Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-04-13

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Minneapolis, and find there are many COM
olaints against it. don't want to discoHr-
age the erection of the Fort Smelling bridge
oy too high an estimate, nor do wish to
compromise my own reputation by too low
IN estimate.
The Chair and Secretary in chorus-Cer
tainly not.
Mr.. S.-Most careful estimates should be
made, and then they shonld be discussed pri-
vately.
This seemed to afford the secretary dar
ling cue, and he Immediately suggested a
private conference of the board.
Mr.. S.-The location of the bridge can be
reserved until all other matters are settled.
The masonry contractor will be benefited by
having two months in which to get his ma
ch1nery, &C., together. The contracts can
be drawn according to circumstances. The
length Of time in which the contract would
have to be completed can be SO arranged
that what was performed In the way Of
quarrying, &C., could be deducted, and the
number of piers can be determined upon
after he has commenced those preliminaries.
The Secretary-Can you give us an esti-
mate?
MIR. 81 can, and should like to make
them most carefully.
The Secretary suggest we regularly en-
ploy, say two engineers, who will have to
furnish us confidential and very careful esti-
mates.
The Chair-That will cost money.
MIR. S.-The use of preliminary estimate
is to enable us to arrive at decision as to
the general plan and arrangements. The
- oh nf rSyo<
rect. and it would be we'll done if it came
within 10 per cent. of the actual cost. Bid
ders for the contract will probably vary as
much as 20 per cent. in their offers.
Mr.. Lindeke Surprising close estimate
is made, can we not then advertise for the
construction of the piers?
The Chair-There are many different
characters of bridges, and much of the en-
cheering talent of the country has been
exclusively devoted to bridge construction.
Among all these varieties we shall have to
decide which to adopt.
The Secretary-The first thing we want is
consulting engineer. Then, if his esti-
Inmates show the expenses would make the
matter hopeless, let us drop it.
The Chair-f the estimates showed that
the bridge would cost Ramsey county $780,
600, should favor it.
Mr.. Lindeke-If the estimates showed il
would cost $4,000, it might not cost that
much.
The Secretary-No engineer will risk his
reputation by making his estimate too low.
The Chair-Engineers cannot always tel
what thing will cost. Contractors differed
| in their bids for work from 25 to 100 PEI
cent.
! Mr.. S.-The estimate ought to be within
20 per cent. of the actual cost. By cores
ponding, ETC., they ought to come ever
closer than that.
| The Chair-Bridge companies will occa
sionally build for very low figures.
Mr.. L.-Before we advertise we will hav,
to specify what we want.
The Secretary-We want an engineer.
Mr.. Thornton-We must have plans be
fore we advertise.
Mr.. S.-You can decide first on the piers
The specifications for the superstructur
could be so drawn as to give bidders com
mon ground as to the tension, ETC., of tn
bridge on which they can calculate thei
bids. Then you can let the builders furnisl
their own plans.
The Chair-What would it cost to max
the estimates?
Mr.. S.-That depends. No engineer Wi
make estimates, unless he is to have charg
of the work. Estimates require good dea
Of work and much study, and every enginee
likes to carry out his own work and ideas.
The Secretary move we have a privat
session and appoint an engineer.
Mr.. s., rising-I don't wish to be present
of course, when you appoint the enginee
I'm going to dinner.
Mr.. Thornton-Will it not require tw
more piers on the No line than the other
below?
Mr.. S.-The cost of the bridging il
creases with the length.
Mr.. Knapheide- is the length of tI
longest line.
Mr.. S.-About /, 200 feet the shortest
about. 1000 feet.
The Secretary press my motion.
Mr.. Sewall here withdrew from IL
room.
Mr.. L.-H we elect an engineer, how muc
will he require?
The secretary was here all Impotence
ride the secret goat, SO his motion to go mi
a star chamber was put and carried.
The chair, beaming on the three Fab
pushers- Either you can withdraw, gentl
men, or we will vacate.
The reporters, being in the minority, ho1
orably withdrew in fair order.
The commission, rid of the pesky men
news, expended wind and time in secret CO
clave, but failed to agree in their object
+ secrecy, the election of an engineer.