The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-09-19
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Figueroa Street District Improvement
Matter Discussed
Arguments Presented and the Whole
Business Taken Under Advise
ment-Street Sweeping.

Most Of the morning session of the
board of public works yesterday was
taken up with the discussion of the
acceptance or rejection of the bid for
the improvement of streets in what is
known as the Figueroa street improve
ment district. including Figueroa street,
Beaudry ave. and other thoroughfares.
Bids for this work were advertised some
time ago, before the supreme court opin-
ion affirming the validity of the street
improvement bond act. There was some
difficulty in securing bidders, as the
contract was heavy one, and there was
some doubt as to the validity of the
bonds. After considerable preliminary
work, Messrs. Ramish & Marsh put in
a bid, and the board of public works
recommended that 1t be accepted. In
the meantime the supreme court had
given an opinion sustaining the bonds,
and then the property owners wanted
Ramish & Marsh's bid rejected and new
proposals advertised for, as it was be-
lieved that the work could be done
cheaper. The contractors, who had put
in a bid in good faith naturally object
ed to this being done. The matter was
discussed at some length at the last
meeting of the council, and referred
back to the board. The board yesterday
heard practically the same arguments
again gone over, and took the matter
under advisement.
Contrary to expectations, no action
was taken in the matter or preparing
specifica lions for street sweeping so
that proposals could be advertised for,
as the present contract expires October
18th, and there is but little time in which
doy at
has been more or less talk about the
city hall in reference to job about this
contract. 1t is alleged that the real
owner of the present contract Is Johnny
Vaughn, the Fourth ward boss, who
holds it in the name Of Budinger, and
that it was the intention of the council
not to advertise for new bids, but to
permit the present arrangement to con-
tinue along at the present rate until
after the election. Messrs. Munson and
Kingery of the board of public works
when asked about the matter yesterday
stated positively that there was no such
understanding, so far as they were con-
cerned. Both gentlemen said that they
would prepare the specifications just as
soon as possible, and would try to have
them ready for the council Monday.
Some changes, they said, were desirable
and the board of health desired to make
some suggestionsa and for this reason no
action was taken.
The following recommendations We're
adopted for submission to the council
Monday:
That the street superintendent see to
it that the railroad crossing at Workman
street and Alhambra avenue Is put in
passable condition.
That the petition Of Mrs. Carrie Lom-
per ct AL, asking that Santee street, be-
tween Eighth and Ninth streets, be
severed. be referred to the city engineer
for frontage.
That the Rex Oil company be permit
ted to lay steam pipe line across First
street, between Belmont avenue and
Union avnue.
That the protest against the opening
grading, etc. of Connecticut street, be
referred to the city attorney.
That the petition of property owners
calling the attention of the council to
the ruts along the street railway on
First street, between Wilmington anu
Rose streets, be referred to the street
Euperintendent.