Omaha daily bee., 1888-03-23
PUBLIC WORKS.
Preparatory Steps Taken for the Sea-
sons improvements.


sons improvements.
Sidewalk Inspector Allan has ordered the
layingof sidewalks on number of streets in
the city and the same must be done before
the 4th of next month otherwise the work
will be turned over to the sidewalk contrac-
tor and the cost of the same assessed against
the abutting property. The walks ordered
are located as follows:
North side Burt street from Twenty eight
street to Thirty third street; six feet wide.
East side Thirty third street from Burt
street to Cunning street; six feet wide.
East side thrty-seCond street from Burt
street to Cunning street; six feet wide.
East side Twenty yeighth street between
Farnam tnd Douglas street; four feet wide.
West side Walnut street from Twenty
sixth street to Thrty-first street; four feet
wide.
South side Park (or Center) street from
Thirty-third street, to Thirty sixth street
duane streetl four feet wide.
East side Thirty-sixth street Cor Duane
street), from Park to Francis street; four
feet wide
East side South Twenty-seventh street, be-
tween Mason and Rees streets; repairs.
North side Cass street, from st. Pauls
chapel to Thirty-frSt street; six feet wide.
North side Chicago street, between Thr-
tieth street and hirty first street; six feet
wide.
In front of lot and northeast corner of
Dodge and Twenty-sixth streets; six feet
wide.
South side Pacific street. between Twenty
second street and Twenty-third street; four
feet wide.
East side Twenty-nmth street. between
Seward street and Franklin street; six feet
wide.
South side Franklin street, between
Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth streets; six feet
wide.
East side Virginia avenue, from the north
side of Hickory tO the SOuth side of ShirnlV
streets; six feet wide
North side Jones street, between Tenth
street and Thirteenth street; twenty feet
wide.
South side Farnam street, from Ninth to
Eighth street; twenty feet wide.
THE PAVING JOB.
The BEE, of about two weeks ago, pub
lished an article showing up the possibility
Of a combine in the matter of paving which,
it was thought, at the time was intended by
a number of the contractors of this city who
have been engaged in the public improve
ments in this city. The article was based
upon the objection made by cOuncilmen, who
were supposed to be friendly to certain con-
tractors, to the new paving specifications
alleged to have been adopted by the board of
public works. 1t turned out, however, that
these specifications had been drawn up only
by the chairman of the board and the city
engineer because when the board
met Messrs. Mayne and Heimrod in
sisted upon the confirmation of the
SDecltlcAtlOnS OF 1851, Wllle, aJ lUe same Ilnle
allowing bids to be made under the specifca-
tions for this year. AS between the two sets,
the only difference, was that on streets which
had been brought to grade no extras were to
be allowed for grading, and that in the mat
ter of tar upon block pavements one gallon
more would be required to the square yard of
surface than was required under the specti-
cations of last year. With respect to the
grading, it would be impossible to experience
otherwise than Il saving to the city. while III
the matter of the extra gallon of tar the in
creased cost would be not more than ten cents
per square, which would be more than over
to allow bids upon the Specifications of last
year while at the same time allowing bids to
be received upon the specifications above re-
ferred to-. 1t is estimated that the paving to
be done in this city this wear will cost about
S5OOODO This when tho objection of in
creased cost for the work was made because
of the new specifications, it was feared that a
contractors combine was intended the effect
of which would be to exclude from com
petition all small contractors who
could not give bonds to do the enormous
amount of work which was contemplated.
The small contractors being out of the field,
with the hue and ,ry of increased cost be-
cause of the new specifications, only few
bids would be offered and these would be at a
figure which would be largely in excess of
that which had ever been paid!in this city.
The fact that the board of public works,
however, has gone back to the specifications
of last year, seems, in a meaAlre, to have sat
isfed some of the G2ltractors and
at the same time to prevent
them from the extortionate rates, which, it
was claimed, 20 protect themselves, they
would be compelled to demand 1t has been
learned, however, that several Chicago con.
tractors have concluded to engage in the en-
terprise and unless these effect Combina-
tion with the local contractors it is likely
that the danger from unreasonable bids will
be averted These contractors are James
Segum, j. B. Smith, A. j. Mclean and A.
Perkins Together with the local
looked over the specifications
and it is very likely will present bids which
win be opened TO morrow afternoon. These
bids win be upon asphaltum, Sioux Falls