The Saint Paul globe., 1904-10-28
O'DRlEN ORDINANCE
LOSES IN COMMITTEE
Aldermen Turn Down Measure
Designed to Secure Lower s
Paving Bids

BY a vote of to 8 the aldernlanie
committee on streets yesterday decided
not to make favorable report on the
O'Brien ordinance making it obliga-
tory that the board of public works adj
vertise. for bids for paving in such
manner that offers could be received
on various kinds of material at the
same time.
Assemblynan O'Brien had previously
pleaded for the measure. and yesterday
Corporation Attorney Michael argued
that the proposed system would be no
more complicated than the one now in
vogue, and contended that the result
would be that the asphalt company,
without competition as to this material,
would be compelled to bid against the
prospective acceptance of brick, sand
stone or some other material. The vote
was Messrs. Bantz. Hebl and Moriarty
against the ordinance. and Messfs.
Lynch, Rohland and Corning in favor
Of its passage.
Mr.. Michael Explains
1.-THE measure is peculiarly worded
as to receiving bids for paving" ex-
planned Corporation Attorney Michael.
1T provides that where a patented ma
terial is designated in the final order
the board of public works shall also
advertise for bids on asphalt, brick,
sandstone and granite, and shall pave
with the material that is relatively the
cheaper. It has occurred to me that
the provision should apply to all pro-
posed paving contracts"
"But what is the use," urged Aid.
Bantz. ''there are no patented paving
materials"
>E'That is not the question concerned
in this ordinance" urged Mr.. Michael.
''This happens to be the only manner
in which bids for the different kinds
of material can be secured and con-
sidered as alternative propositions. The
use Of the term patented materiaP IS
but a subterfuge to bring the asphalt
people, for instance, into competition
with brick, sandstone and granite. 1t
would seem to be clear that if the only
| company that bids on asphalt paving is
aware that it must meet the figures OF
the brick and stone paving contractors
that their bids will be lower. If they
are not, and the property owners pre-
fer sandstone or brick, for instance,
they can insist that one of these ma
terials be adopted"
Patent Material Block
What is the use of advertising for
patented material when there IS none
in existenee?'' questioned Aid. Bantz.
Because it is the only means of ae-
complishing a given purpose" said Aid.
! Lynch. .''It is not a question of using
patented material, as Mr.. Michael has
told you, but this is the only manner
in which competition can be secured in
selecting paving MATERIAL
Assistant City Engineer Starkey, said
| that he knew of one or more kinds OF
patented paving material, but argued
that the proposed change would5result
! in an increase Of the work to he done
/ by the engineering department. From
| his knowledge of the paving business
he could not strongly advise the change,
1T is within the power of the board
of public works to advertise for bids in
| the manner specified in this ordi-
nance" said John S. erode, president
Of the board, "but this measure makes
it obligatory that we do so. 1t would
/ be possible to grant the contracts in
| the manner specified"
When the vote was announced Aid
Corning asked the three opposing mem
bers why they did not make their atti-
tude known.
II voted against it because of what
Mr.. Starkey said,'' answered Aid. Bantz
while the other two voting against the
measure did not explain.