Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-01-22
III MADE THEM SORE
To Think How Greatly They
Were Bamboozled
IN THE VAULT FIXTURES DEAL
Supervisors Reseind all Action and VII
Start AiIesh on the Matter Today.
County Physician Hired.

When the supervisors were called 10
order yesterday morning each ofheer
held ID his hand copy OF The HERALD,
in which was gwen the entire history
Of the vault fixture proceeding ana the
combination formed by the three conl-
panies bidding to mulct the county.
The matter Was opened up yesterday
by Ito Hottman-keete company pre-
seating = petition, saying That oy rea-
son o. the combine the BIDS nrst sub
mittca ranged from 40 To so per cent.
higher than the goods were really
worth. A proposition WAS made 10 put
the t.xtares IN for 81 900 less than the
Fenten company's bid, and It was asked
that al. past action be rescinded and
new b.ds advertised for. Copies OF the
agreement entered into between The
rival companies were passed around
and another was appended 10 the Pc
tition. A motion was made by su-
pervisor Gould to refer the matter
TO committee of three, the latter 10
consult with the prosecuting attorney.
The suggestion Was made that the pros
ecuting attorney had already gwen II
as bis opinion that the committee would
be compelled to sign the contract, and
that such action would be useless. Inc
motion was lost by u vote OF 20 to Ia.
After ordering the petition spread up
on the minutes, discussion was dropped
until later, when Supervisor Colson
opened II Up again with a resolution
reoitlng the details of the combination
and the attempt to exact from the
county price so exorbltant that each
could share profit whether the con-
tract WAS secured or not. 1t was re-
solved that all legislation touching up
on the furnishing of vault fixtures be
resclnded.
Excused Them from Voting.
Supervisors Frost apd Leppink wanted
to be excused from Voting. BY vote
of nineteen to sixteen they were al.
lowed TO withhold their vote. The
resolution was then put and carried
without one dissenting voice. Super
VISOR Loomis moved that a committee
OF three be authorized to buy the fix
lures where the best terms could be-
secured. the total cost not to exceed
$1,000. The motion was made special
order fer today. A gentleman familiar
| with the case and its legal aspects. re-
marked at the close: lone serious
mistake or oversight made by the board
was not to specifically reject the bids
AS it now stands, the condition Is the
Same as when the bids were fiys
! opened"
Building Committees Report.
The court house building committee
rendered an extenuated report upoy
the condition of things generally. tt
! date the stonework and copings con
tract had been awarded to Herth
Sons at $500; SliS, 606.27 has beer
| paid on contracts. and Sl6,77S.56 TO
| extras ordered bv the board. Sproul
| McGurrin will put in place seventeen
NANTES for $79o-S47 each. There still
remains unpaid on outstanding con
! tracts $50, 900, not including the stone
| walks, gas fixtures and elevator.
| A contract was made with the prose
! cutting attorney, by which be is TO fur
nish his legal services when needed To-
| $50 per month.
| The committee on public building
reported the changes and improve
| ments needed at the county jail.
was thought that there should be a bet
ter heating apparatus, an iron b&tf
tub, and that the upper story OF thu
north wing should be remodeled fo
| cell purposes. 1t was recommended
that $3.50 be appropriated for this pur
! pose.
Five medical men wanted the posi-
| ton Of county physician. The loves
bid was submitted by DR.. Penwarden
$500, aud he was given the job.
In accordance with q request from
the committee on claims, the prosecut
ing attorney gave it as his opinion tina
the county was liable for one-half o
the salary of the police court bailiff
but that the city should pay all sheriff
fees i'll the superior court.