Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1908-12-16
Mayor Lester Discusses Coun.
CHS Action and Says Many
Do Not Understand
Terms Offered.
WHAT PEOPLE WANT
is WHAT He WANTS
Says Council Is Only Trying to
Get Most For Money In Shortest
Time and Has No Other OBJ
jeCt Than to Guard City's
Interests In Matter,

81 am afraid that the opposition
to the present plans for giving AL
bnquerque an adequate sewer system
which l understand Is developing in
some quarters Is based upon q lack
OF information as to what those
plans are and the proposition now be-
fore the city from the American
Light and Water company Of Kan
sas City," said Felix Lester, mayor,
today.
81 desire at this time to re-iterate
my statement that L have absolutely
no reason for desiring to give the
contract to the Kansas City COM
pany, other than to safe guard the
city by getting the most for the
money in the shortest space of time.
I am sure that this motive alone, in
fluenced the council.
81 have gone over the proposition
made by the American Light and
Water company very carefully and 1
can not find . single word wherein
the city hazards anything, wherein
1t appears to me that we have every
thing in our favor, with the contract
ing company assuming the risk in
each and every instance.
II am afraid that many OF the
peonle have not read this proposi-
tion carefully and hence are not en-
tirely clear as to what 1t has to Of
fer in the way of economy and in
safeguarding the city.
I'm the first place I would be un-
alterably opposed to letting a con-
tract to any one company exclusive
of other bidders and the council has
not done so, as appears to be the
popular idea. The proposition sub
mitted by the American company is
not a contract to build a sewer sys.
tenn at stipulated price. 1t is simply
an agreement to build an adequate
sewer system at cost with an added 10
per cent to reimburse the company
as profits on its experienced engin-
eers and workmen. machinery, and
general risk, while limiting the
amount to the city's estimate. 1 feel
sure that any contractor would call
such a margin entirely reasonable
under the circumstances.
THE American company does not
offer to do the work at fixed price
but simply guarantees that at the
city's estimate. 1t simply agrees to
do the work at cost and the city has
every advantage in such an arrange
ment because all bills will be audit
ed and paid by the city, all time kept
by the city's employees, all work in
spected and approved by city in
spectors and later by the council, and
all purchases of materials etc. made
hNF fh.a .if ~ 4
in the open market The contract
ing company could in no manner
buy inferior supplies, make a profit
on supplies or do inferior work nor
could it in any manner pad its pay
roll or avoid doing the work as
planned and specified by the city. In
addition-and I call particular atten-
tion to this point-the American
company fixes a maximum cost for
the work and deposits a bond of
100000 covering its guarantee. More
than that. 1t leaves in the possession
of the city. five per cent OF It's ten
per cent profit until the system has
been accepted and fully approved by
the city.
"The matter simply resolves itself
into this-the American company
mas nOtnlnB 10 90 with IlAlnB lHt
cost. The city does that by the su-
pervision of the work. If quick sand
is encountered, the contracting com.
pany, no matter what its expenses
can not exceed the stipulated maxi
mum figure fixed by the expert en-
gineer Mr.. Gray.
81 also call attention to the fact
that the offer made by this company
was not a standing offer. It was fol
immediate acceptance or rejection,
Had there been any reason to hops
for better offer. there might have
been grounds for criticism but any
fair minded person will agree thai
considering the machinery, exper
fenced employees. possible risks ant
heavy bond, with a maximum allow
ance OF time and money, the ten pei
cent additional over the cost
small. I desire to say that I wan
20 see an adequate sewer system al
soon as possible, at the very lowes'
price possible to obtain, because tn
city is in sore need OF such an i'm.
proyement, and I give It as my hon
est opinion, that the proposition act
ed upon by the council. Is in my es
timatlon, about as good one as WI
can expect and I think delay in th'