The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-30
CARBONDALE.
A CoUNCILMANIc DEADLOCK.
Squabble Over Surface Water Sewers.
The Bluff About Labor.

There is a deadlock IN the Carbon
dale councils over the letting Of a con-
tract for the proposed surface water
sewer and as some influences of sup
preston have prevented publication
OF the facts, they are given below for
the benefit of the tax payers.
On August 10th bids We're opened
from Blair & Kennedy, s13.GSlS0 and
Flanagan * Co., Of Scranton. Sl1,
1875. There was a lower bid from
Giles & Loveland, but as it was not
according to specifications it was not
considered.
As either OF the valid bids was in eX-
cess of the appropriation the commit
tee reported to reject all bids and
re-advertise Report was rejected.
Then Selectman Battle offered a
resolution to award the cOntracl to
Blair & Kennedy-who We're s., ,40Sj5
higher than the other bidiocs-for as
much of the work as could be done
for the amount of appropriation. The
vote on this was as follows: For
Battle, Nealon and Mannion in select;
Wedeman, Kennedy and Williams in
common. Against-Swigert, Eaton,
Thompson In select: Van Norder,
Campbell, Swingle in common. The
motion was lost. But right here, tax
payer-if you are interested in how
your money is being spent-we want
you to consider the matter Of that
resolution and scrutlniZe closely the
names of the men VINO voted on it. The
scheme was TO subsequently transfer
from other appropriations enough
money to finish the work and here was
a deliberate effort t. take $2,40S,55 out
such official conduct with honesty and
business judgment?
The city clerk was instructed to adj
vertise for bids according to modified
plans which cut out the brick sewers
and brought the cost down 10 $1,000
or $4,000.
SECOND ACT.
On September 81 bids on the modi-
fed plans were read as follows:
Giles & Loveland ...... &C. G06.75
Flanagan & Co........... 6,6741O
Blair & l<ennedy....,.. 6,S02.25
Nolan & Collins. 7,Si2.90
p. Z. McDonougn. ....... s 649.45
The committees majority report was
accompanied by resolution awarding
the work TO Giles & Loveland and in
structing the solicitor to prepare o.
COili dCl lc ltpClb NdS SlSiGu ny ~
F. Swigert. James Thompson, V. A.
Swingle and Leonard Campbell. A
minority report was in favor Of Nolan
&: Collins who are S6,26615 higher. 1t
was signed by Thomas Battle and j.
II. Wedeman Both reports were de-
feated by a tie in select council. 1t
requires a majority of each branch to
carry. The ballots were: For major
ity report-Faton. SwiGert, Thompson,
of select, and Shepherd, of common.
ADMINISTRATION, Battle, Manuion, of
select and A, F. Thompson, Van Yor-
der, J. j. Nealon, Wedeman, Kennedy,
Walsh. Smith, Swingle and Campbell,
OF common.
For minority report-Thomas Battle,
y. NJ Nealon, j, J. Mannion, OF select,
and ]. H. Wedeman, A. j. Kennedy
and j. B. Walsh. of common. Against
minority report-Swigert, ThomDs IN
and Eaton. of select, and Fred Thomp-
son, Shepherd, Van Yorder, Swingle.
Smith and Campbell, Of common
Again note the names Of those who
saved you 1--WE are talking 10 the tax
payers) Sl,26c.15.
Several commOners who voted
against Giles & Lovelard did so for
personal Teasons-becausp of having
been blamed for the rejection Of their
bid on August 16-and should not be
considered as opposed 20 the lowest
bidder principle. II was for this very
reason that =, Horner Smith on Sep
tember 25th made an amendment 10 let
contracts to Flanagan q CO., who are
next TO the lowest bidders. This
amendment was lost.
Right here ii should he said that
any man who is not man enough TO
brush away personalities and follow
the course prescribed by the law and
demanded by his ccpstitutents' inter-
ests, should not hold the office os
councilman. If he Cannot overcome
his prejudices he ought to resign.
THIRD ACT.
Last Monday all recommendations
of the joint committee having been re-
iected, James Thompson introduced a
resolution to give contract to Giles I&