The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-28
Estimates of Street Surface to BE
swept 100000 Square Feet in Ex-
cess of Actual Amount.
AN ECHO FROM LAST YEAR
CHARLES III. STUCkMEYER, FORMER
CONTRACTOR, SURPRISED.
An investigation to BE Made by the
Board of Works-MariOn County
Heating Company.

In completing the estimates of the num-
Der of square feet of street surface that
is to be swept this year Samuel P. Stod-
dard, chief of the city assessment bureau,
made the discovery that last years esti-
mate OF street surface to be swept was SO0,-
900 square feet in excess of the actual
amount of street surface in existence. The
startling discovery made because it
was found necessary this year for the as
sessment bureau and the city engineer S
clerks to make estimates of the total
amount of square feet instead of depending,
as was done in former years. upon old esti-
mates
This year the Board of Works arranged
the streets to be swept in different man
ner. In comparing the results of his esti-
mates with the old figures Mr. Stoddard
made the surprising discovery that while
this year there will be more than four
miles of new streets swept, yet the total
amount of square feet covered will be
something like 100000 square feet less than
was covered last year by the street-sweep-
ing contractor according to last years esti-
mates.
MAY HAVE BEEN OVERPAID.
Mr.. Stoddard kept his discovery to him
self until he had informed a member of the
Board of Works. Then the question arose
as to whether Charles II. Stuckmeyer, who
had the street-sweeping contract last year,
was not paid for sweeping SO0 900 square feet
of streets that are not in existence. If pay
ment has been made on the basis of last
years estimate of the square feet of sur
face the statement is made that he has
been overpaid heavily. Last years sweep
ing contract was awarded to Mr.. Stuck
meyer at a rate of 1874 cents per 10000
square feet for each sweeping. If on a gener-
al average all the streets were swept three
times weekly the sum which may have been
paid to Mr.. Stuckmeyer would approach
81 200 The member of the board to whom
Mr. Stoddard went with his information in
regard 10 the discrepancy in the estimates
bound the chief of the assessment bureau
to silence until an investigation had been
made. 1t is stated that the Board of Works
will endeavor to get at the facts i'm the mat
ter and ascertain how a mistake of such
large proportions was allowed TO creep into
estimates of such Importance.
Mr. StOddard said last night that he did
not care TO discuss the matter until he had
received the permission of the Board or
Works He said. however, that the figures
show that mistake of 100000 feet had been
made by some one in the old administra-
ton. and that while much more territory
will be swept this year, yet the figures show
that there are half a million less square
feet of surface When he was asked il
Contractor Stuckmeyer received pay for
the S0O. 600 square feet which not i'm ex-
istence Mr.. StOddard said he did not care
10 answer that question definitely. Ii was
possible, he said, that the contractor had
been paid on the basis OF the old estimates.
STUCKMEYER SURPRISED.
Charles II. Stuckmeyer. who had the 1901
contract said last that he had never
heard of any mistake in the estimates. and
could hardly believe that any exists. He
was confident, he said. that he had never
received any money for work that was not
done. and was inclined TO think, he said,
that he had really done more sweeping
than the nature Of his contract with the
city called for He would be glad ne said,
IL the matter should be investigated.
Mayor Bookwalter declared that IL the
old estimates were found TO be wrong ne
would not be greatly surprised for the
reason he said. that he had long since
ceased TO be surprised at the acts or the
results of the acts OF the old administra-
ton He was unable 10 see, he said. how
such a big mistake could have been made.
AS to Mr.. Stuckmeyer receiving pay for