The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-06-08

bridge. On the other hand all the bids may be rejected and new bids called for"
 Alderman Picxett-"We had figures from Civil Engineer Kelly and Engin- eers Heath and Hill and Harbor Com missioner Curtis F. Evarts."
 Alderman Dewell-"How about the difference in price? My question is not answered yet"
 Alderman Pickett-"There was con- siderable difference between the plans submitted by Former Engineer Hill and City Engineer Kelly The latter was supported by Engineer Keith. The bids for the contract are known to all, but will repeat them. MT Geary's bid was $S9, 46550; Clark & Co.,, $S6,754; Blakes- lee & Sons, 0,34S75. Blakeslee & Sons have a contract for the substructure of the railroad bridge near the one pro posed over Mill river. The closing up of the Mill river bridge will cause delay in the completion of the railroad bridge, for the reason that the distance of hauling will be increased and the cost would be $l,545 to the firm of c. w. Blakeslee & Sons. City Engineer Kelly gave me these figures. Thus you see the city would be placed in danger of lawsuit. "Furthermore, there is a change of plans. This change is made by the lowering of the grade between the bridges.
 Based upon this change, the esti- mated bid of c. w. Blakeslee & Sons is $92, ,49S.5 50; James J. Geary, s91, ,166.50; Clark & Co.,, s9o,575.
 ''Blakeslee & Sons damage would be $1, 545, and according to the new plans is $1,574.S9 more than Clark & Co.,, the difference between the two amounts being thus reduced to $29.S5. T mention these facts to aid you in behalf of the taxpayers"
 | In reference to MT. Geary's work on the Grand avenue bridge, Alderman Pickett said that threat had been made to stop the mason work if the inspectors were not removed. Alder man Pickett read a communication from the city engineer in which 1t was charged that there had not been a proper effort on the part of the con- tractor to complete the work. | Alderman Picket said: We all knew what the Blakeslees had done and it was a good rule to judge what a man will do by what he has done" He did not think there was a man, woman or child in the Eleventh ward that favor ed MT. Geary's having this contract. | Alderman Root--"We are not here to legislate in favor of MT. Geary, Clark & Go. or c. W. Blakeslee & Sons, but for the city. There has been some thing said about Clark & Co.'S inabili- l ty to perform the work, about doubt, etc, etc Now, it seems to me that if we are going to have the board of pub i lie works advertise for bids and we get 1 outside parties to bid, thinking they will have a fair show, and then throw out their bids in order to give the con- tract to another mana local bidder whose ability is undoubted and is known to be a good fellow, we will fall into disrepute with outside contractors.
 "If we are going to restrict bids to local contractors let us do it in man. ly, straightforward way as the board of education does Something has been said about a lawsuit. Now, I do not think that the Blakeslees wish to be known as threatening this city if they do not get this contract.
 'I wish to go on record as favoring the lowest bidder, and I find from the figures given by the alderman from the Tenth that Clark & Co. are the lowest bidders. I call for the question on my amendment"
 Alderman Dewell-"We have had many elegant speeches tonight in favor of this man and that contractor but not one word has been said in the interest of the city. I agree with the gentleman from the Sixth that the award should go to the lowest bidder It is not honorable that when bids are advertised contractor should be al- lowed to sneak in under the cover of being a local man"
 Alderman Chillingworth-"Th is another view of the question. We are assessed twenty-two mills and no man. ufacturer will come to this city as long as these things last. It is now pro- posed to build a bridge at S150,000 with damages of twenty or thirty thousand dollars more, which would bring the cost up to almost $2OO,O00. He said the grade was not established aHu then IIlONGu luG IldltCl ioy oI the table. The motion was lost.
 Alderman Dewell offered resolution recommitting the matter
 Alderman Root said that he would withdraw his motion to amend the re port if the Alderman Dewell would re fer the matter to the department O public works under the new charter This was accepted.
 The following was then offered:
 That the matter be committed to the department of public works with th' recommendation that the advisabilit! of getting new plans and new bids b' considered, as in the opinion of tn, court of common council the bids anC the plans reported by the railroad ant bridge committee are too high" Alderman Pickett amended as fol lows:
 Voted, That the matter of building the sub-structure of the Mill rive bridge be recommitted to the city en gineer to prepare new plans, whicl shall be submitted to the incoming di rector of public works, and that h. shall advertise for bids for the same according to the provisions of the neV charter"
 The board of public works was order ed to build the footbridge, as it is nec : essary to accommodate the Eleventl