New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-16
ASKS FOR MORE TINE.

Henry L. sprague, representing the Metropo-
lis Construction Company, asked for more time
to make a bid. He named as mem bers of the
company. which was duly incorporated, DR.. W.
Seward Webb, Edward Lauterbach, Charles
Miller, George s. Scott and several others. He
said they had picked the best construction com
panies in the United States TO do the work
among whom were the people who did the trac-
ton work in Philadelphia from all of whom
they had bids and who were ready to go on
with the construction. He wanted to furnish
individual bondsmen. and requested that he be
given three days in which to bring his bondsmen
TO the city and have them qualify
We have discovered" said Mr. sprague "in
our attempts to secure bondsmen, that there is
combination Of surety companies effected and
this has frozen US out, that we now find our
selves at the eleventh hour obliged to seek in
dividual bondsmen."
The fact that the Plat surety company and
the freedman surety company appear on both
Mr. Onderdonks and Mr.. McDonald's lists of
securities, coupled with this charge Of COLLISION
caused some comment among the onlookers.
The Board then went into executive session 70
consider these protests and requests It was
decided that ample time had been given for all
to bid who wanted to- Mr. Amory's letter was
not taken seriously. and the Board then resumed
its regular session and opened the two bids
presented
president Orr then appointed Commissioners
Jesup and Rives and Controller Coler a commit
tee to examine the bids and securities The com
mittee met in the Controllers Office at 3 O'Clock
Mr. Orr presided. They decided that all four
sections Of the contract should be let to one
bidder. TO be begun simultaneously, but they
did not decide upon which Of the two bidders
should get the contract. The securities offered
nv ba
the only question appears to be whether it is
better 10 award the contract TO the one making
the lowest lump sum bid, or the one whose lump
sum was the higher but contained percentage
provisions. Controller Coler says the contract
will be awarded to-day.
The speciica tons call for depositing with the
Controller S1,O00,O0O either in cash or accepta-
BILE securities. The securities must be deposited
within ten days from the time OF the awarding
Of the contract and the city shall collect all in
terest on the securities deposited in case the
security shall not be cash, in which case the
city shall have absolute control OF the money.
In case of default in the contract the Controller
may sell at public auction any all of the
securities offered, or deduct sufficient amount
from the cash deposited to cover the amount OF
the default. II the event OF the proper con-
struction Of the road and when ii shall be in
good operation, the amount OF the deposit shall
be returned TO the contractor. provision Is
made for the substitution Of bondsman in the
event of one Of the original bondsmen becoming
unable to qualify. If the contractor shall prove
incapa bic or inefficient. the Commission may ad-
vertise for a bid for the remainder OF the work
and declare the old contract null and void
In case the contractor shall after the COM
pletion OF the road. and after II is IN running
order. fail to run it properly, the city may on
a ten DAYS notice and without further pro-
ceedings, take possession and control the road
for the full term OF the lease.
TO BEAUTIFY EXPOSED PARTS.
Provision Is made in the contract for the ele-
gance and beauty OF all parts Of the construc-
zion exposed 20 public view. The rolling stock
and the construction work shall not be liable
10 taxation All work shall be subject to the
suner&ision OF the engineer Of the Commission:
rhe nrovtson for the equipment OF the ROAD