The herald., 1898-12-30
TUNNEL CONTRACTS AWARDED
Attorney Mcfarland Makes Plea for
the Brick Men

When the report of the board of public
works recommended the award of contracts
for building the Third street and Broadway
tunnels came up lively little scene cnsued
in which Councilman Mathuss came of
with flying colors, carrying his point despite
all opposition. The board recommended
that for the Third street tunnel the bid Of
c. L. Powell at $SS,449 be accepted and for
the Broadway tunnel that Edwards g. Rey-
erie get the job for 100000.
Before vote could be taken upon the
adoption of the report Attorney Charles
Mcfarland secured the floor and proceeded
to tell the council why the contracts should
not be awarded as recommended. He ap-
peared, he said, not in the interest of or
against any one person, bu, for the brick
men, who had been ignored in The award
ing of contracts. Then he proceeded to tell
why the walls of the propose tunnels
should be made of brick instead of concrete,
as proposed. First, he said brick is much
cheaper and better than concrete and II
the tunnels were lined with it work could
be completed from eigh. TO nine months
earlier than otherwise.
Then again, some day there might be
fire in the tunnel, and brick stands the fire
much better than concrete. Earthquakes
also sometimes happen, and crack in a
brick wall is so much easier and more
strongly mended than in the other kind
He did not wish to pose as an aiarm,st, but
fire and earthquakes sometimes happened.
Further than this, he understood that Col
ton cement was to be used in "A. work,
which involved the possibili. IS Of poor
Job He had talked with Mayor elect Ea-
ton, not as mayor, but as eng neer, and he
had told him he preferred brick to con-
crete; so had City Engineer Dockweler and
also Engineer-elect Olmsted, who thought
it would make much better job than con-
crete, especially as Cotton cement was to
be used.
81 don't blame the council for wanting to
push this matter through. ror the council
man from the Third ward from seeking to
have the. contract awarded before he goes
out of office, but / do not think enough
consideration has
Here he was interrupted by Councilman
Mathuss,. who excitedly replied: You bet,
I'm going to see this thing through, and III
do it, too, if the boys wilstay with me-.
A chorus responded: You re- all right,
Uncle Zach, and we are with you," at which
Mr.. Mathuss sat down, relieved, only to
return to the charge a few moments later,
when he explained that the Third street
tunnel had been one of his pet schemes ever
since he had been in office and he would like
to see it go through before he retired. He
did not know which was the best material
for the tunnel, brick or concrete, but took
the engineers decision and thought that was
right-at any rate the council would have
to stand or fall by it. When the earthquake
of Mr.. Mcfarland came all present would
be safely under the sod out of harms way.
Councilman Nickel spoke, advocating i'm.
mediate action, but was opposed by Mr..
Toll, who wanted the matter deferred until
Saturdays meeting. This riled Uncle Zach
again, and with some heat he called for the
question, saying that he never thought that
Charlie Toll would go back on him when he
was in the right, and this time he knew he
was right This raised a laugh, and the
contracts were unanimously awarded, not
negative vote being heard.