The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-31
CALLED It nJOBBERY, !"
Harbor Commissioners Speak
Their Minds to Several
Contractors.
The Arrangement Being for the Sue.
cesSful Bidder to Share
the Spells.

There was talk about "jobbery' at the
usual meeting of the Harbor Commission
ers yesterday, and in consequence six dis
appointed contractors put on their hats
and took their departure. Secretary
Keegan stated before the second bid had
been opened that there was sum of $500
figuring in the matter. The amount in
question was to come out of the pocket of
the successful bidder, and was to be
divided between the five VINO failed to get
the contract. When the bids had all been
opened and the offers compared, both Cole
and Chadbourne pronounced the whole
affair "a job" and rejected them all.
The trouble arose over the repairing of
the dolphins and piling between the differ
ent ferry slips. Chief Engineer Holmes
estimated that $1,000 would be q liberal
allowance for the work, but the various
BIDS were all considerably above that sum.
They were as follows:
Cotton Bros .....................S2994
Thompson Bridge Company. 1884
Healy, Tibbetts & Co ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 29SS
James a. McManon 1854
Darby Leydon Zffo
The five unsuccessful bidders sent in
certified checks for $780, but Leydon & Co.,
whose bid was the lowest, sent in one for
$500. AS soon as the bids were read Colonel
Chadbourne looked at Commissioner Cole
and laughed. Job said Cole, and then
Chadbourne moved that all the bids be re-
jected and that new ones be received next
Thursday. The motion was carried and
all the contractors retired, except Darby
Legion, vino was too Disguised to say
much. He insisted that if there was a
"job" he was not In 1t, and went over his
figures with Chief Engineer Holmes to
prove that his offer was fair and legiti-
mate one. His explanations and proof
did him no good however, and he will
have to bid again next Thursday.
Healy of Healy, Tibbits IL Co. and sew
eral of the other contractors entered pro-
test later on, but one and all were told to
.bid again.
Just wait and see what next Thursday
brings FORTH" said Commissioner Chad
bourne yesterday. These contractors
know that any work we have to do costing
over $4,000 must be advertised. They there
fore figured that our engineers estimate
was less than that sum and manipulated
their bids accordingly. One of the ring
told the secretary that there was $500 to
be divided among the unsuccessful bid
ders, but that at the last minute he had
dropped out"
Postmaster McCoppin's request came up
for consideration, and commissioner
Chadbourne introduced resolution that
places the State on record in the matter.
Just as soon as Uncle Sam is ready to in
augurate a delivery system by means of
the electric and cable cars the Commits
sioners will build postal station. 1t will
only be a temporary affair, but will be
sufficient for all the needs of the depart
ment until the new ferry depot is erected.
During short discussion on waterfront
streets Commissioner Chadbourne grew
angry over the neglect of the City fathers.
I'VE are constantly blamed for the sins of
the Supervisors said he. Masters of
ships go away from here and talk in every
port they go to of the terrible condition of
San Francisco's waterfront streets. We
get all the blame and the City fathers
laugh in their sleeves. A couple of days
ago | went out on visit of inspection, and
| found the City streets-Spear, between
Harrison and Bryant, and Beale, between
Bryant and Brannan-in a deplorable con-
dition. The mud and filth from those
places are carried on to the State wharves,
and it is impossible to keep them clean
move that the Supervisors and Superin-
tendent of Streets Ashwortn be notified
| and an urgent request made upon them to
effect some repairs TO the streets named"
The motion was carried and Secretary
Keegan was instructed to write the neces-
| sary letters.
During the recent heavy rains consider
| able earth has been washed away from
! the trees planted on East street. Chief
| Wharfnger Root was instructed to have
mold placed around the roots and to have
| the trees attended to.
| President Colnon is at present IN Sacra-
mento attending to the signing of the
Bateman Bros warrant. He will see that
either the Attorney General signs or re-
| jects the document and as soon as he gets
back to San Francisco a meeting of the
board will be held to decide upon what is
| to be done. Should the warrant be re-
| jected then work on the new ferry depot
will be delayed until q decision can be OBJ
| tanned from the Supreme Court.