The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-12
HE GIVES 1T UP.
Contractor on Melan Bridge Ex-
tension Is Discouraged.
Turns Over All Work to Foreign
Bonding Company.
WAS LOSING MONEY.
Repeated Setbacks Caused A. ID.
johnson to Fear Outcome.
Means More Delay on Building
OF "Dry Land Bridge.

The construction work, on the dry
land extension to the Melan bridge
has received another setback. A. D.
Johnson, the Kansas City contractor
who took up the work of building this
75-foot addition to the south side of
the bridge has stated to the board of
city commissioners that it will be i'm
possible for him to finish his work un-
der contract
In other words he has thrown up the
job. The city officials have found it
necessary to take the matter to the
Fidelity & Deposit company of Mary
land who have served as the bOndSmen
of Contractor Johnson. This bonding
company will take the work up where
it has ceased and according to the
agreement with the city contract will
construct it.
The bridge extension at this time is
in bad shape. A. d. Johnson has been
working ever since the oath of March
and has kept a gang of men and en-
gines on the work continually. De-
spite this attempt to complete his con-
tract the contractor is many months
behind. The bridge is not one-fifth
built.
The Melan bridge extension was or
dered by the city through bond cleo
amounting to $4,000. 1t was proposed
to build two new spans to the big
Melan structure over the Kansas river
each span IS feet in length. 1t was
commended at that time that the widen
ing of the Kaw river at this point
would reduce the flood dangers.
The contract was let to A. d. John
| son of Kansas City. 1t is said that Mr..
Johnson was not a bridge builder but
he took up this work thinking that it
would be easily carried through. For
awhile evrything went well. A big
gang of men was placed on the work
and things moved smoothly. But II
was apparent in a short time that the
excavation work according to the plans
adopted by the average bridge builder
and the city officials shook their heads
| in doubt.
Had Many Accidents.
Matters went from bad to worse.
Accidents with machinery and with the
sand banks near the river gave the
contractor continued trouble. Public
sentiment followed the contractor and
the work. People grew skeptic as to
kind and finally a strong sentiment
against the building of the extension
was prevlent in the city.
A short time ago the city engineer
| and staff condemned a big part of the
| work done by the contractor. He was
| required to tear out all his concrete
and place it in a better condition. With
this blow Mr.. Johnson relet the con-
tract to MS foreman ana until TINS
| week the work was under his charge.
| The work on the bridge now is
about one-fifth done. Pilings for the
concrete sections have been driven
and concrete is laid in places. But
nothing is above ground and there is
no apparent progress on the bridge. At
| a loss of several thousand dollars, Con-
tractor Johnson has resigned the work
to his bonding company.
The city commissioners have adopt
| ed the following resolutions:
whereas, A. D. Johnson, who en-
! tered into contract with the City of
Topeka on March "a. 1910, for the
| construction of the extension at the
south end of the present Melan arch
bridge over the Kansas river on Kan
sas avenue in the City of Topeka,
Kan. has notified the City of Topeka
that he will be unable to complete said
contract; and
Whereas, the Fidelity and Deposit
company of Maryland is surety on the
bond of said A. D. Johnson for the
faithful performance of said contract;
now therefore, be it
Resolved by the mayor and board
of commissioners of the City of To-
} peka, That the city attorney be, and
/ he is hereby directed to notify said
Fidelity and Deposit company of Mary
land of the inability of said A. D.
Johnson to complete said contract,
that he has abandoned the same and
that the City of Topeka. will hold said