The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-06-20


South street should be paved.
Why were bids rejected?" asked Presi-
dent Davis.
That 1 can't say replied Mr.. Rock
idge-
Leonard Charges Collision.
IN tell you" cried Chairman Leonard.
il mping to his feet Mr. Recorder, viii
you please read that" and he tossed over
a copy Of the specifications with the fol-
lowing marked.
Reasonable grounds for supposing that
any bidder is interested in more than one
proposal viii cause a rejection of ali pro-
posals in which he is supposed to be in
terested."
rs that your reason?" asked Mr.. Davis
Of Mr. Leonard.
Yes. sir, I think there was collision
between the bidders" replied Mr.. Leon
ard. Il have not wanted to say so, but
L will say so since you force me to-
Mulvey at once took issue with Leonard.
How do YOU know there was cOllU-
SiOn2 he demanded.
Il don't know it," was the answer. but
L think it. It's a hard thing to prove
We'll, | don't think there was collu-
sion,' replied Mulvey. and my opinion is
just as good as yours
Mr.. Leonard finally admitted that collu-
sion was only one of the reasons why
he had voted TO reject the bids. He ac-
knowledged that the board had awarded
the contract for matchmaking Sixth
street at a price higher than the Ell
gineer's estimate.
No Conspiracy Against Moran.
Have you heard it rumored, - asked Mr.
Fernstrom. that one certain contractor
couldn't get this paving no matter what
his bid"
Yes. have heard that" said Mr. Leon.
ard.
Did that influence you?' went on
FernstTom.
No, sir, it did not was the reply.
MUlvey asked Fernstrom what he meant,
and Fernstrom replied that he had heard
1t said that it had been determined to
turn down Moran no matter what his bid
was.
Mulvey and Leonard then had a dis
pute as to whether the board had treated
the council with courtesy in not sending
IN notification of its action in rejecting
the bids. MUlvey leCtured Leonard Sc
verely, and Leonard, while disclaiming
discOUTtesy. said that hereafter the cOUn-
ell would be duly notified of any action
of the board
Mr.. Ferry asked the representatives of
the bidders if they would take the con-
tract from the council, provided the board
Of public works refused to sign it. At
tOrney d B Hampstead, representing the
Barber Asphalt company, said that con-
Germ would take no contract unless 1t
were signed by the board of public works
What about you, Mr.. Moran asked
Certainly I'll take the contract if the
board refuses to sign something that 1t
ought to sign" said Moran. I'D be ia
Several councilmen, including Moran's
own adheTents. declared that a contract
without the signature of the board of pub
lie works would be illegal.
FeTnStrOm made a sarcastic speech in
which be said that cOuncilmen, even
though they be second class common
grafters.' which he said Mr.. Dininny had
practically denOmiHated them, were as ca
pabe Of judging what was good for the
city as the high class members OF the
board Of public works who have to be
confirmed by the second rate counciimen.
IF there has been any collision in this
matter" declared Fernstrom, cit has been
collusion TO keep Moran out of this con-
tract
as a contractor. and declared that the city
had never had any trouble with his work,
which was more than could be said for
his rivals
Session Ends in oratory.
There were several other speeches. They
were pOintleSS. however, although Null
vey delivered another lecture to the board
Of public works for its discOUTtesy to
the council TUddenham QuarTeled with
Mr.. Dininny's Interpretation Of the law
defining the duties of the board Of public
works. Wells asked for a written Opin-
Mon, which was agreed to Mr. wells
said that. without meaning any dis
courtesy TO Mr.. Dininny.' he hoped that
Judge Hiles would write the opinion, a
sentiment that seemed to be shared gen
orally.
There was some discussion, in view of
Mr.. DiuinnyS opinion as to whether or
not the board ought not to be formally
authorized to continue the readvertise-
ment, but nothing was done. HOLIDAY de-
CIared he would go to Jail before he would
vote to pay an unauthorized expenditure
for advertising. and FeTnstrOm wanted to
direct the board TO cease advertising. No
action was taken, and an adjournment
was taken with the understanding that a
special meeting will be held tomorrow
night at which the written opinion of the
city attorney viii be rendered.
Ezra Going to Denver.
Mayor Thompson leaves tomorrow for
mayor in his absence. All that now stands
in the way Of MOranS getting the con-
tract is the attitude of the board of pub
lie works.
Chairman Leonard pointed out to the
council that the board will have no quo
rum in the city to do business after this
morning Of the five members, W. J.
Brooks is in Nevada and c d ROOkHdge
left last night for PittsbUrg. Pa.
If Mr.. Dininnys opinion Of the law is
correct and the board stands firm, Mo-
ran has lost the contracts. If, on the 9TH
er hand, Mr.. Dininny is wrong, the cOun-
ell can direct the board to enter into a
contract with Moran. and the latter can
mandamus the board to obey the cOun-
ellis order. Several lawyers hold that
Mr. Dininny is wrong and that the mat
ter of awarding the contract is one pure
" in the discretion of the council. that
the board has no power to else than reg
lister the councils will.
ri nIInS CROW