The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-18
Superintendent and COntrac-
tors of the Bridge Fall Cut.
Contractor Complains of Being
Delayed By Inspection.
ESTIMATE ALLOWED
Com missioner Decide To Pay
Bill For Work.
Estimate For Piles Still Under
Consideration.

There is trouble between Superintend-
ent H. V. Hinckley of the bridge in pro-
cess of construction and Contractor w
II Keepers. superintendent Hinckley
says that Mr.. Keepers is showing a dis
position TO slight his work and air
Keepers says Superintendent Hinckley
is childish and unreasonable in his de-
mands and that no contractor could fol-
low his instructions and come out even.
How or when the trouble started
neither man seems to know. 1t probably
dates from the time SuperintenGe Mt
H1nckley ordered II extra piles driven
in the south foundation. After the con-
tractors had followed his directions the
county commissioners refused TO allow
the eStlr1ate Tor extra work The con-
tractors thought that the authority Of
superintendent IIinckley was sufficient
to guaranty payment for the extra work
and though he did recommend that the
estimate for extra work be paid the
commissioners show no disposition to
follow his recommendation
day or two ago superintendent
Hinckley served a notice on Contractor
Keepers that he must follow the speci-
hcations a s ordered by the county com
mlssloners- Some time afterWard he
gave some instructions on the manner
in which piles should be driven.
Contractor Keepers ire was aroused
You may inspect our work all YOU
please, said he. but we Will not sub
NIT to you debating how we shall do
the work and 1 will pay no further at
l0HltOI TO your OTQefS-
That. is what Superintendent F4inclz
ley reported to the board of county com
mlssioners today when he asked for in
structlons concerning his future plans
1 want to see a good bridge put in
said superintendent Hinckley but Mr.
keepers is so cranky I can do nothing
with him. He will not listen TO me-
the trouble that was ventilated be
fore the board today was Occasioned bv
the commissionerssh having refused to al
low the last estimate for the bridge con
tractors amounting to 81 $50 90 at tho
session last week because SuperinteDd-
ent Hinckley Informed the board that
his orders. had not been complied with
-Superinte ndent Hinekley had seI5ss I
that the contractor test twelve pfacss
already driven to see whether they were
as solid as when left Mr. keepers re-
fused e. do the extra work and Superin-
terdent E1inckley. retaHated by having
the estimate held up.
Contractor Keepers was not before
the Doafd To-Day, but ne was represented
by his attorney. H c. Larimer. I'VE
do not try to slight the work. and we
are perfectly willing to follow the plans
and Specificat tons We are complaint
ing about what we consider unjust and
unreasonable inspection.
Assistant superintendent Campbell
stands around and he measures every
two or three blows of the pile driver
and as he has the machine stopped. we
lose one-third or oDe-fOurth of our
time"
Mr.. Hinckley: "Are you not mistaken
about the time taken up by Mr.. Camp
belI2"
71r. Larimer: u speak only of what
I have seen.
Mr.. HinckIey: & will say. gentlemen.
that Fireman Gaines and Mr.. Campbell
get along very well. It is only when
MI Keepers comes down and gives or
ders that there is trouble
Mr.. Larimer: That is a personal
matter between you and Mr. keepers.
and have nothing TO say about it"
The question of driving a greater
number of piles than called for in the
specifications was considered but no ac-
taken
superintendent Hinckley suggested
that the question of whether the con-
tractors should be paid for extra work
should be submitted to arbitration
The only formal action taken by the
board was to allow the estimate of the
contractors which was held up last
week