The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-07-21
SHOULD HAVE 4 SQUARE DEAL

4
cess of evolution it was generally
agreed by well-informed people that
there would be more or less inconven-
fence attending the putting in Of the
| plant, chat there would be hindrance
to business and travel, with possible
sickness. All will now agree that the
prospective Inconvenience was much
exaggerated, and that there has been
no serious damage resulted from the
general tearing up of the streets.
There has been, of course, some annoy
ances and the streets in some respects
are not as smooth as they were before.
But in the interest of common fair
ness, we feel compelled to say word
for Mr.. Costa, the sewer contractor.
He by his bid saved the town some ten
thousand dollars to begin with, and
the sewer commissioners, engineers,
and inspectors all agree that he has
tried in all respects to live up to his
contract. In no case has he refused
to carry out the instructions Of the
commissioners and the engineers, and
although it is naturally to be sup
posed that with half a dozen or more
inspectors there should be different
interpretations of the same instruc-
tions he has 0beyed their orders. By
the terms of his contract he is to do
the work g in accordance with such de-
tailed directions, plans, profiles show
ing approximate dept h of sewers,
drawings and Instructions as may be
furnished and given by the said Board
of Sewerage or their engineers during
the progress of the construction of
the work, which direction, plans, pro-
files, drawings and instructions are
and are hereby made part of this
agreement. ~ When the work is
completed, all places and street sur
faces shall be left clean and in as good
order and condition as found in the
beginning, or as nearly so as may be
practicable. The expenses of repair
where settlements have occurred, or
any damages coming from imperfect
back-6lling, shall be borne by the con-
tractor until the final settlement is
made, two ~ months after the COM
pletion of the work, as specified in
Article S. ~ 1t is provided that
should any dispute arise between the
engineer or the board of sewerage and
contractor as to the meaning of any
instructions, plans, drawings and
specifications, ETC., in connection with
the work, the decision of the board of
sewerage shall be final and conclusive.
He is under bonds in the sum of for
ty per cent. of the amount of his con-
tract to faithfully perform his obliga-
lions, and on every payment due him
fifteen per cent is withheld until the
full completion and acceptance of the
work. The financing of work of this
kind is no trifling matter as can read
lily be seen. and with the premium on
his bond, money held on the fifteen
per cent. clause, the buying of pipe
and machinery that cannot be used
for year or more, because of litiga-
tion and other delays, and which is
not paid for until completed. Mr..
Costa has good many Thousand dol
lars tied up for which he has to pay
interest. Then by request of the sewer
commissioners and town authorities
he started the putting in of laterals
for house connections Immediately
interested parties interfered in many
ways and other persons gave orders
for laterals, which, when put in were
not paid for. He has been sued for
trespass, has paid damages for various
other things, and the board of alder
men even resolved to hold up his pay
because of the condition Of the streets
which was bluff pure and simple as it
had no authority in the matter. By
the terms of his contract Mr.. Costa is
responsible to no one but the sewer
commissioners and then only on writ
ten orders. If there is any neglect Or
trouble in regard to the sewer work it
is up to the commissioners to rectify
it, and for the sake of common fairness
and fair deal the people of the town
should lend every possible aid to man
who is up against a strenuous propo-
sition rather than put obstacles in his
way. Give the man square deal.