Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-12
CITY COUNCIL KNOCKES OUT SOME
SEWER PLAN SPECIFICATIONS.
Contract Price s264,521.75 With
Ten Per Cent Rebate to the
City---li0nday Closes the
G0ntract---At Work
in Ten Days.

stairway as on the previous DAY 1Qey
| were CONSPICUOUS mostly for their absence
and only occasionally could one be seen on
the street. Some Of them were figuring
on sub-contraco work but no deals in that
line were effected last evening Most of
the contractors seemed co think they had
been given a square deal. They could see
that Steinmetz & Sullivan were the lowest
bidders and hence should be awarded the
contract. Some OF them had come to
the city claiming to be of impression that
q contractor living in the city would
have much better chance with the
council than those On the outside.
When they saw the bids in yesterday
mornings EAGLE they could see quite
readily that they had figured too high, and
quite naturally they should be left.
When the council adjourned wednesday
night at midnight the members were
tackled with vengeance by the contrac-
tors for information as TO the result Of the
many executive sessions. They were on
every hand given a cold shoulder, and
after a vigorous chase, each after his man,
returned disguised. Each was hopeful
and occasionally one would propose to bet
that he was the winner.
1t was 9 o'clock yesterday morning when
the council me- in another executive ses-
sion. Buckeridge was much disguised at
the fate Of the great events Of the previous
day. He looked wild and gave a fierce
inquiring look a each member having the
audacity to hint that some member of the
council mad given the wonderful snap away.
His unkind insinuations and his seeming
distrust of the integrity Of the other mem
bers was not at all pleasant and came near
at critical moment acting as a boone
rang, which was not at all pleasant.
Healy suggested that he had no idea of
how it was that the secrets got out and he
did not believe any member told it for he
did not think any one could remember TO
tell it as the meeting occurred and as it
appeared in print. He would be slow TO
accuse any member of acting in bad faith,
especially when in his judgment it would
be almost impossible. Glaze and johnson
were looking for the color OF the mans
hair who was either able TO tell it or would
be guilty of such an act. Finally Glaze
concluded that it was not such bad thing
after ali and they might as well go ahead
with the business. He had in the first
place thought it best to do the
work openly so no one would
have an opportunity TO get
ahead in the way of getting
information. In fact he forced himself in
a little while to be pleased that it had
been given to the public.
This brought Buckridge TO his feet and
he asserted that the mathematical mind
of the council was not sufficiently devel-
oped TO perform the great calculations
with an anxious gang of contractors in the
lobby. This distrust of their ability in
this line and caused him to champion the
secret session business. When the furry
was over the business commenced.
Buckridge had hung his hat
over the telephone after thoroughly in
specting it and concluding it was not in
position to act the Benedict Arnold. He
did not notice, however, the phonograph
which was located in the room taking
that sort of expressions.
On suggestion Of Buckeridge the door
swung inward for Mr.. Steinmetz q mem
Der Of the successful firm. He was otfici-
ally notified of the result For getting the
contract. he offered no thanks TO the coun-
Gil, as it was his own figures that had pro-
duced the result. He was asked if some
changes could be made in the plans he bid
on and cost cut down at the same rate he
had figured on the same. To this he
answered in the affirmative, and he was
Informed that it was desired to cut down
the number of flush tanks for the laterals
and sub-maius He said al right, and
thirty-two were designated as being
and the cost Of same, as per
bid, was soon announced and deducted
from the bid.
Then came an old act in the play It
was Healy's attack on the plan for flush
ing which proposed new water works
station in the vicinity of Topeka and
street. He argued that a
station there run by the city would cost
much more than 10 get the water direct
from the water works company for that
purpose. He was OF the opinion that the
service with a seperate station would not
be as good as to get the necessary service,
English followed holding substantially
the same views and fayoring the new
water works attachment being cut off.
Buckridge opposed the reduction IN
this particular and made vigorous ap-
peal for the city being independent of /
everyone fer the necessary water for flush /
ing purposes. He thought it would be |
cheaper in years TO come and a good in 1
yestment.
After an expression of opinion from /
nearly every member 4 vote was taken /
which set aside the water works attach
nent The cost OF same as estimated IN /
The bid was deducted. This TOOK the /
council through the morning session and a 4
notion to adjourn until ESQ p. N.
Carried
At the afternoon session an effort was 4.
made 70 cheaper the construction /
oy doing away with some Of f.
ne manhole5 This WAS strongly 1
objected to By the city engineer who spoke
Is he claimed in the interest of having q /
sever system of some merit when CON-
1leted- To have such . system he thought l
[ very imperative to have all the man
loIes constructed according TO speciica-
ions. Ee reminded the council that on
ne occasion recently they had made a
Wholesale reduction cf uarholes and he /
lad to a degree opposed that and be 1
would certainly strenuously oppose such q
,isn being carried on any further
Most OF the eouuciimen seemed anxious
o make reductions in contract price, but
inally came 20 tSe conclusion that the
Ity engineer was the man who should be
most consulted and theywaived all opinions
Or him
This reduced the contract price 10 sa64,-
2l.sa This Is cut 10 per cent for engiu-
ering expenses which is virtually rebate
o the city.
Mr. Steinmetz in answer 70 q question
nd request said that he would eEieaYor 20
,-,lov sS ,,nr1Sh Wichita fahn- :, +ka