The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-08-25
Attorney Markham of West
Hammond Explains
Famous Deal.
VILLAGE IS UNSANITARY
Urgent Need for Drainage Across
Line Causes Expedition by Off
cials in Closing Contract.

Samuel K Markham, the legal ad-
visor of the village council of West
Hammond, has forwarded lengthy
communication to the Lake County
Times in regard to the recent sewer
controversy in West Hammond. The
article points out that several erron-
eous statements have been made in
regard to the letting of the bids and
at the same time gives many interest
ing facts in regard to the matter
The article is a resume of the his
tory of the sewer question as it APP
peared in the Lake County Times of
August Is, together with the same
corrections and several amplifca-
tions. Briefly summarized it is as
follows, according to Attorney Mark
man:
On August 1, the board of local i'm
provements opened bids for the con-
struction of a sewer system. Among
the bids were those of James Healy,
s9S,73700; and Lavene Brothers,
s1o2.645.00. President Max (not
Mr.. Markman) opened the bids and
requested that they be read by Mr..
Markham to the people assembled.
Mr. Markham announced at the con
clusion of the reading that Lavene
had erased their bid on the nine inch
pipe because they intended to include
it in their bid on the catchbasins
After celebrating on the matter
the board awarded the contract to
Lavene Bros, even though their bid
was higher, on the ground that
Healy was not reliable. 1t is not
known whether the board has any
satisfactory proof of the alleged bad
character of Mr.. Healy's work. Mr..
Markham denies that he participated
in the proceedings or Influenced the
board in the slightest degree.
Mr.. Healy claimed that the Lavene
bid was irregular because no bid was
included on the 9-inch pipe and de-
manded for his reason that the board
reject Lavene's bid The records
which Mr. Markham claims he does
not keep will substantiate this fact.
The 15-inch laterals instead of
costing S4.3S will not cost more than
80 cents, Mr.. Markham says, and this
is one of the largest items of there
being over $4,000 feet to be laid.
The sewer case was on trial eight
days before Judge Roth in the circuit
court. The Judge in commenting on
the case said that after visiting West
Hammond it was his opinion that the
village was very much in need Of
the improvements, as sanitary con-
ditions in West Hammond were very
bad.
After this trial a jury was i'm
paneled to decide the question as to
whether the people would be bene-
fitted to the extent of the amount of
the assessment. After a three day
trial the jury decided that the prop
erty would be benefited as much as
assessed. An appeal has been taken
to the supreme court.
On Aug. 10, the taxpayers of West
Hammond asked that the board OF
public improvements be enjoined
from ever awarding the contract t
Lavene Bros, and also asked that &
mandatory injunction be issued com.
pelling the board 10 accept Mr.
Healy's bid. Mr.. Max Immediately
sent for the members of the loea
board and prepared afidavits deny
J ing the material allegations of til,
bill.
The judge decided that Lavene.
action in erasing the figure bid on tn,
. 9-ineh pipe nullihed the bid. Fur
thermore, Lavene Bros. or any on
representing them, failed to furnish
single affidavit rejecting on Healy'
responsibility as contractor. I'll