Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1908-12-18
SPECIAL MEETING
LATE YESTERDAY
Public Sentiment Favored system
Now Adopted. Lump Sum and
Percentage VIII Both be
Advertised fOr-.N0 Check
From Kansas City Firm.

The city council at a special meet
ing called by the mayor last night
adopted a resolution resembling Its
agreement to give the American Light
and Water company, of Kansas City,
a contract to build the sewer system
and placed itself on record to throw
the proposition open to any and all
responsible bidders, If the people vote
for the bond issue of $29O,0OO, the
amount estimated by the expert engl-
neer employed by the city.
According to the resolution adopt
ed py the council, it VIII call for bids
in lump sum and on percentage
basis and will let the contract to the
lowest bidder.
1t was decided by the city attorney
that no binding agreement had peen
been made between the council and
the American Light and Power COM
pany. but as the company failed to
comply with one important stlpula-
ton, the depositing with the cIty of a
certified check for $4,000 within ten
days, it lost all claim and standing
had the agreement been binding.
1t is not known whether the Amer
lean Light and Water company VIII
enter a bid under the new arrange
ment or not Rogers and Company
of Los Angeles, it is expected, will en-
ter a bid, as Mr.. Rogers asked for
that privilege several days ago.
However, the council will advertise
for bids and the proposition will be
open to anyone.
This action by the council was In
response to public opinion, which IA
vored a system of bidding, such as
has now been adopted. 1t is believed
that by resembling the former action
and leaving the proposition wide open
to all, the council has done the very
best thing for the interests OF the
city and to assure the passage of the
bond issue.
The resolution, resembling the pre-
vious action of the council was pre-
scented by Alderman John Beaven and
seconded by Alderman Neustadt
These aldermen together with Alder
man Auge explained thier previou!
votes by stating that they though
the opinion of the city attorney, gave
them no alternative because they a
first held that the previous agree
ment was likely binding.
All members of the council, includ'
ing Mayor Lester, expressed thelI
earnest desire to comply with th'
wishes of the people and stated tina
they would favor anything which th'
people favored in the building OF
sewer system.
The resolution as adopted, reads:
Whereas the American Light ant
Water company has failed to deposi
its certified check for $4,000 Will
the city clerk of this city within fiv
days from the passage of the resolu
ton by this council accepting II
proposition to construct the sewer
for this city; and,
Whereas, upon the advice or IN
city attorney there is now no ques
tionN in regard to the right of tn
council to resclnd said resolution
and
whereas. the council is desirous
having the said work done for IN
least possible price by any responsi
BILE company.
Wherefore, be it resolved, That tn
resolution heretofore passed by tn
council accepting the proposition
the said American Light and waite
company for the construction OF IN
said sewer be and the same is hereb
rescinded to the end that II sai
bonds are authorized by the qualihe
voters of the city, the construcuo
of the sewer may oe done by the low
est responsible bidder after advel
tislng for bids for the same whlc
advertisement shall call for bids II
the construction of the sewer for
lump sum and also on the percentae
basis, with a guaranty OF maximum
cost, and that the bid most advar
tageous to the city shall be accepte
by the council.
Hanley Asks for Commission.
Alderman Hanley, after the adol
ton of the resolution proposed thi
the council create a special citizen
commission, to supervise and Off
suggestions, while the sewer was b.
ing built. Mr.. Hanley suggested thu
the commission be composed of e.
Mayor Frank Mckee, p. F. McCann
A. B. McMillen. on J. Rankin ar
Ambroslo Candelario. Alderman Ha'
ley offered his resolution to the e
feet that an ordinance be draw
whereby the commission would
given authority to act In conJunctio
with the council. He made stror