The San Francisco call., 1898-08-10
J0BBERY IN BROKEN ROCK
SHADY WORK OF THE STREET
 COMMITTEE.
Ignore the Lowest Bid of Con- tractor in the Interest of a Quarry Operated by
 the Ringsters.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


 SAN JOSE. Aug. 9.-The people of San Jose are disappointed in the present City Council. When 1t was elected ''buStnesS administration was promised the num- cipality. This the people are not getting, and the Councilmen are rapidly falling into the ways of their predecessors. It Is evident that Boss" Req dictates his wishes to them and that his word is law This Is plainly shown by the action Of the Street Committee-Spring (chairman), Rogers and Macauley-during the past two weeks. When it lay within their power to save the city some money ln the purchase of broken rock for street pur- poses they postponed the matter Tor two weeks and then threw the bids out alto- gether. This action was taken because George W. Peckham, who is opposed to Rea's political methods, was the lowest bidder Heretofore Charles Wehner, who represents the Gay quarry, Tn Whlch Rea and other ringsters are interested, mas had things all his own way ana prohSn Il rock has been bought from him at ms own price. a-.or.,sa. for ''S6o yards of broken rock to to es Straet aet nTfgd tauie @ The rock was for the improvement of West San Fernando 9 street Two bids Yere Pecsbam reeelfed oered af to Charles Wehner s1 6s. This was, a sur prise to the gang, for they had never ;tl, thought of any one having the audaclty to bid against Wehner. Finally, when the ne effect of the shock had worn otT, the plds were referred to the Street SonInlttee' This was two weeks ago yesterday. Chalr11 man Spring was absent from the next meeting and yesterday he presented the following report: oe,
 ''Your Street Committee, to whom was referred for consideration the blds Tor rock to repair San Fernando street, peg leave to report that we reject all ploS, at less cost, and that more definite spec ifications should accompany the same
 In this the fine work of Req can be dls- cerned He Is heavily interested in the Gay quarry. where Wehner secures rock, and he is determined that he alone shall en)oy the benefits of street contracts. besiaets, Peckham was an active member or the New Charter Club, and here was chance to punish political opponent; ., h,as
 The reasons given for rejecting d the Dlos identical notice was published, calling for 800 yards of broken rock and the present Council awarded the contract to Charles cents per yard higher than Peckham' bid The specifications of the advertise ment were definite enough then for Chair man Spring and his coieagues E. ana aIe n1m the city 41z cents a yard on some rock, the people are wondering why the bids were
 For years the city has paid more for it's broken rock for street purposes than 1t should. The bids of Wehner and Peckham. presented two weeks ago, will demonstrate this. Wehner's bld was s1 68 per yard. His rock is obtained within a mile or two of the city and only has to be hauled this distance. Peck ham was going to bring his rock from Watsonville. Besides the heavy freight on the railroad he would have to de liver 1t from the depot wherever needed After meeting this heavy expense he was going to lay 1t down in the city at $1 6312 Der yard The Watsonville rock is of a good quality and is used exten- sively by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. It is strong in cement prop critics and makes an excellent roadbed Many claim 1t excels the San Jose rock. AS the local rock has twice been laid on San Fernando street It would, in the opinion of the taxpayers, be a good idea to see If the Watsonville rock would not stand the wear better.