Los Angeles herald., 1892-05-24
Afternoon Session

Afternoon Session.
The council met at O'Clock with all
the members present.
PICKETT STREET IMPROVEMENT.
The protest Of E. E. Powers ct al.
against the contract for grading, grading
and curbing on Pickett street, and ask
ing for the adjustment Of the contract
with Frank Chinoworth, was the special
order, and was taken up. Mr.. Powers
claimed that the bonds were not in &C.
cordance with the bids, the amount he
asks being in excess of the bid. He
claimed that it was to be done at $1.98
. foot, while Mr.. Chinoworth's con-
struction Of the bid brought in an ex-
cess. He was to receive 80 cents per
foot for curbing, and the bonds were
issued on the basis of "a cents tor curb
ing. His Interpretation of his bid was
that 1t was 80 cents for only one side oil
the street.
Mr.. Jones, appearing for the con-
tractor, stated that the amount assessed
is correct. The amount is simply in ac-
cordance with 80 cents per lineal foot
for curbing. If the council construed
the contract to be for both eides Of the
street, he ventured to say that not one
contract for street work made by the
council is worth the paper it is written
on. It would be the same thing as to
say that q contract for 90 many feet Of
sidewalk would be for both sides of the
street.
Mr.. McGarry stated that as member
Of the board OF public works it was the
idea Of the board that $1.98 per lineal
foot should cover the entire cost of con-
struction.
Mr.. Jones further said that the con.
tractor had sold his warrant on the basis
of the bonds issued, after it had been
carefully examined by experts.
Mr.. Powers explained that redwood
curb, such as is used in this contract, is
worth from is to 10 cents per foot. He
held that the contractor was attempting
q clean, cold profit in excess Of his bid
of 80 cents per lineal foot. He got 81 .66
for grading and 50 cents for curbinR, but
now claims the curbing is only for one
side, so that the 80 cents extra is in ex-
cess of the $1.8S for which he contracted
to do the work.
Mr.. Rees offered resolution that the
street superintendent set aside the
assessment made, and make new
assessment upon the basis of $1.98
per Gneal foot, as clearly indicated in
his bid.
At the request of Mr.. Jones, the mat
ter was postponed two weeks in order to
allow Mr.. Chinoworth to be present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
The land committee reported in the
matter of the payment Of the city's
assessment in the widening of Seventh
street, recommending that it be paid,
and that an ordinance be prepared
abandoning strip of land on the street.
Adopted.
Also an ordinance providing for the
opening of Washington street between
Maple avenue and San Pedro street.
The council elected as commissioners
DR.. Geo. r. Weeks, N. Sherman and N.
E. Davidson, and the ordinance was
adopted.
The finance committee presented a
demand for $l806.02 for partial payment
of Mr.. keenan, for q flume on Alameda
street, without Recommendation. The
matter was referred to the 2anja COM
mittee to obtain 9 written agreement
from Mr.. Keenan, as to the balance of
the work.
The city engineer presented an ordin-
ance OF intention to grade and curb,
and sewer Los Angeles street between
Seventh and Twentieth streets, except
that portion lying between the north
line of the Hotel tract and the south
line of Twelfth street, stating supple
mentally that the rate Of assessment
will be 81 per front foot, aside from the
portion excepted. On motion the or
dinance was referred to the board Of
public works, there being some question
as to the parts Of the street excepted.
MISCELLANEOUS.
A representative of the Telephone
company was present and addressed
the council relative to the depth Of
their conduits for laying wires under
ground. asking that the ordinance
should be modified to allow the COM
pany chance to vary the depth at GER
tain places. The matter was referred to
the board of public works.
A contract between the city and
Messrs. Lazarus & Melzer for furnishing
stationery to the city for one year, and 4
bond for $500 was presented. The bond
and contract were approved.
The matter OF the funding bonds was
taken up, and though the ordinance was
not ready, on motion OF Mr.. Rees the
bid of r. G.. Lunt was accepted, and the
city attorney instructed to draw up nec-
eeeary papers.
Adjourned.
NJ