The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-04-13
PUBLIC WORKS BOARD
DEFEATS ENGINEER
Council Deprives Kelsey of His
Authority.
HELD a WARM SESSION
PIPE SYNDICATE WAS OUT IN
FORCE.

The question Of ignoring the city en-
gineer in letting and supervising con-
tracts for public work was disposed OF
by the city council last evening after
a prolonged session. The new forms Of
contract and specifications were adopt
ed without appointment despite the fact
that Councilman Robertson made a
strenuous effo1t to sugarcoat the new
forms in a few G5IimpOrtsnt details by
associating the engineer In the inspec-
ton Of contract work and IN the
preparation Of specifications.
The session was distinguished by an
utter disregard for parliamentary
usages and the frequent indulgence in
bitter personalities.
Robertson spoke TO Buckle as the
-'ex-mayor, and the latter came back
with a reference to 1.-The councilman
who works in Mr. DOoly's bank Then
Robertson asked if there was no way
to keep that" quiet, meaning his tel-
low councilman.
Whittemore called City Attorney
Stephens Frank repeatedly when
asking nim questions.
Howe said Buckle had his gall 10
ask him a question. and Fernstrom
made use of the same term when re-
ferriug to the engineer.
Mayor Thompson and Deputy Mayor
EichnOr sat through the meeting, ana
when fl adjourned near the hour OF
midnight they carried home with them
a very troubled look.
Pipe Syndicate Won.
A strong plea was made by the con-
seTvative members of the council 10
follow the recommendation of City
Attorney Stephens. that the proposed
new forms be submitted to himself,
Engineer Kelsey and the board chair
man FOR further consideration, with the
assurance from the attorney that still
better forms would result for the pro-
lection Of the city's interests, but the
lobby of former contractors and pros
pective bidders was too strong and
well organized on the floor Of the coun-
ell to permit any change in the pro-
gramme. and when the end was
reached the pipe syndicate" that
wants to lay more water and sewer
pipe for the city went away in a
happy mood
Only Beatty. Canning. Cottrell.
Thomas and Buckle voted for the mo-
ton to refer, with Whittemore out in
the smoking room when this and other
votes were taken. Davis, Fernstrom.
G. r. Howe. Reid, Robertson and Tud-
denham opposed reference. The mo-
ton to adopt the suggested amend
ments Of associating the engineer in
half-dozen places IN the specifications
and once in the contract was lost by a
vote Of TO 6. the affirmative votes be-
ing announced by Beatty. CottreIl,
Robertson, Thomas and Tuddenham
on the adoption of the new forms
Buckles was the only vote in the neg
alive.
Engineers Protest.
A strong protest from Engineer KEEL
sey against the new forms was Fead,
showing many reasons why the changes
should not be made. It was pointed
out in the engineers dignified letter
that this official OF the city has abso-
luteiy no authority under the new
forms Of contract, "and this is exactly
what the contractors have been fighting
for in this city for years.
On the floor the engineer stated that
without any feeling of resentment he
would prefer TO see the plan go through
without amending, so chat he would be
relieved OF any responsibility what
ever, since that was intended he be-
Iieved.
City Attorney Stephens stated tina.
there corld be no doubt of the en-
gineer's prerOEative to furnish plans
and specifications of the materials to
be used in public work, and no changes
should be made in them without the
councils consent, as had been done
and then only for good cause shown
Even the attorney did not approve The
new forms. but his plea to let a revision
be made by rim in connection with the
engineer, TO guard the city's interests
more fully, was unavailng. He re-
GREETED that the engineer had not been
consulted
The members OF the board were asked
for an expression. but Chairman Dooly
said they had nothing to offer.
fight was made By Buckle 10 secure
conservative action. Frequent illusions
were made by him to the mysterious
Influences that seemed TO be at work
to make things come easy for the CON
tractors, and Davis. as chairman of the
waterwOrkS committee which passed
faVOrably upon the new drafts. was
requested by Buckle 10 explain the i'm
pOrtant changes made. He declined to
make the attempt. A1ckle challenged
any member OF the council TO point ont
the points Of difference.
city Attorney Stephens paid a high
tribute TO the ability and integrity of
the engineer. and later Beatty took oc-
casion TO say that when members Of
the council displayed such hatred of
the engineer. while confessing that he
is caoable. honest and faithful to his
official duty. they condemn only them
selves