The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-07-11
RIDDLE PUZZLES AS
MUCH As EVER
South Holman Street Citi-
zens Despair of Having
Street Improved.
BOARD IS VExED At DELAY
Chances Are That Pavement VIII
Not Be Put In For An
other Year.

The problem of widening and paw
ing Of South Holman street is no near
er a solution today after the morning
session of the board of public works
than 1t was year ago. and the prop
erty owners now despair of having the
street improved this year.
The matter of the kind of brick to
be used came up and was the subject Of
a spirited debate. 1t win be remem-
bered that the specifications named
metropolitan block of something equal
ly as good
When the bids were opened it was
discovered that the price of the metro
politan block had been advanced 50 a
thousand. F. ". Lucke, who repre-
sented the Metropolitan company, and
also the Thomas Moulding Brick com
pany. saw that the people would not
stand for an increase of 50 per thous-
and in the cost of metropolitan brick
and suggested that they take the
moulding brick which he would bid in
at a price which would make it come
within the specifications.
Deal ArOuses Suspicion.
The suspicion was at once raised that
the whole deal was a plan on the part
of Lucke to force the city to use the
moulding brick instead of what they
wanted the metropolitan block.
John Dyer was one of the men at
the meeting who opposed the moulding
brick most strenously. He declared
that he would raise heaven and earth
before he would become the victim of
such a conspiracy.
The plan was suggested by Mr.. T. W
Lucke having the brick tested by the
r. w. Hunt company. professional
tester. Judge GilIett's objection to this
was that the professional tester might
be interested, that the bricks which
We're submitted might not be an aver
age brick.
In reply to John Dyers question as
to whether the moulding brick had
ever been tried out on any of the
streets of the country. Mr. Lucke ad-
mitted that the brick wastaoinnnu ntu
however. that the brick was made by old
experienced brick-makers in a new
half million dollar plant which was built
for the purpose.
Hesitates to Experiment.
Gillet said that he did not think it
wise for the people of Homewood to
make the experiment 1t was then sug-
gested that a test be made at either
Purdue university or at Illinois. The
objection to this was the fact that the
schools are now closed for their sum
mer vacation.
Finally Jacob SchIoer said that he
was in favor of throwing out all of the
bids and beginning all over again. He
said that the people seemed dissatis-
fed with the moulding brick and he
did not see any other way out of it.
Adam Ebert then said: The trouble
is that the Homewood people do not
know what they want They say they
want brick with asphalt filler ant
then want a concrete filler. They ever
suggest macadam and there is not {
pavement on the market that some one
has not suggested"
Wages Lower; Brick Higher.
John Dyer said he could not see how
the metropolitan brick should be in
creased in price in the face of the fac
that wages are lower and that every
thing is being produced at much les!
expense That's asking too much" wa!
Dyer's comment.
When Adam Ebert said that tn,
South Holman street property owners
did not know what they wanted, Thorn
as Hammond came back at him with
hot rejoinder and said: I am glad w
have a board OF public works that doe
know what we want" The remark wa
taken as a joke and that ended TIL
discussion for a time.
One of the property owners STATED
that he understood the board had de
cided to put two heels in on the ives
side of Holman street instead of put
ting both at Carroll street in direct op
position to the unanimous decision o
the largest number of property own
ers which were ever gotten together 70
a consideration of the matter.
Board Changes Plan.
Mr.. Ebert. a member of the board
said that it was true the board had re
versed the decision of the prOpert
owners and that it had been done a
the suggestion of the mayor whe
Thomas Hammond and another prop
erty owner finally changed their mind
and decided that the two heel pla,
would be best.
John Dyer favors the plan to run tn
pavement right down the center of tn
street regardless of whom ii helps o
hurts and that seemed to be the con
census of the other property owner
present. So the matter stand. I
the wish of every property owne
were granted South Holman stree
would be as crooked as a COW patti
This mans trees would be saved, tn
mans walk would be moved and thi
mans would be allowed to renal
where it Is until the street would
one of the curiosities of the world.
The only action the board took on tn
matter was TO lay the whole matte
over until the 20th of the month.