The herald., 1897-02-20
BOARD Of PUBLIC WORKS
Important Matters Up for
Consideration
IMPROVEMENT OF The Streets
Move to Substitute Decomposed
Granite for Gravel
FOUR BIDS ARE PRESENTED
The Change Is Warmly Advocated by the
Street Superintendent
Who Recommends That the Specifications Be
Changed Accordingly
The Price of the Two Materials Is Substantial
Iy the Same-The Wiltshire Boulevard
Proposition = Other General
Business Transacted
FOUR BIDS ARE PRESENTED
The Change Is Warmly Advocated by the
Street Superintendent
Who Recommends That the Specifications Be
Changed Accordingly

Tne prlnClpal matter peIOTe tIle pOdru
of public works yesterday was the con-
sideration of bids to furnish decom-
posed granite for use on the streets in
place of gravel, which has been the ma
terial heretofore named in the specifica
tions. Bids were advertised for some
days ago, and on Monday last the pro-
posals were read and referred to the
board of public works. The bidders
were in hand yesterday morning with
their samples, which were displayed on
one of the desks. Street Superintendent
Drain was also on hand to advise with
the members of the board.
The following were the proposals pre-
sented, the contracts to run for one year:
The Escondido Gold Mining compony
proposed for the sum of $2.95 per cubic
yard. delivered on board cars on switch
or siding of the Santa Fe railroad he
tween Third and Seventh streets.
]. A. Fairchild proposed for the sum
Of 771s cents per cubic yard, delivered
in chutes, or 72ls per cubic yard on board
cars at point of delivery.
M. NJ Levering proposed, delivered in
chutes or wagons at the corner of First
and Bonnie Brae, at AZ cents per cubic
yard; at the corner of Sixth and Alva-
RADIO streets at ~ cents per cubic yard;
at the corner of First and Hoover streets,
3S cents per cubic yard; at'the corner Of
Temple and Rino streets, Sc cents per
cubic yard on wagons; at the corner of
Beaudry avenue and Bellevue avenue,
at AZ cents per cubic yard on wagons;
or will deliver said granite at any place
A. -.4,x l..
perinteAdent for the sum of l cent per
cubic yard per mile in addition to above
prices.
Edwards &c Beyrle proposed, delivered
at Sisters hospital. fob, cars for the
sum of 40 cents per yard.
All of the members conceded that It
was necessary to take steps to secure
proper material for use on the streets,
and that the decomposed granite was
the proper thing. The scarcity of gravel
and the difficulty of securing a proper
quality was freely commented upon. 1t
was only question of cost. and in this
respect it will be observed that there
is considerable difference in the bids.
The members carefully examined the
specimens presented, and commented on
their qualities. All agreed that the Es-
Condido sample was a good article, but
the price put it out of the question. This
granite is really very low grade of gold
ore, and there are thousands of tons of
1t on the dump at the mines. AS one
of the members facetiously remarked,
Los Angeles was generally admitted to
be the paradise of the world, and there
was no necessity for paving the streets
with gold to add to its attractiveness.
Then there would always be the dan
ger of people prospecting the streets in
the hope of finding stray nuggets. The
Fairchild sample was also very favor
ably considered, but as Mr.. Levering, the
lowest bidder, said that he could fur
nish identically the same kind of ma
terial, under more favorable conditions,
and only little more than half of the
price, this apparently shut out that gen.
tleman, especially as he had another
sample which he said would
improve it if it was combined
with it. He offered to furnish both
qualities at the same price. The figures
given by Mr.. Levering make his material
cheaper than common gravel, and many
of the contractors present did not think
that he could afford to enter into con-
tract at his quoted price. Mr.. Levering,
however, offered to give good and
sufficient bond for the faithful perform
ance of his contract, II it was awarded
him, and this apparently settled the
question.
Street Superintendent Drain was very
proposition be accepted, and the speci-
fcations for graveled streets changed
accordingly He plainly stated that
there was very little decent gravel in
the city that could be obtained for street
work, and as the council could now get
the granite for the same price they
should do so. Mr.. Drain said that the
specifications should be so changed as
to require contractors to purchase the
approved city granite for street work,
and that the streets should be properly
rolled with the city's steam roller, which
would be rented at a certain stipulated
daily rate. If this was done the city
could get good streets. AS it was now,
light horse rollers were used, and they
were unsatisfactory; besides, most of
these rollers now in use are badly worm
and the work is unsatisfactory The
thing to do was to make an examina-
tion and see If sufficient quantity of
the material could be furnished, and
then change the specifications.
The matter was taken under consider
alton until the members of the board
could investigate as to the quantity of
the material contracted for by the lowest
bidder.
Mr.. Wiltshire also appeared before the
board to urge that the maintenance of
the Wiltshire boulevard laws be taken
up by the city. Mr.. Wiltshire main
tanned that having at great expense put
In lawns and ornamental trees. the
property owners should not be compelled
to keep the same in proper condition.
Besides. individual property owners
could not be relied upon to do the work.
One man would keep his part in proner
shape, while another would be neglected.
through the absence of the owner, or for
other causes. For this reason it would
be better for the city or park department
to have supervision. Action was defer
red until after the board could make an
investigation.
Mr.. Bullard, the owner of the Bullard
block, was present, and requested that
the street department be Instructed to
take care of the storm water on Main
and Court streets, which had backed up.
and was running into the basement Of
his building. Mr.. Drain stated that he
would give the matter immediate at
tention.
Tho following recommendations were