The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-29

1t is not shown by the evidence that the
city engineer favored any one contractor
more than another 1t is shown however,
in connection with inspection of materials
proposed to be furnished for public work,
and when necessary to visit other cities
his assistants have been the guests of and
have accepted the hospitality of different
firms, companies and persons who furnished
materials to contractors for city work,
which materials they were to be called on
to accept or reject. Such practice is cal
of the people and should be discontinued.
1t is shown that specifications and plans
nave not IN cases been strictly hoioW NED
get what they pay for unless plans ana
Specifications are carefully drawn and
strictly adhered to. Specifications denote
the standard of work, and when the work
does not come up to the standard it should
emily try to do work contrary to the speci-
fications should not, in the letting of con-
tracts, be considered as the best bidders,
THE evidence shows that the present city
engineer Is capable and efhcIent engi-
neer, but that he has not used suffl-
cient degree of firrnness in dealing with
contractors and subordinates.
The evidence shows that the . clerk aax OF
of the city engineer have charged and re-
ceived from contractors and others com
tions anu other records. We believe that
the practice should be stopped That the
city should either not make COPIES
compensation therefor should be paid into
the city treasury, except where otherwise
provided in the city charter.
1.-THE evidence shows that the Board of
Public Works has violated the provisions
Of the. city charter by following the prac-
tice of the preceding board in letting con-
tracts without advertisement; that the
board allowed the city engineer to let con-
tracts without advertising and allowed him
to receive and open bids for minor con-
tracts.
'Your committee believes that small jobs
of nrlr Chr hfad ny1n hU
city where allowable, but in any case the
provisions of the charter should be strictly
followed. 1t is shown also that the board
has not had the assessment rolls made at
the time prescribed by the charter.
DEPARTED FROM SPECIFICATIONS.
''The evidence sh Tvs that the Board of
Public Works have departed from the spec
ifications in the Fourteenth-street sewer,
and had extra work done, not provided for
therein, viz. BY putting in " connection
at cost of $500, and assessing the cost
thereof against property not benefited by
such extra work; that the board in viola
ticn of Section IS of the city charter, al
lowed persons to construct private sewer
opening into a local sewer when such per-
sons had not been assessed for such local
sewer; that the Board has been negligent
in not compelling contractors and corpora
lions who open streets to put them back
in as good condition as they found Them
and they erred in causing the superintend-
emit OF street repairs TO 90 SuCn WOFk dIleI
contractors, and in not making claims
against such contractors and enforcing col
lection of same.
s.From the evidence concerning the AS
sessment Roll Bureau your committee finds
that the work of said department has been
remarkably free from errors, considering
the magnitude of it, that there is no evil
dence that a single piece. of property was
ever omitted from the roll Intentionally.
1--WE submit the foregoing facts and con-
illusions as they seem to us to be sup
ported by the evidence 1naSmuch as the
Mayor has the power of removal we do not
deem it necessary to submit any specific
charges or recommendations at this time.
Mr.. Young made a motion that the re-
port of the committee be accepted and the
committee continued. The purpose of this
latter portion of the motion was to give the
committee power to act should ne Mayor
refuse to do so.
The ordinance extending the time of PEN
atty for non-payment of the vehicle tax to
Feb % passed without discussion.