Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-06-07

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| blame.
Engineer in Error.
But, anyway, when the bids for the
improvements of streets were under
consideration, particularly those for
Fourth street, Councilman Lach-
mund rose to inquire what the engin-
eer's estimates we're. The Salem
Construction Company bid $S,77O.35;
w. D. Pugh, s9,O52, and the Capital
improvement Company $S,S47.31.
Two of the bidders had submitted
bids at a former session, which were
rejected as being too high, and this
was $500 less. but still about $1,000
higher than the engineers estimate,
and Councilman Lachmund moved
that they be rejected.
This brought Councilman Stolz to
his feet with the remark that the
engineers estimate was no doubt
conservative, and that he was not al
ways right" and that the bids of the
contractors had been made after con-
sultation with the engineer and sober
reflection, and he would like to know
what Councilman Lachmund based
his objection upon, and that infor-
nation was Immediately forthcoming.
II base my objection" said Coun-
Gilman Lachmund, after gaining the
floor, ION the engineers report. We
have him employed for a specific pur-
pose, and he is presumed to know his
business. The bids were too high at
the last meeting and were rejected,
and there is now reduction of 5000,
and may be, If we give them another
week, there will still be another re-
duction"
Councilman Huckestein suggested
that the matter be not fastened, and
that it be referred to the committee
on streets.
Mayor Takes a Hand.
Mayor Rodgers here took hand,
and he stated that he believed that
the engineer was in error and that
he would have to revise his figures"
He explained that the contractors
said labor was higher this year than
last, and that the rock was in the
hands of a monopoly. Councilman
Lachmund wanted to know how much |
labor had raised in the last week, but
the mayor was unable to answer. "It
is your impression he then came
back, that the bids are reasonable, !
and that the engineers estimate is
wrong, or did the engineer make the |
statement to you?" at is my impress
sion and also his" replied the mayor,
and then there was directed a volley |
of interrogatories to the engineer. He
looked at the mayor appealingly, and
the answers came hesitatingly, but he
finally admitted that his estimates
we're lower about by 10 per cent than
the yshould be
Discussion concerning the subject |
continued until Councilman Carson
arose and stated that he believed the
improvement was in tho ward of Coun
cilmen Huckestein and Hill, and that
If they were satisfied that the prop
erty owners would be satisfied with
the bids that he believed that under
those conditions they should be
awarded. Councilman Huckestein
stated he was under the impression
that it was about the best that could
be done, and a motion was made and
carried that the bid of the lowest bid
der be accepted
"Be Consistent"
The next bids opened were those
for High street, and the Warren Con-
struction Company submitted a bid,
together with check for $3.50.
Mayor Rodgers desired to know of
the street committee as to whether
1t had investigated as to whether the
price was the same as that charged
by the company for similar work in
the Northwest Councilman Stolz
stated that he did not know-that he
had written the engineer at Portland,
but had received no reply.
Il move said Councilman Lach-
mund, that this matter be referred to
The street committee to investigate,
rs to whether the price sought to be
charged here harmonizes with that
,harge delsewhere in the Northwest.
Il make the notion he continued,
because some time ago there was a
passed that this company
should be awarded no contracts until
is prices harmonlzed with those
,harged In other cities In the North
vest, and believe in living up to it;
relieve in being consistent; let us be
onsistent."
II was then that Councilman Huck-
stein arose and advised the common
ounoil that a certain reporter had
anded him a slip containing the price
harged by the. company elsewhere,
l. ]