The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-07
Commissioners Threaten to
Cancel All Contracts.
STREETS ARE TORN UP.
Should Have Been Finished Si1
Months Ago.
John Ritchie Called Up on "Car.
pet" This Morning.

Declaring that the city would annul
all paving contracts now held by paw
ing contractors and do the work on
municipal plan, Commissioner Tandy
of the city board of commissioners is
sued final warning to the paving con-
tractors to make haste on their last
years paving work.
The scheme of Commissioner Tandy
was approved by the rest of the COM
missioners and if the paving contrac-
tors in Topeka do not obtain materials,
get men and rush their work, which is
six months behind time, to a hasty
completion. the city will take on the
work and finish it after annulling the
present contracts.
1--WE are getting mighty tired of this
delay and the long list of excuses made
by the contractors" said Mr.. Tandy
The contractors say they can't get
brick and can't get men. 1 will get
both brick and men and get them in a
short time if the city takes over the
work.
Il am with you,'' added commits
sioner Bone. ''If something is not done
at once the last years contracts will
be set aside and We'll take the work
in our own hands,"
There are about twenty blocks of
paving in Topeka which have not been
finished by the contractors. The city
has assessed a fine of SO a day
against them since January 1. With
this money it is expected that the city
will be able to finish up the work.
Accompanied by his attorney, John
j. Schenck, Contractor John Ritchie,
who is doing paving work for the city,
was placed ION the carpet" before the
board of city commissioners.
John Ritchie was fined $40 per day
by the city officials for the time elaps-
ing between January 1 and the com
will be in about 60 days) because he
failed to finish the work by the first
of the year, as he had agreed to do
when accepting the city contract.
In defense of his delay in paving
work and in order to influence the city
commissioners to refund his fine. Con-
tractor Ritchie came before the board.
The result ysas that the commission
ers took the matter under considera-
ton without giving any definite anSw er
to the contractor and without refund
ing the $1,750 held back on monthly
estimates.
While the city commissioners had
Mr.. Ritchie on the floor they threw
volumes of questions at him concern
| ing his delay. Mr.. Ritchie stood his
ground and answered every question
but not to the satisfaction of the
| board of city commissioners.
why have you been delayed over
| six months on this work?" was asked
| the contractor.
Il have been delayed for many rea-
| sons" he said. 1.-The extremely bad
weather last fall and winter made it
| impossible for me to do work. There
were weeks when 1 couldn't bring a
man on the ground for work. 1 have
been hindered by lack OF labor. Even
after 1 had advertised in the Topeka
newspapers I was unable to obtain
help. Many times found it impossible
| to get materials for the work-after
| sending all over the country 1 found
| that there was nothing to be secured.
Furthermore the city engineer changed
a number of the grades wrile 1 was at
| work and this caused many weeks Of
| delay"
why aren't you working now?'
"I can't get brick. None of the To-
peka brick companies are burning