Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-25

City Engineer Dockweiler yesterday
showed up what appears to be delib-
crate violation of paving contract, the
facts OF which clearly demonstrate the
ineficiency of atsleast one man in the
street department.
Several weeks ago the council passed
an ordinance to pave Also street, be.
tween Alameda and Los Angeles streets.
The work was let to paving company
which sublet the laying of the cutters
to Conrad Scheerer, in consideration of
his having worked up the job. The
work was ordered done under the reg
ular specifications, which provide that
the cutters shall have a aconcrete iounda-
ton four inches in thickness.
The northern side of the street was
first paved and the street superintend-
ent had an inspector on the work to see
that the specifications were complied
with.
Mr. Dockweiler happened along one
day and found that the inspector had
been guilty of gross neglect. The gut
ters were laid, not upon concrete foun-
dation but upon nothing but plain
gravel. He saw the contractor and told
him that unless the specifications were
complied with he would see that the
work was condemned. BY reason of this
the gutter was torn up and relaid in
proper manner.
Upon the completion of the north side
of the street the southerly portion was
given attention, and four days ago the
engineer took look at it. He found
that Scheerer was attempting to do the
same thing as upon the former work,
and again he read the riot act.
In giving the facts to a reporter yes
terday Mr.. Dockweiler said that Mr..
Scheerer was told four days ago that the
specifications must be followed, and that
he promised to have the work properly
done, which he did not do.
The engineer informed a number of
members of the council yesterday after
noon OF the violation of the specifca-
tions and visit was paid to the place.
An inspection of the work showed
clearly that the inspector has not attend
ed to his duty. Alta point near the inter-
section OF Also and Los Angeles streets
there is slight trace OF cement in the
composition supposed to be concrete.
but which is so soft that it can be dug
up with the heel of the boot with very
little exertion.
The foundation is little more than
sand mixed with pieces of broken ce-
ment pavement, and instead of being a
solid and compact macs it is loose and
can be easily scattered.
But this part is excellent as compared
with what has been put in nearer Ala
media street, and upon which the granite
blocks have already been laid. The
workmen were ordered to take up some
of the blocks, and the engineer reached
down and dug away the concrete"
with his hands. 1t was almost identi-
cal with the natural soil beneath, and
utterly valueless as foundation sub
stance.
The councilmen expressed themselves
very freely and forcibly upon what they
characterized as deliberate attempt to
violate the contract and specifications,
and the city engineer said he believed
the inspector to be either "a fool or a
knave."
The street superintendent was given
scorching all around, and the council
men are now asking themselves how
many contracts have been violated un-
der the eyes of incompetent inspectors.
The contractor who ia paving the
street ordered work stopped, and the
gutter will be torn out and relaid before
the work is accepted.
A "Balm in Gllead" for you by taking Sim
7 4 g.