Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-01-29
THE CONTRACTORS.
Why They Want the vrooman Act
Amended.

Amended.
EDITORS HERALD-I notice in this
mornings Times an editorial in which
that paper scored the contractors quite
heavily and might cause the public to
think there was something in it. The
facts of the case are these: The con-
tractors of Los Angeles, after trying the
Vrooman act, found it most unsatisfac-
tory both to themselves and to the prop
erty holders, and have beenHtrying in
some way to enable them to continue
business. We depended upon the New
Charter, but after we found We could not
do work under that, as it was in direct
opposition to the State laws, I'VE decided
20 send man to Sacramento to place
our case before the Legislature and moth
ing secret was thought of. The follow
ing are the chances we ask for,
and you will see the justice OF our de-
mands when the facts of the case are
made known. The most of the contract
ors have concluded to retire from con-
tracting rather than attempt work under
the present law.
First. TO have the incidental expenses
PAID by the city.
Second. To allow the Superintendent
of Streets TO make out warrants for street
work as soon as the contract has been
let, reserving a proportion in his office
until the contract has been completed;
also, that the Superintendent of Streets
he authorized to receive any and all
moneys at any time prior to the compile
ton of work that property. owners may
wish to pay in.
Third. To allow street work to proceed
by blocks.
Fourth. To do away with that portion
OF the act which allows the contract to
he taken away from the lowest bidder
after being awarded.
II you will look at the Vrooman Act,
you will see the most OF these changes
are in favor of the property. holders: :,
First, the payment of the incidental
expenses by the City are trifing, indeed,
but they are absolutely necessary to allow
the warrant to be made at the commence
ment of the work. AS it is now, the con-
tractor is compelled to wait until after
he work is completed before he can
safely state exactly what the assessment
IS. One great advantage, especially to
Los Angeles, where so much property is
held by parties not living here, IS that
they can pay for any street improvement
and send the amount to the Street Super
intendent, and thereby be relieved from
any danger of having liens filed upon
them, or any extra expense added
the amount of Their assessment,
which is liable to happen, as all prop
erty on the face of the warrant is marked
unknown owners"
Third-The allowing of street work to
be accepted by blocks is of Importance to
parties whose paving is being done in
font of their property. By so doing, as
DON as block is done it can be received
ny the proper authorities and by them
-prinkled and swept, otherwise it is apt
to be several months before street can
be taken charge of by the city. as in the
case OF First street. At present it has
been paved between Fort and Los Ange-
les streets, but looks like some back
street simply because it cannot be opened
until the whole street is finished, which
will be some time yet.
Fourth-To do away that portion OF the
act that allows the work to be taken
away from the lowest bidder. as it allows
Irresponsible parties to take the work
from contractor who has figured care
fully on the work, and in our opinion it
tends to demoralize the business gener-
ally. Respectfully E. G. B.