The herald., 1897-11-11
CAUSING MORETROUBLE
THAT HOSE CONTRACT LIABLE 70
CREATE A DEADLOCK
Mayor Snyder Seen by Disgruntled
and Unsuccessful Bidders-The
Bloody War to Be Reopened

There is every prospect Of deadlock
in the city council over the hose contract
that has caused so much trouble in that
body and in the board OF fire commits
sioners for several weeks. Six votes
will be necessary to approve the con-
tract, while only five were required to
accept the bid under which the contract
will be prepared. The motion to accept
the bid Of Furrey & Co. and to give them
the entire contract received the support
Of but five of the members, and unless
one more vote Is secured a deadlock IL
certain. 1t appears at present as II both
sides will remain firm and that neither
will compromise on anything. The mi-
nority who voted against the award 10
composed of Messrs. Baker, Toll, Math-
uss and Silver, and each Of these gentle-
men has stated that he will not change
his position in the matter. On the other
side the five who did vote for the Furrey
bid are as firm as the others. More than
one Of them said that he will oppose any
other disposition of the matter than tho
approval Of the contract.
With this condition Of affairs existing
it is but natural that both sides are
working hard. On the one hand are ar
rayed the four firms who were left out.
and on the other the successful COM
pany, with a majority of the council be-
hind 1t. The need Of both sides Is just
one vote, for IL the minority can secure
that vote they could undo the entire ac-
tion. while If the majority secure 1t they
could settle the matter by promptly ap~
proving the contract.
A delegation of the merchants whose
bids were turned down called upon
Mayor Snyder yesterday morning.
Those in the party were Messrs Bull Of
the Union Hardware Co., Harper Of the
Harper Reynolds Co., Cass of the Cass-
Smurr Co. and Haskell of the California
Hardware Co. For nearly an hour they
were closeted with the mayor in his pri-
vate office and while their requests to
his honor were not made public It Is
| understood that the visit was for tho
purpose of laying their side Of the mat
ter before him with q view to inducing
him to veto the contract If passed and
sent to him. The delegation received no
assurance of what the mayor would do.
He is chairman of the fire commission,
whose recommendation was twice dis
regarded by the council. If, however,
the council approves the contract, such
action requiring six votes. they could
mass it over any veto Of the mayor.
Members Of the same delegation were
not content with visiting the mayor.
hut some Of them have been to see each
member who voted to award the con-
tract to Furrey & Co. 1t is not known
what replies the councilmen made to the
importunities of these gentlemen. but.
originating from one of them. the report
was in circulation yesterday that they
| had succeeded in inducing one of the
majority to change his views and almost
promise to vote for their side. If this be
true the award as made will be over
thrown. The member was not mentioned
by name, but the report was that he was
| one of those who were the most active
in securing the action of last Monday.
1t is expected that several of the out
of-town hose agents will return before
the next meeting of the council to assist
| In the fight for their respective brands.