The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-03-03
NO BRICK COMBINE
DECLARES ". H.
! MAYBURi'
-s IIHuuu
FORMER o. p. w. HEAD sAYs-coM-
MISSIONER HAARER is ACTING
IN cITY's INTERESTS AND
SHOULD BE SUPPORTED.

William II. Maybury, former com
missioner OF public works, has taken
keen interest In the procedure OF
the council with regard to brick bids
for paving this season. Having had
experience for several years In hand
ling the city work. he Is In a position
to know the merits Of the controversy
That has arisen over brick prices.
Paving brick bids for this season
were trifie more than one per cent
higher than for last season, the COM
panies attributing this to Increases In
freight rates. Some Of the aldermen
declared that there was a brick com
bine, and the first bids were rejected.
No action has been taken as yet on
the second bids, which are practically
the same.
II do not believe there Is any com
bine," says Maybury. I'm my opin-
ion. Commissioner Haarer has, been
acting for the best interests OF the
city. There is no evidence whatever
to show a combine.
IL think the commissioner has been
doing the best that he could do and
the council should back him up. He
was courteous enough to ask my ad-
vice some time ago in regard to brick
matters. A man who can forget par
tisan differences and consult his pre-
decessor on public matters, Is certain
| ly acting conscientiously and unselfish.
| ly to forward the city's interest.
"The time has come when contracts
should be let. II is the commissioner s
right to have his contracts determined
by this time so that he can go ahead.
There should be no holding up unless
| for good reason. IL action Is not TAX
en-, there may be work unfinished at
the end Of the season and the blame
will be wrongly attributed to the com
missioner when, Yin fact, the fault will
not be his at all"
The streets committee OF the COM
mon council gave a magnificent ex-
hibition OF doing nothing Monday
morning and afternoon when the sea-
son contracts for asphalt and brick
were up for consideration. Asphalt
Expert Proctor showed figures back
ing up his recommendation that Der.
mudez asphalt be chosen.
A number of asphalt agents argued
for their particular brands. and the
committee adjourned until Tuesday
afternoon. The brick bids were not
taken up at all, although Commission
err Haarer had sent I'm a communica-
ton asking that immediate considera-
ton be given, as it Is time to let con-
tracts for paving work and delay may
prove costly.
Proctors figures show that the rela-
tive costs Of the three leading brands
of asphalt per square yard would be
Bermudez, .$,2957; Obispo, $.3l16;
Trinidad, $.373S. Buy using a different
mixture OF Obispo, the cost would be
a fraction OF a cent less yer yard
than the Bermudez, but this would be
more than compensated for by added
cost OF labor. 1t Is claimed
THE council has appointed me as
asphalt expert and I have given these
matters particular attention." says
Proctor. Then why does the council
not support my recommendations or
else fire me? They have quizzed me
and taken my figures to give to the
representatives OF the various bidders
but have not taken their figures to
give me so that could prepare an an
swer."
II is now stated that the council
committee will recommend rejecting
all bids on account of an alleged error
In advertising. the advertisement hav-
ing been altered after the first day.
Commissioner Haaref stated that the
advertisement was all right as he had
only to advertise once to comply with
the charter regulations.