The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-18
TORN UP AND REPAVED.
The Council Alters the Former Plans
for tho Main Street
Improvement.
Not as Much Macadam To Be
Used and Other
Changes
Charges Against the Street Commissions
10 He lnvcstigatod-Ths Chess
Mann 1lume.

After listening to the rough specifications
drawn up by CITY Engineer Reeder and his
suggestions and explanations, the city
council came to the conclusion last night
that he knew more about paving than they
did. They therefore revised their plans for
the paving Of Main street and adopted the
engineers suggestions. Accordingly the
pavement will be laid on a foundation OF
six inches of macadam (instead OF nine)
and two inches OF sand. The blocks will
not be saturated with coal tar before being
laid. When finished, however, the pave
ment will be treated to a covering of coal tar.
lnstead of placing an inch plank along each
row of blocks, the interstices between the
rows will be filled with coarse gravel and
rammed hard. The question as to whether
the city should have the work done itself
under the direction of the engineer, or give
it out by contract, was brought up, and
after discussion referred to the judiciary
committee.
When the Main street matter was brought
MP City Engineer Rseder began reading a
form of contract for the paving. Before he
had proceeded far he WAS interrupted by
Alderman Fuller with a motion that the city
do the work itself under the direction of
the city engineer. 1t could be done as
cheaply that way as it could by contract,
and Helena people could be employed.
Alderman Lissner favored that idea. He
was opposed to giving the work out by o
tract and having eastern parties como here
and bring their wi men. 1t would be
better to hire q competent man to assist tho
city engineer. He favored putting the
money expended into circulation in Helena.
Mayor kleinschmidt said the arguments
wero all very we'll, but this work was to be
lone at the expense Of the property owners.
He believed in employing, as much as pos
sible, Helena people, and Encouraging the
importation of cheap labor. but the law
must be followed in regard to awarding
work by contract to the lowest responsible
view. Alderman Thompson thought the
work must be done by contract, but sug-
gested that it might be either implied or
expressed in the agreement that Helena
Alderman Connolly took the same grounds.
The contract part he did not think the city
could get SWAY from. In order to shorten
the debate he moved to refer the question
as to the legality of the city doing the work
itself, or the necessity OF a contract, to the
luAAolol AAo "oG NS4ASs
The council then went ahead and acting
on the recommendation of City Engineer
Reeder, reduced the amount Of macadap
foundation from min inches to six inches.
be necessary to use gleen timber as there
was not enough dry timber in this part OF
the country. To cover green timber with
coal tar would only hasten the
decay. Mayor Kleinschmidt stated, in this
connection, that dipping the blocks in coal
tar nravinno tn lnyinO them and mailing II
strip on the side, would be lnfringements
on the Nicholson patent, and the city
would have to pay royalty if that plan were
followed, The engineers suggestion about
about emitting the strips on the side of the
blocks, were adopted. The coating of coal
tar on top the blocks when laid is still to be
used, as not infringing on any patent. and
between rows coarse gravel will be used in
stead Of strips of wood.
Aldermen Fuller, Morris and Thompson
were appointed q committee to confer witt
the city engineer in the perfecting of plans
and specifications on the lines laid out. At
the mayors suggestion the street railway
a committee to confer with the
engineer also 80 as to have the plans com-
port to the tracks. This brought out a lit
tie th~ree-cornered scene between Aldermen
Thompson and Lissner and Mayor Klein
schmidt. Alderman Lissner objected to
pio oAAVay ~ "oAkA
only mean delay, as there would be obiec-
tiong and all that sort of thing. The city
had given the company a valuable fran
chise, and he believed in making them live
up to it. Th council had the right to do
the work, and should go ahead.
Alderman Thompson said he was not a
director or a stakeholder in the railway
company, but the council was in some de-
gree the servant of the people, and not an
autocratic body to say thou shalt or thou
GhQ1t not ~ Tho etraot rnSlxuor ~ M
was composed of gentlemen who to a large
extent would contribute to the expense OF
the work. and he believed IN giving them q
hearing.
Mayor Kleinschmidt said that without
reference to who was, or who was not a
stockholder, his only motive was that the
engineer and the committee might have all
the information necessary in regard TO the
tracks.
When this matter WAS disposed of Alder
man Lissner said q grand mistake was
being made in not using 4 plank under the
blocks. Most of Main street was filled
ground to the depth of from ten to fifteen
feet. The filling would wear out in time,
and the street be filled with ruts.
Engineer Reeder said he did not consider
a plank necessary. If there was to be any
settlement of the ground the plank would
not save 1t. Another objection to the plank
was that whom the street was torn up for
any purpose it could not be relaid as we'll az
" OC1ol0s
-Four bid were submitted for furnishing
the city with a rock-crusher, as follows;
Gates Ion company, W. z. Mcpherson
agent, No. 2 Gates crusher. capacity twelve
to fifteen tons an hour, with fifteen horse
power boiler and engine. 81, 500. Stedman
company, seven by ten Blake machine. with
ten horsepower boiler and engine, 81, BOZ.
A. III. Hotter Hardware company, seven by
ten Blake machine. with ten horsepower
boiler and engine, SLIGO; and No. 2 Gates
crusher. capacity twelve to fifteen tons an
hour, with fifteen horse power boiler and
engine, $1.497.7 5. The latter offer was ac-
compauisd by u suggestion that the boiler
and engine be on wheels, for the con-
venience of transportation. The matter
WAS referred back to the committee which
called for bids, with power to purchase the
best machine for the purpose, and u sug-
Restion that it be on wheels.
Alderman thompson submitted a resolu-
ton setting forth that the street commits
sioner was hauling broken rock from his
quarry above Chinatown for use on east
side tho%roughfares; that there WAS a quarry
on Montana avenue nearer the scene OF
work. The resolution called on him TO ret
stone from the most convenient quarry
Alderman Thompson said the city should
not be obliged to take care of the street
commissioner's private interests. BY the