The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-04-04
BOARD ATTEMPTS
TO SHIFT BLAME
Turns Down Contractors
Pumping Indemnity Claim
on Intercepting Sewer.
CITY SAID TO BE LIABLE
BIG SEWER is STILL GAsPlNG
FOR AN OUTLET.

The board of public works last evening
endeavored to shift the blame for the fail
ure to provide an outlet for the intercept
ing sewer on the contractor. James Ken
nedy.
Two months ago Mr.. Kennedy presented
bill to the board for $4,000 for pumping
water out of the sewer while it was being
Dullt. According TO his contract he was
supposed to take care of all water ac-
cumulating in his trenches, but not for the
water flowing into the completed portion
or the sewer. II was for this latter work
that he charged and even the city engi-
neer acknowledged that the charge was
ar from excessive. Nevertheless the bill
was turned down last evening.
The board of public works has been fid-
ding around for two years in regard to
present ii is useless. If the outlet had
been provided for while the contractor
was working, all this excess water would
have been drained off, and the city would
not have been asked TO pay for the cost
OF pumping it. Those familiar with the
situation freely state that if a suit is
brought the city is in position where it
may be called upon to pay $4,000 for the
extra pumping, as the contractor was
damaged that amount by the water which
backed up on his work while he was dig
gin the sewer
A sidelght on the situation is shown by
the fact that the contractor for the inter
cepting sewer over year ago completed
$4,000 sewer on Main street which runs
into the intercepting sewer. AS yet he has
received not one cent for his work. and IT
is because Of the fact that the sewer. like
the intercepting, is no good until out
let is provided for the latter. The law
provides that no assessment can be made
until the work is done, and is OF some use,
hut this work mas been done and is of no
use.
HaIloran Is Surprised.
Last evening during the discussion of
fl.a Nh. IIlll sold hot Ia Il Il
rot realize that so much depended on this
outlet, and suggested that the board visit
the scene OF operations this morning,
which suggestion was adopted and the
mayor invited to accompany the party.
Mr.. Barlow and Mr.. Rookldge also ex-
presseds surprise that there should be any
trouble over the question. and Chairman
Mcmillan said that, although it was a
heritage of the past two years. he would
try to do his best to solve the problem.
b. G.. Raybould appeared before the
board again. He wanted to know why
some action had not been taken in estab-
fishing a sewer ia his locality. He lives
at 554 South West Temple street, and the
contract for the sewer in that district
was let to Mr.. Kennedy two years ago
He has not done The work because like
the State street sewer. ii enlpties into the
interceDting sewer which Is useless. and
he refuses to go ahead with the work I'M
iii the outlet is provided for. as he cannot
secure his money.
The board let several contracts last
evening.
p. J. Moran was given the job Of paw
ing First South street with combination
of Utah and California asphalt as the
property owners desired. The council rec
commended this action at its last meeting.
Sewer extension No. 1875. extending on both
sides OF Dunbar avenue. was awarded to
j. d. Hanley for s1.66 a foot.
Sidewalk extension No. III lnCnludluS
all uncompleted defective work in the
business district vas awarded 10 the 5.
Birch & Sons Construction company for
approximately $4,000.
Sidewalk extension No. 131 Pierpont
street went TO the Campbell Building
company for 1910 cents a square foot
and pa cents for the grading.
The contract for cross walks was
awarded to Andrew Burt at 80 cents Gu
bic yard for excavation and % cents for
hauling the flagstones less than a mile
and 10 cents additional for every yard
hauled over mile.
Davis x HeuSer were returned the check
which they forfeited ON sewer extension
No. 10. as il was discovered that the no
tice Of intention had never been pun
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