The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-21
THE BRIDGE COMBINE.
Methods by Which the Law Concern
ing Public Contracts is Evaded.


| TO the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
A few years ago many counties in Indiana
| became notorious Qather than noted be-
cause of peculiar and disreputable trans
actions between the agents Of supply houses
and the township trustees. Through agita-
| ton, exposure and some wholesome changes
| in the laws regarding trustees these dis
reputable practices appear to be pretty
thoroughly broken up. But new danger
now confronts the taxpayer, and, in some
| counties at least, is already causing unfa-
vorable comment and talk of injunction.
refer to the bridge combine throughout
Indiana, and the corruptng influences
which it is eXerting. The methods of this
combine are somewhat peculiar and yet
entirely "nonpartisan." The combine" is
law unto ITSELF and is thoroughly organ
lied, but its bylaws do not seem to provide
for annual or biennial sessions; they are
all special" The State is just as apt to
be ''redistrcted in June as in January, and
then a district is subject to subdivision in
September Tor any other month"; There are
other peculiarities about the combine" It's
districts are large or SMALL the territory
contiguous or disconnected just suits
the powers in control. OF late it seems to
be the policy to so district that the same
bridge company will not have much adj
joining teritory-a county or two in the
eastern portion, one down toward the Ohio
river and some others up where black bass
nibble at the heads OF the rivets in the
piers which support the spans. But the
districting of the State by no means ends
the work Indeed, no; it is then ready for
work, Tor there are statutory laws to evade
as Well as Conscientious county officials to
convince that they contract better than
by following the laws. The first thing that
the agent of bridge company that is in
''cOmDinp' Is q
isfy board of commissioners that they can
make private contract on better terms
than they can ever get by advertising for
bids But is it legal to contract in that
way?" 'Oh, possibly not by d strict inter-
probation of the law, but If you save your
county money no one is going to kick" In
many cases the argument of the agent will
| win, and private deal is made, to be fol-
| lowed by another, and then a half dozen,
| until thousands of dollars are paid out on
| Illegal contracts, which any taxpayer in
! the county could annul by bringing action
| to enjoin.
But suppose the argument of the agent
| fails to convince? Why, then the board is
] then given an object lesson. A notice of
| letting of contracts is printed in some coun-
| ty paper six or eight bridge manufacturers
| put in bids, the day for opening them ar
| rives-ditto agents of the bridge companies.
! with a great outward manifestation of
| rivalry, but with inward knowledge of the
| power of the combine" The bids are
| opened often in secret chamber, no one
! except possibly the county auditory aside
! from the commissioners ever having
| hliOW1cllSS VI the figures Dlu on any
| as they are not entered Of record, or in
| any way placed before the public. The bids
are all rejected. TOO high?" Nobody
| kl ows; but in few weeks, without public
notice being given, contracts are privately
| let for these identical bridges. accompanied
by the authorized statement from the board
| that the county has made so many hun
dreds of dollars by contracting privately
for bridges. Thus the obstinate commits
| sioner is convinced that a quiet deal beats
a public letting, and he becomes an easy
victim.
There is no palmer law on the statute
| book than that relating to the construction
| of bridges. and few that are more openly
| disregarded. How any board of commissions
ers dare boldly evade the statute, which
! directs that, first a survey and estimate
! shall be made; and, second that bids shall
| be advertised for at least twenty days be-
fore any contract for a bridge is let, are
/ questions which to-day should deeply con-
Germ the taxpayers and voters of nearly
| half the counties in Indiana. Remember
De Kalb county, There should be no others.
| There is no politics in the bridge com
| bine'' in Indiana, There should be none in
| the combined determination of the people
| to destroy 1t. FLEMING RATCLIFF.
| New Castle. Sept 49,