New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-06
CANAL COMMISSIONS WORK.
LOWEST BID ON A CONTRACT THROWN
OUT AS UNBALANCED"

( TESTIMONY OF SUPERINTENDENT ALDRlDGE AND
THE STATE ENGINEER.
Albany. July 5-The Canal Commission met here
to-day for the purpose OF hearing the evidence OF
George W Adrdge the Superintendent Of Public
Works, and State Engineer Adams regarding the
testimony given by assistant engineers and con-
tractors concerning the execution of contracts
under the 5000 900 Improvement scheme.
Mr. Adrdge asked in view OF his extension
OF canal whether such extension OF the
contracts would not involve the State In additional
expense for engineering. He replied that II would.
but insufficient time had been given for the ex-
ecution of the contracts and therefore the extern
sions necessary.
Would the extension OF the contracts involve
the State In any suits for damaces?" inquired Mr.
Blackmar. counsel OF the Canal Commission, III
the State approprIatcs money to complete
these contracts?"
p II think not" replied Mr.. Aldridge: FOR I be-
lieve that thu State is amply protected against
such suits"
Would not the extension keep the contracts
alive"
II do not think So
Would not life be given to contracts which
ha; virtually EXPIRED"
Il think not"
Then Mr. Backmar turned to the consideration
OF another subject that OF the abrogation OF con-
tracts and the power 81 tho Superintendent Of Pub
lie Works TO abrogate contracts. He said to Mr..
Aldridge: Have you ever abrogated any contract
because Of the quantities. overunnng?'
mo. sir" answered Mr.. Aldridse previous
testimony has shown that contract was abrogated
on the western division OF the Erie Canal because
OF It's not being executed"
The Canal Commission then looked into the matter
OF the appointment OF inspectors. and learned that
j. Nelson Tuhbs n very competent engineer APP
pointed personally the sub-general inspectors Mr.
Blackrnar asked Mr.. Adrdge II there had ever
o"rh any differences OF opinion between himself
and tho engineering department regarding the spec-
hcaiions FOR contracts
Tho difference" responded Mr. Aldrdge was
IN regard to accidental omission from the contracts
o. mention OF kinds Of cement l. therefore had the
different kinds Of cement used mentioned in the ad
vertisemen's soliciting bids for the contracts"
Who said what especial work should be done
under cana! contract"
The State Engineer"
but you required tho work to be done on the
towpath7"
Yes. sr: for that considered essential 10 the
completion Of the contract"
n Foster Higgins questioned Mr.. Aldridge about
the Inspection OF the work done by the contractors
Was there a double system Of Inspection" ne
asked. one by your department and one by the
State Engineers"
There is thorough inspection by the depart
meni." answered Mr. Adridge declining 10 saw
anything about the state Engineers Department
y" added. Ana tn" Depart ment Of Public Works
Mr., Higgins remembered the uso OF cnier. In
stead ~ grav"l provided hy the contract on the
for aI,pfa,cc an the 'oY, r'i III ZIP" Wau
to Mr. AaSre cnos .odd e 81 hsTeSTe ysa
nsG bo a. nqf for %a had not your inspector
Yes. he should have reported The fact 70 me"
:, ~ he ana not" said Mr. Higgins and said
-, TITS name was Wams" ,aii Mr. Blackmar, IN
man then made some inquiries about Contract No
p u tho osweso canal and pointed ont that cham
Der. q Casey. n Rochester. were the loves, bid
DER but did NO get the contnct
~" hd - 'h!mhers & Casey" said Mr. Black
ha" aes T s .' G- ~G' Z, "a Of Edwin Loder
bor. ~ ad yen n2 2 w. 'he contract TO Cham
49,. aus ans~efed Mr. Aidriige; he put in an
unhal'n'@i 49, and was - advised by State En-
rock eScayaon The Htorney.Gcncra adv advlse @
r. That IN 90" ~ an unbalanced bid could give
d., 'sk~ svsnase of this T act " Instead read
,!.ed n, =, contract and II was awarded to Edwin
s J. ~, *. ~ But j., woud have paid Chambers
Mr. Aldrldge submitted the following letter from
stat" Engineer Adams.
Albany August II. 1897
a. return ~" engineer estimate for Contract No.
- middle division WIN the mi OF Chambers 3
have investigated the natural condtion Of the
amount liable 20 be eNcsvated this work and
g." lowest contractors They offer TO DO ernbank-
mont AZ cents per yard. rock excavation ATS
unhalanc eel. m" first much too low. the second
much too high. believe the hid unbalanced
ono. ana ndNis" - rej-cflon.
CAMPBELL W ADAMS. State ngineer
Mr. Aldriige further stated that he did not award
Contract No. = 10 Chambers Casey the east
etn division The reason he dld not was because Of
tho exhaustion % the SY.r10D appropriation. They
were the lowest bidders. AT Sl96.+s4
State Engineer Adams The next witness He
said his attention WAS called 20 Contract No &C.
which Chambers & Casey had made the lowest
BID. 10y Superintendent Aldrldge. He aware
that Mr.. Adrdge and Casey not politically
friends. He told Mr.. Casey that he ought be
friendly with Mr. Aldridge
"Dh Mr. Aldridgs say Chambers a Casey were
undcs rah!e confractors|'
no. sir. but simply that they had made an I'M
balanced hid"
Mr. Adams then added Mr. Casey to mo
and was apparently hunting around 20 learn the
reason he did not gct Contract No %. Of the mid
do division. told him that u was unbalanced |
lid I deny cmphaticaiy that | told him /
tina; he had lost e because ~ politics"
Tn- Canal Commission Will continue its work to- !
morrow.