The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-13
IT may Cause A DELAY
COuncilmen Differ About the Inter-
probation Of a Joint Resolution.
CLAIMS OF THE COMNONERS
Because OF This Divergence the Meeting
Called for Tuesday Evening to Con.
slider Bids for the Linden Street
Bridge Had to Be Postponed.

"A SuIllcltnI nulnDeF oI members Ol
the joint streets and bridges committee
of councils met Tuesday night for the
purpose of considering the bids for
building the iron work of the Linden
Street bridge, involving over $4,000.
Nevertheless the assertion was made
that no quorum was present. Between
the lines Of this assertion 1t has been
learned that the committee is divided
upon an important question, in which
the common branch members take one
position and the select members take
view radically opposite. Until the
matter is settled it involves a delay in
awarding the bridge superstructure
contracts.
A resolution of select council con-
firmed by the common branch provides
that the joint streets and bridges COM
mittee shall consider the bids and when
report has been decided upon the
committee shall inform the mayor, who
| shall call joint session of councils to
award the contract. Commoners
Reagen and Battle, before the meeting
of Tuesday night was formally called
! to order, argued that the Linden Street
bridge bids could be considered only
in conjunction with those for the
Roaring Brook structure Mr.. Manley,
of the select members, coincided with
! the opinion Of the commoners, and be-
fore the meeting had been formally de-
clared in session left the room with
Members Reagen and Battle to confer
with Councilman Howe, who was in the
corridor.
They Left the Building.
A moment later the members in the
corridor requested that the resolution
providing for the awarding of the con-
tracts be given to them. The clerk eX-
planned that to take the measure from
the files would be an infraction of the
city ordinances, whereupon the COM
mon council members left the building
The Edge Moor Bridge company of
Wilmington Is the lowest bidder on the
Linden street bridge. The arguments
of the commoners left the impression
that If the bid of any other company
on the Roaring Brook bridge, which
company had also bid on the Linden
| ClIttl DIluStt SHONS lldl IIle lNO
bridges can be built by such company
cheaper than by any other concern
then the two contracts should be
awarded to the one company. The or
dinances provide separately for appro-
priations of $l25,0OO for each bridge
and the advertisements for proposals
invite separate bids to be presented on
different dates; the selectmen contend
that these provisions refute the posi-
tion of the common branch members
Aside from the differences mentioned
the committee will probably agree upor
the use of asphalt instead of plank as O
flooring for roadways and sidewalks
The cost will be from $4,000 to $4,000
greater but 1t is expected that even af.
ter paying inspectors salaries and other
incidental expenses, $4,000 will be lef
over from the original appropriation
and can be applied upon the Roaring
Brook bridge. lit is anticipated tina
upon the last mentioned structure thu
bids will possibly slightly exceed tht
city engineers estimate. The bids fol
building the superstructure of the
Roaring Brook bridge will be read to-
night in either select or common coun
Gil.