The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-02-06
costs MORE
THAN ESTIMATE
Statement Showing Differ
erenee on Phyllis

Controversy having "AAS@n NN~A
+he cost of construction on the Phyi-
lis side hill, and some being of the
opinion that there has been erron-
cons estimates favorable to con-
tractors, the following is submitted
with view to throwing light on
the subject which may enable the
people to arrive at reasonably ac-
curate conclusions pending the i'm
vestigation which it is understood
will be made. .~..
There is on file in the Office of
the Irrigation District an estimate
i of the cost of construction of the
PHYLLIS from the head TO Five Mile,
made by Engineer Wiley, Dct. 2r,
1901. In the estimate he includes
permanent dam on the river to
cost $4,000 after deducting this, his
estimate puts the cost at $43, Ioo.
E From this should also be deducted
about $4,000, calculated by Mr..
Wiley for engineering, right of
way, ETC., thus leaving the estimate
on actual excavation, in round
numbers, $4,000. This estimate,
as stated by Mr.. Wiley in his letter
is based on straight price of IS
cents cubic yard for side hill
work, 8 and 10 cents yard for ex-
cavalion on the level.
At these figures, it would cost
about $4,000 to construct, the
Phyllis from the head to Five Mile.
Unfortunately the work could not
be contracted at the prices used bv
Mr. Wiley in his estimate, aud he
was aware of that when he made it,
4 1or he calls attention 10 the fact
that everything has advanced more
than 10 per cent and advises the
sale OF bonds in excess of his es,i-
mate. He also explains that this
Oct, 1901, estimate is based on
prices prevailing two years ago.
When actual contracts were let
the lowest bid on the work was
submitted by Faris & Kesl, and
was as follows: Earth 14.o cents a
yard; loose rock and hard pan "a. 3
cents yard; wet. excavation 37. {
cents yard. According to the
January estimate of Engineer He'd.
den, 139,4o5 cubic yards of earth.
42'723 cubic yards of loose rock
and hard pan, and e258 yards OF
wet material have been moved. AT
Inc maximum price upon which
Mr. Wiley's estimate is based il
would cost $28,7o7.e 90. But at the
price at which actually had to oe
paid the cost foots up as follows:
'4O5 cubic yards earth at IA $40. III a
'-''S' cunlc yards. classified as loose
rock at 81 g. - ego M
S'z0S cubic yards wet exca walton at 'OO -
'''oc oc'''............... .......... san II
$s8, ,sg7 O.
Thus it will be seen that actua
cost covering precisely the same
number of yards is IS per cen,
more than Mr.. Wiley's maximum
estimate, and it was upon Mr.
WlIey's estimate that the Board o
directors based their calculations
This gives basis for calculation
0n the whole work from the heae
VI the Phyllis to Five Mile. Mr.
"lIey's estimate makes the cos
P50'ooo' to which it would seem tc
De necessary to add IS per cent
amounting to $4,000, to arrive a
ae'ual cost. Adding the $14, 3oc
10 10 the $4,000, we get $s2, 900, a!
,ne cost OF excavation on the Phyl
lis from its head to Five Mile.
mr. Wiley made all the origina
eSomates for the District, and if i
suail prove that his figures are :,
pI' cent too low, throughout, it will
>"Ae some $42,S75 more to compiet,