
board threw out Mr.. Thornton's motion b
cause interested parties with quarries coul
more easily supply stone inch OF two THO
than ten inches, and it would be not half tt
| price to the contra This thoy, o.i5 ,,,