The record-union., 1896-03-29
CONTRACTORS SQUEALING.
They EndeaYOr to Get the Street Con-
tract Away From Touhey.
Admission That Combination Exists
Between the Bitumen Mine Owners
and Certain Contractors.

The Board Of Capitol Commissioners
met yesterday with members OF the
Board of Trustees to hear arguments
looking to the entering by the STATE
into the contract for improving l., FIJI
teenth and NJ streets, around the CAPT.
tol Park, with bitumen, which the city
has awarded to James Touhey, ana 10
paying it's proper proportion OF the COST
thereof
The San Francisco contractors were
on hand in full force, evidently deter
mined, if possible, to freeze Tourney out
and get the contract among themselves,
for they made common cause against
him.
Leonard, Tozer and Kent were pres
ent, and Devine made his appearance
in the afternoon
1t seems that, under the law, the cap
itol Commissioners and one-half OF the
other property fronting the
Capitol Park can, if they so choose,
within ten days of the awarding OF the
contract with Touhey, make private
contract for the job with anyone eise'
and that is what the San Francisco con-
tractors want.
Touhey was represented by his at
torneys, Clinton L. White and A M
Seymour.
". E. Gerber thought the best way
to open proceedings would be TO near
from anyone vino had objections 10
awarding the contract to Touhey. He
had known Touhey for many years and
could vouch for his character.
The Governor asked where Tourney
was going to get his rock, and the lat
ter said that he had not yet made up
his mind, but proposed to get the pest
in the State The bitumen laid on the
American River bridge, he said, was al
ready beginning to get rotten
The Governor said that covered the
whole proposition. He did not want the
street laid down and then crumble ana
need continual repairs He Wanteu
bond guaranteeing the keeping IN re-
pair of the street for a term OF years.
This, on examination, 1t was 1ouno'
could not be done under any provision
of law.
Mr.. White suggested that separate
contract might be made on payment OF
q nominal sum by the State for Keeping
the streets in repair for ten years
Kent said he thought this JOB TO 90
Touhey out of his contract he had
been approached by man while the
matter was under consideration, VINO
told him there was $500 in it If he could
get a bid in that night-the night the
contract was voted on.
The Governor asked if Kent did not
have him arrested, and Kent replied
that he did not, as those things d1d not
amount to anything.
Leonard explained that the contractor
came in after the time for receiving BIDS
had passed, and said he would give SoOo
to get a bid in.
The agent of the San Francisco Paw
ing Company said he did not think Tou-
hey could do the work, as he had no
plant. and a plant would cost him S2O,-
COO. He would enter into private con-
tract for the same price as Touhey and
give bond for ten years guarantee or
the work.
Secretary of State Brown said that
Touhey's bid was the lowest ana ne
should have the work. He moved that
he be required to give bond to 90 the
work according to specifications, and
that if it was not well done the State
should not accept the work. 1t made no
difference to the State whether Touhey
had a plant or not.
The Governor insisted that there
should be guarantee, so that the state
would not have to do the work over
again. and Secretary Brown suggested
a private contract with Touhey, and the
Governor thought that might be done
Mr.. White then renewed his suggestion
of a separate contract for a nominal
sum with Touhey.
The board then adjourned till after