New-York tribune., 1906-06-09
BRIDGE BIDS In TANGLE
Commissioner Calls Securities Back
of LoaceSt Bidder WorthLess.

Bridge Commissioner Stevenson at the meeting
~ The Board OF Estimate and Apportionment stated
Yesterday that the securities offered by the lowest
6i5aer for the Manhattan Bridge were worthless
The Commissioner. in his memorandum. said:
foT S@ coastructon Of the Manhatfan @ 's Brdse
which should be passed upon by the board before
having The construction Of this bridge undertaken
waive its rule concerning matters not the
calendar and consider at once the, following facts
aIIr,ed ~ on May and were as follows: Ryan-Parker
ConstrucJion Company. St, ,4s3 22S John Perce Com
lSsSS. Milliken Brothers s7565,lsl.
The Commissioner submitted two afhdavits show
,rr that the f1iant had investigated the two Sc
ru-.ties OF the Ryan-Parker company, and found
them worthless. Mayor Mcclellan asked Patrick
RYAN. of the Ryan-Parker company, what he had to
sav and in reply he asked have read a letter
nj ms counsel. John c. Wait In the communica-
ton Wait says:
The award 10 any other bidder than TO Ryan
Parker particularly 10 one certain bidder, Will
bsr out the public declaration generally that this
1T5rk was out for particular concern. with
Sse 9ue mandate Of the charter Of the city OF New
York that public works should be advertised and
awarded 70 the lowest bdder-that public funds
should be conserved. and not wasted-will be vio-
make exorbtant bids for public works and encour-
are public officials and their assistants TO prepare
particular contractors
Thomas F. Conway, representing the John Pierce
company. said that his company well equipped
10 carry the contract with the city. while the
Fyan-far company was not. He submitted the
afhdav.; of NJ. Alvin Myers of No. ll33 Broadway,
= he employ OF the Manhattan Detective Agency.
which was read 10 the board. in which the afiia1t
states that he went 10 the places of residence of
lie TWO sureties-Edwa-d p. Wehrum Of No. 1888
PARK avenue. and George W. Anderson. Of No. S72
IsSth street-ano found that they were not imam
ciany equal their bonds of Sl500.0e1 each; that
nc could not locate them at their honles ana was
informed that they had gone 10 Maine
In answer 10 a question OF the Borough President
OF Brooklyn Mr. Ryan said that his company had
never deiaulted on contract.
To Offset this statement, Mr. Conway said that
the Ryan company was al present suing the city or
III Manhattan Bridge. Mr. Ryan did not deny the
fact Bird 5. Coler asked that the subject so over
for u week
Al the suggestion OF the Mayor. the subject was
finally referred 10 a special committee, consisting
OF the Controller. the President OF the Board Of
Aldermen. and the Borough Presidents OF Manhat-
tar and Brooklyn. who will hold hearing on II
next Monday afternoon.
Borough President Coler's scheme for a rapid
transit route from The Bronx TO Coney Island by
way Of the projected Manhattan Bridge was re-
ferred without discussion 10 committee of Bor-
ouEh Presidents. The Board approved the plans
tension OF what is known the Southern Boule-
ward and Westchester avenue route from West
chester village 10 Pelham Bay Park
Secretary Haag reported the death Of the assist
ant secretary, John II. Mooney, and the board
adopted a resolution Of regret and requesting
tie municipal Civil Service Commission place
the vacant Office III the exempt class.