Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-06-18
The Montana Hardware Co. Makes a
Proposition to the Council to Re-
consider Contract.
STONE RESERVOIR TO BE USED
The Council Decides to Advertise for
Bids for the Construction of a
Stone Reservoir.


council on Saturday, held for the pur-
pose Of putting the finishing touches
to the contract with the Montana
Hardware Co. for the steel reservoir,
it was decided to reconsider the con
tract and advertise for bids for a stone
reservoir.
Those present at the meeting were:
Mayor Cook, Aldermen Eldridge, Stod-
dard, Symmes, Wright, Laux; City At
torney Won Tobel and Clerk Chandler,
and the city engineer. G.. M. Stafford.
On the meeting being called to or
der, A. w. War;, on behalf of the
Montana Hardware Co., stated that
the company were willing to forego
any right to the contract for a steel
reservoir and were willing to supply
a stone reservoir Of a larger capacity
for less money and in a shorter time.
At the same time they were willing
to carry out their contract with the
city for a steel reservoir, II the coun-
ell so decided, or to put in a bid on
the stone reservoir il bids were ad-
vertised for. The dimensions of the
proposed stone reservoir would be 100
X 80 feet on top, ~ x 16 feet on the
bottom; an average size of sc x 90
feet, with a capacity of 17S,O20 gal.
Ions. 1t would be composed of stone
work laid in solid cement with a heavy
coating of the best quality cement OBJ.
tainable.
After considerable discussion, which
the advantages of a stone reservoir
were set forth, and the large amount
OF work such a structure would fur
nish for labor at home in comparison
with the putting in of the steel res
ervoir, the council seemed to be in
favor of the building of the stone
structure and to place the matter be-
fore the board, Alderman Symmes
made a motion that the letting of the
contract to the Montana Hardware
be re-considered and that the city en-.
gineer be instructed to draw up plans
according to specifications for a stone
reservoir with a capacity of 10000
gallons. The motion was seconded by
Stoddard.
The mayor rose and addressed the
council and expressed his disapproval
of the constant changing of plans; the
matter was thoroughly discussed and
the ACCESSIBILITY of building a stone
reservoir. owing to the labor being
done at home. was forceably brought
to the front. The city engineer was
consulted and he expressed himself
as in favor of a stone reservoir and
thought II better on the score of sani-
tation than the enclosed steel tank.
The council were unanimous in want.
ing the plans changed and Alderman
Symmes' motion vas adopted.
+. e. Wright made a motion that the
contract with the Montana Hardware
be cancelled and the secretary Of the
council be authorized to return the
certified check which had accompan
led the bid. A motion was made tina,
the advertisement for bids IN the ex
cavation be withdrawn and that the
clerk be instructed to advertise fol
bids for a stone reservoir according
to plans furnished by the city engi
neer, the bids to be opened on the 2Sti
Of June.
Alderman Laux suggested that tn,
city furnish the cement to be used II
the building Of the reservoir and ad
v~ertise for bids on furnishing OF tn
necessary amount of cement. TIL
reason for this, Mr.. Laux said. wa
In order for the city to be able to b.
certain as to how much cement wa
being used, as it was easy for the cor
tractor to use a much less quantit
than was necessary without some sys
TEN OF check was inaugurated. Thi
was thought to be a good idea by tn
council and the city engineer was II
! structed to mention in the specifics