The record-union., 1894-09-26
MUST ABIDE BY THEIR CONTRACT,
Or Forfeit Their Thousand-DoIIar De-
posit.
McMahan q Sons Refused an Exten
sion of Time for the CO.
sumnes Bridge.

The Supervisors met yesterday for the
purpose of opening bids for the construc-
ton of three trestles over Arcade Creek,
along the county road running through
the Rancho del Paso, aggregating 266 feet.
There were nine bids received, one be-
ing withdrawn as informal, not being ac-
companied by the necessary deposit. The
bids were as follows:
Silas Carle, Sl,29l; r. A. Fairbain, ST.
200; j. M. Hastings. 81. .09S SS; r. w. Nc
Cam, S1.330; T. w. Book, S935; Lightfoot
d Ormsby, 1868; Darby Laydon 81 Co..
$500; E. E. Barry, 1895 with piles instead
of mudsiIls, $685..
The committee on contracts reported in
favor of accepting the bid of E. E. Barry,
including the use of piles instead of mud
sills. The report was adopted, and the
Chairman instructed to enter into con-
tract with MIR. Barry at once.
THE COSTUMES BRIDGE.
Mr.. McMahan Of San Francisco ap-
peared before the board and asked that
his company be allowed until the lst OF
July next in which to construct the
bridge over the Costumes, on the site OF
the old McCracken bridge. He said it
would be impossible to get material from
1st of January. The county was getting
good bridge for low figure, and he
thought 1t only fair that his company be
allowed reasonable time in which to do
the work.
Il. E. Barry, another contractor. being
called on for his opinion, said that i'll d
case OF this kind, where the bid waSlow,
reasonable time should be granted in
order TO give the contractors an opportu-
nifty TO obtain material. He thought a
reasonable time would be six months.
Supervisor Jenkins said that such an ex-
tension would be very unreasonable. The
board bad Information on the subject,
and he knew that such an extension was
not necessary. One of the competing
bidders had said when the bids were
opened that he could put up steel bridge
within ninety days.
Major KruZie Of the San Francisco
Bridge Company informed the board that
in order to be able to bid low on such work
contractors had to do so on the basis of
the cost OF Eastern material. He regret
ted to have to say SO, but it was fact
that material could not be had in Califor-
MIA at figure that would warrant con-
tractor in bidding any such sum as was
bid on the Costumes bridge, $4,000. He
could erect a steel bridge at the point re-
ferred to by the lst of January, but it
would have to be done with California
material, and 1t could not be done tor any
$4,000. 1t takes time to get estimates
and material from the East,
Darby Laydon was also asked his opin-
ion on the subject, He said it was COM
mon thing for contractors to promise TO
build bridges in short order, but they
seldom accomplished it in the promised
time.
He had made a hard fight to secure the
contract for the Costumes bridge, but if
he had got it he could not construct the
fnr nnh MnNI NInt
had bid unless given time to get his ma
terial from the East.
Supervisor Todd said it was evident to
him that if the county was to have the
bridge for the sum named it would be
necessary to extend the time.
Supervisor Jenkins remarked that the
county wants the bridge and wants it
right away. When man bids on a
bridge contract 1t is expected that he
will do the work, if awarded the contract.
within reasonable time. Six months is
not reasonable time If McMahan d
Sons do not want to carry out their con-
tract by the 1st OF January he wanted the
$1,000 deposit forfeited and for them TO
get out OF the competition.
Chairman Morrison expressed similar
views. In his opinion it would not be
just To the county to grant an extension
OF time till next July. Three or four
months was, he thought. sufficient time
In which to build any county bridge
Supervisor Jenkins finally moved that
the Chairman be authorized to enter into
a contract with McMahan IL Sons for the
immediate construction of the bridge in
accordance with the terms of their bid.
Mr.. McMahan asked that the board. be-
fore taking action on the motion, take
steps to ascertain what would be rea-
sonable time in which to build the
bridge.
Jenkins motion was carried by a
unanimous vote.
The board then adjourned until the
first Monday in October.