Semi-weekly herald., 1907-12-23
THE PIPE DEAL LOOKS LIKE a
LEAD PIPE CiNcH."
tCOmnIunicatod.I

A heavy taxpayer, who pays more
bined. complimented the Herald this
morning for the prominence given the
communication of the Malone Iron
Works and its fairness in commenting
on the same.
From this party II was learned tha,
il is almost impossible for our local
dealers to get chance OF bid on SUI
plies for the city, and when they do.
it is usually snap Judgment" AFFAIR
like this last deal when only two
days notice was given local dea ers.
whereas il is evident that outside paT-
ties had plenty of notice. Also certain
Officials are so interested" in Hen
drie & Bolthoff securing all of the
city's business that only valves and
other supplies that they have exclu.
sive agency for will be considered. ''
How long would a government official
hold his job that undertook to force
all OF the business through n certain
jobbing house? In all government pur-
chases, certain brand, or equal, is
specified and open competiti) IN pre-
walls, but this Denver joobing house
has had graft in Durango business
so long that it is not going 10 Civ
II up, II small matters like getting
their goods specified, and having bids
accepted whether lowest or not. and
having same accepted by wire. when
the pipe will not be used sor six
months or more. can be railroaded
through council meetings, and business
firms that have complied with every
requirement for bids. are disposed Of
as likely 10 be in a receivers hands.
IN their opinion.
The council. not having any bid Or
other communication from lfendrie g.
Bolthon 10 prevent. forgot about tn
receiver business" a few moments
later when It granted the Malone
hon Works company until next MAY
to accept the option on the old pump.
ing station. A special meeting would
now be in order to reverse itself on
that proposition, or else apologize TO
Mr.. Malone for the gratuitous insult
From all that can be learned, this
pipe deal is a useless expenditure
at this time anyway. A few OF the
heavy taxpayers have expressed a de-.
sire for The Herald to inquire INTO the
necessity for buying pipe now. on a
declining market. for use next sum.
mer, and also what revenue is the city
going TO derive from this very exten.
sion 1t is being ordered for. Several
have stated that It is an unwarrantei
expenditure Of thousands of dollars OF
the city's funds to accommodate a few
located In Isolated places, the total
value Of the improved property along
the line being less than the pipe will
cost, that will use water for several
years anyway. If this is not the case.
1t Is in order for the committee 20
explain this to the satisfaction OF the
people.
This same pipe deal was up be
fore the council last spring. and at
that time one OF the Committee in
executive session" expressed himself
In favor of throwing out cer:ain bids,
and allowing others not in accordance
with the specifications. because he hal
1T in for CERTAIN local dealer. He
had his way about it. too. but for SOM, |
reason his friend" didn't make lool |
so 1t had to he let over. and. this |
taxpayer openly charges. this is a fair
sample of not only the way public
business for the city is handled. hat
Also IA In line with the way our Su.i.