St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-09-10
A LIVELY TILT.
Col. Glenn ArOuses g. M. FeOte by
Questioning the Methods OF the
Water Board.

Questioning the Methods of the
Water Board.
Commissioner Andrews occupied the
chair at last nights meeting of the water
board. A number of petitions were read
and referred. Collins Homer asked for
permit to make a three-lnch connection
corner of Fourth street and First avenue
north. Referred 10 the committee on ex-
tensions with power to act A. NJ. Dale
asked for a rebate on the water rent i'll the
block 80, Hennepin avenue. Referred to
the committee on claims. Like matters
were given to the same reference. S. D.
Rollins was granted a leave of absence
from his post at the East side pumping
station The superintendent reported the
following amounts due on estimates on pipe
LAYING contracts, and warrants were author
lied drawn for the respective amounts
designated.
John Gleason & Co. ...-.......-.......Sl+4 20
Fred 1oungren.-. $500. 1900. -'--... Io9 OF
a. y. Dolan .....s. '....' '''',.''' 1oo ~
Proposals for laying water mains as 1OI-
lows, were opened: Fred YOungren, Chi
cago avenue, from Twenty-fOurtn to Thir-
tieth streets, 1851 cents per foot; Hennepin
avenue. from Groveland to Thirty-third
streets. 293l cents per foot: Sibley street,
from Eleventh avenue northeast to Thir-
teenth street, TAI cents per foot; Henne-
pin avenue, from Sixteenth street to Oak
Grove street, 80 cents per foot; Second
avenue north. from Washington to Third
street, "A cents per foot; Stevens avenue.
from Sixteenth to Seventeenth streets. q
cents per foot; Broadway, from Jefferson
to Adams streets, SO cents per foot. +. l..
Balch, Oh Chicago avenue, from Twenty
fourth street to ThiTtieth street, q cents
per foot; Hennepin avenue, from Grove
land avenue to Thirty-third street, 80 cents
per foot; Sixteenth street to Oak Grove
street, % cents per foot. Longren 81
Desy. Chicago avenue, from Twenty
fourth street to Thirtieth street, 50 cents
per foot.
FIREBRAND.
1t was moved that the bids be referred to
the committee on extensions. This called
Commissioner Glenn to his feet to enter an
earnest protest against the methods of the
Office of the water board. His remarks
proved firebrand, aud brought Commits
sioner FoOte to the floor to antagOniZe the
proposition ennanciated by Commissioner
Glenn.
Fright here said Col. Glenn, II would
like to ask pertinent question: What right
have we, as business men, to require con-
tractors to put their bids into this office at
until 1880 o'clock in the evening? Should
these bids lay in the superintendent Office
seven and one-half hours? Contractors have
come to me and complained of such proceed
ings. They say that they would not put
bid in and have it lie in the superintendent
Office Three bids only have been opened
here tonight. 1t strikes me forcibly that
three bids are very small number for city
of this size
Commissioner Foote could see no objec-
ton to the system in vogue. He said no
one opened bids but the water commissioners
themselves. He was surprised at the re-
marks made by Col. Glenn. He had heard
of no such complaints.
Commissioner Glenn-As a contractor I
deprecate the principle. 1t is queer pro-
ceeding And there is another matter | wish
to mention. Later on propose to introduce
resolution here to the effect that all pro-
ceedings of this board shall be officially pub
hshed the same as the council proceedings.
1t will tend TO relieve this Office of the sus-
picion that now is cast upon it. OF the three
contractors who told me they would not
bid one has submitted a proposal
When that proposal was received have no
means of knowing. One of these men openly
charged to me that his bid had been tam
pered with in the superintendent office, and
If it is desired I can give the name of the
contractor.
Commissioner Foote-I move again that
these proposals be referred to the Committee
on construction. hopesif anyone has a COM
plant to make he will have the manhood to
come before this board to make it. 1t is not
worth while for this board to take cognizance
of any complaint made in private Office.
Commissioner Glenn-Has not complaint
been made to you?
Commissioner Foote-I had been given to
understand that complaint had been made to
some one besides me, and am free to say as
q member of this board that the method prac
ticed is not proper way to do the clty's
business.
Commissioner Farnham-A man came to
me and said he would not put in bid. He
spoke poor English and paid no attention to
what he said.
Commissioner Glenn here introduced his
resolution to have the proceedings officially
published in paper i'll the city. Commits
sioner Foote had no particular objection to
making everything public, but urged that
the reporters took down the full proceed
ings Commissioner Glenn informed Mr..
F0ote that newspaper men only published
such things as are of interest to the readers
of their papers. Commissioner Foote
then amended the resolution so that COM
mittee of three be appointed to make
specific contract with a city paper, and as
amended the resolution was adopted. The
chair appointed Commissioners Glenn,
FOote and Farnham as such committee.
Then Commissioner FoOte took occasion in
a spirited speech to call UP the matter of
complaints made against any official of the
board, and moved that any one having COM
plants to make in the future should come
before the board.
Commissioner Glenn-The idea is prepos-
ferrous 1t is foolish, and 1 am surprised that
a man of the ability of the gentleman from
the Fifth ward should make such an absurd
motion. hope the gentleman will withdraw
such Schoolboy motion.
Commissioner FOote-I don't want to be
bothered with these complaints but believe
as men we should Investigate them. We
hear of stree t rumors. Let them come here
and we will investigate all complaints.
Commissioner Farnham-Make it that he
be requested to come before the board to
make complaints and will second the motion.
COMMISSIONER oOte-That he be requested.
The motion prevailed
Contractor A. W. Anderson appeared be.
fore the board to have his claim adjusted.
He stated that in laying the pipe on Jeffer-
son street northeast he had to lay the pipe
in six or seven feet of water instead of dry