Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-06-28
COUNCIL MEETS IN SPECIAL SEES
SION AND AMENDS sPEcIFI-
CATIONS AS TO DATES.
WORK BEGINS JULY 20;
FINISHED BY NOV. I
Rather Test is Discussed, But Council
Does Not copsider 1t Wise to In
crease Test Above 1s Per Cent =
Herman Announces No Concrete Paw
ing This Year.

ing called by the mayor Monday night,
voted to amend the specifications for
brick paving. relative to a change Of
the dates when the work is to be be-
gun and finished and readvertise for
bids, but nothing was done TO change
specifications which give monopoly to
one mans paving brick. The changes
made call for the work to begin July
20 instead of July l, and be completed
by Nov, l instead of Oct. !. Action on
the bids is fixed for July II.
Councilman Herman wanted TO know
what could be done concerning the
paving Of alleys between Second and
Third avenues and Main and Church
streets, which We're originally in the
brick section and then changed TO con-
crete on a petition of the property
owners Mr.. Herman said that it was
really necessary that the alleys be pay
ed before another winter arrived, and
asked If the property owners could sign
a waiver and place the alleys in the
brick section.
City Solicitor F. E. Northup said that
IN his opinion the kind Of paving could
not be changed without again going
thru the entire process of adopting
resolution of intent. unless the waiver
included the entire front footage. This
he considered impossible because some
would not want paving Of any kind.
No Concrete This Season.
Councilman Herman, of the streets
and alleys committee, said that there
would be no concrete paving laid this
season. and it was because of this fact
and the necessity of paving the alleys
mentioned, that he would like to see
the two alleys paved vita brick. Coun-
Gilman Good wanted to know why the
concrete paving would not be done, and
Mr.. Herman said that the work could
be let to better advantage by waiting
until winter or early next spring. The
specifications in the meantime could
be changed so concrete men could bid.
Herman called attention TO the fact
that, at the last concrete letting, there
was not a concrete bidder on the job
and that the only two bids received
were from brick men. Herman thought
that concrete men were already 700
busy this season to take on any more
work, and that by letting the work
during the winter, or early IN the
spring, a saving Of 80 or 50 cents per
square yard could be realized to the
property owners. Herman believed
that cement could also be purchased
cheaper during the winter than during
the middle of the paving season.
Discuss Rather Test.
Mr.. Herman called attention to the
rattler test at IS per cent, and asked If
IS per cent were not lower than it need
be- He thought possibly % per cent
would be low enough, and believed that
the IS per cent test tended to favor the
burlington Brick Company and cut out
competition on the bids.
City Engineer Steiner was called up
on to give his views. He thought that
an IS per cent test would provide the
city with a much better brick than
22. He thought that 18 per cent was
perhaps a little strong, and possibly
favored the burlington people by rea-
son Of It's advantageous position in re-
gard to freight rates. Steiner said that
he thought that a % per cent test
would provide as good brick as any
that are now laid in MarshalltoWr. If
the test was made at % per cent the
! city might be able to get brick from
either Dies Moines or Oskaloosa and
that the burlington people would not
bid against them because either town
could furnish the brick and would have
the advantage in freight rates
Favors 10 From Engineers Standpoint
| Clark asked Steiner what would be
the limit Of test he would favor. Stein
er answered that the lower test made
would mean the better brick. AS city
engineer i would rather have IS; as a
property owner l would rather have
% per cent brick replied Steiner.
Herman asked Steiner If he did not
consider Des Moines brick very good
| brick. Steiner replied that he did, but
he thought that more IS per cent brick
would run below IS than % per cent
brick would run below %
| The mayor said he believed if the
test were lowered the quality Of the
pavement would also be lowered.
Gregory believed tina if the city was
going to put in brick he believed in
putting in a good brick. He considered
Des MONIES brick good, but he also
thought that Purington were better
than any brick that were made near
CT home. He did not pretend to know
much about the RATHER test. or about is
and % per cent brick. but he did want
to see a good brick used.
abide by the city engineers opinion.
Mayor to Keep Quiet.
The mayor took occasion to declare
that 1t was most unfortunate, in his
opinion. that men who were trying to
act honestly and get an honest job
should be accused of graft. when
find man who is always ready to call
graft always believe he was schooled
in the education. / haven't word
to say about the specifications, or what
kind of brick to lay, but think we
should lay some. We have already
spent between $4,000 and $4,000 in adj
vertising resolutions of necessity and
. investigation Of paving, and We ought
to do something. We must not be in
. huenced by men who are trying to tea,
down and not trying to build up thei'
town" The mayor said1e thought thu
council would do what was right by thu
people, and u it said 20 per cent bricl
| was All TisiIt 4 was ali tight with him
but he did not think the council woult
favor cheaper brick
III On the vote on the resolution al
II l,,ox. Sod