The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-05-23
ON HILO
BREAKWATER

The first work on the Hilo break
water will probably be started within
the next month, according to a state
mcnt made by d. e. Metzger, who ar
rived here this morning by the Maui
ma Kea to sign up the contract for
the building of the Hawaii harboi
protection. This does not mean the
placing of the stone i'm position, or
even the bringing of it to the shore
where the breakwater will start, but
simply the preliminary work in the
quarry at Puma.
Mr.. Metzger stated that he was ra-
Their surprised to find that he had
been awarded the contract for plac-
ing the stone in position, as he had
thought that it was more likely that
he would simply be given the job of
quarrying and furnishing the stone
needed. His arrangements for the
plant which will be needed are prac-
tically completed and will be made
through the Honolulu Iron Works.
The plant will cost in the neighbor.
hood of 100000
The method of building the break.
water by running a track out on the
rock fill will not be used, according
to the contractor He will start a
trestle from the shore and will carry
it out to the end of the work, be-
ljeving that by doing this from the
start he will be able to do faster
work, and not take any chances OF
being forced to change his plans ar
ter he is in the middle of the job.
In speaking of the feeling of the
tlilo people in regard to the contract
MI. Metzger said:
Il think that everyone in Hilo is
we'll satisfied with the way that
things have turned out. At first there
was a feeling that they would much
rather have the work 20 to other
contractors who would have their
qrarries near the town, but this dis
appeared when the situation became
better understood. AS the superin.
tendent of the Hilo Railroad | have
always purchased everything possible
in Hilo and there will be no change
in this policy when I am doing my
own work.
Il should say that it would be about
ninety days before the actual work
on the breakwater itself will be start.
ed. 1t will probably be about thirty
days before the contract is approved
and then | am allowed sixty days
more in which to start the work.
can see no reason that the work
should not start in time and &c
through very rapidly.
Il will sign up the contract with
Captain Orwell on Monday or Tues
day and in the meantime, ever since
hearing of the acceptance of my bid
nave been making all the arrange
ments possible to get ready for {
quick start"
WASHINGTON, p c., May Gap
tain Otwell's recommendation of tn,
Metzger bid was based largely upol
hearings held in his offices after tn,
opening of the bids in Honolulu. In
struction No. 2, of the instructions t
bidders, stated that "a firm, as such
will not be accepted as a guarantor no
a partner for a copartner or firm O
which he is member" The testimon,
shows that Mayer admitted that hi
bondsmen were financially interestet
in his proposed contract, but there wa
no actually formed company.
In addition to this violation of tn
rule of bidding Captain Otwells ful
report to General Mckenzie containe
the statements that no definite com
pany had yet been formed by Mayer t.
carry on the work, and it appeare
that there was doubt as to the quarry
ing rights held by Mayer in connec
ton with the property from which n
proposed to get rock. Metzger had al
these points straight in his record an
testimony, and Captain Orwell in nj
recommendation said, as a result o
the investigation, it is believed tn
following facts are developed:
AS a result of the investigation, it i
| believed the following facts are de
veloped:
That the lowest bidder, Mr.. Mayer
submitted the bid before having form
ed a definite business association O
partnership;
That the bid of Mr.. Mayer was praC
tically that of Messrs. Hoogs and Bel
ser, they alone filing protest agains
the acceptance of the next lower bid
der;
That the guarantOrs to his bid weT
to all intents and purposes his part
ners, and hence disqualified as qua
; rantors.
, That the engineer-Mr Smlth-shoW
ed reasonable care in preparing est
= mates of cost and details of plant, bI
that the bid was submitted withoI
having a definite or businesslike a
rangement as to the essential right
quarry;
That Mr.. Metzgers bid is that of hin
self alone-he having offered if requi
ed by this Office, to take an aflidav
+ to that effect;
! That his arrangements were perfec
. ed in a businesslike manner, exec
Q that the rate which he agreed upc