The Detroit times., 1911-04-12

OF the agreement Neither does he ex-
pect the contractor 10 reduce his price
when AZ 10 found that the latter IL reap
ing greater pront than was anticipated.
IL happens not tnfrequently that con-
tractors estimates are found TO be on
losing basis. but seldom has a con-
tractor the temerity 10 ask TO be re-
leased on account OF faulty Judgment
am credibly informed by the En-
gineers office that Mr.. Hanley has
within the past few years successfully
bid on some $4,000 worth OF sewer con-
struetion work. and has himself com
pleted but $4,000 worth. or thereabouts.
the balance having been sub-let
In bidding, he had the same oppor-
tnnities 10 thoroughly investigate into
the conditions as others had, The En-
gineer informs me that he had knowi-
edge OF the borings the department.
made. That he did not avail himself OF
this data is no ones fault but his own
Your majority report itself admits that
the action and conduct OF the Depart
ment OF Public Works. and the City
Engineer, In regard TO the matter was
distinctly honorable and creditable,'
and this statement Is upheld By the re-
port OF the minority OF the committee.
Mr. James Hanley has no ground for
complaint.
Your majority report nnds that Mr..
Hanley expended $4,000 for lumber used
in the construction OF said sewer. that
this lumber had 10 be left underground.
and that $1,000 would be fair COM
pensation TO Mr. Hanley for IL. This
does not appeal TO me, as we have moth
ing TO do with the amount OF lumber
used by the contractor In order 10
properly construct the sewer. We might
as well be asked 10 pay for the tools
and machinery used
We city officials are expanding the
money OF the taxpayers. and should
guard u as II it We're our own. IL Mr..
Han1ey has lost money. IL has been
D n Ia nNKyn fat h.. Tain
report OF your committee asserts that
there was nothing in the testimony 10
snow that IL was necessary for Mr..
Hanley TO lose so much money on the
job. Frequently the matter OF proht
and loss on a contract is decided By the
good OF bad management OF the work.
especially where the contract Is taken
AT small margin. With that the city
partment OF Public Works has been
compelled TO finish contracts from
which the contractors wanted release.
and has done so Within the limit by
using the money retained from the con-
tractors This is one reason why secur-
ity bonds are required OF the contrac-
tors-to insure the completion Of the
work.
not available as the present contractor.
according TO the City Engineer. began
work at a point at which the condition
of the soil was most favorable. No one
CAT say now tue NlNS Woulu lOSC
by advertising for bids.
After full consideration OF the mat
ter | have no hesitation in saying that
th& report of the minority OF the com
mittee should have been adopted. in
stead Of the majority, and | so recon-
mend.
Respectfully submitted,
VIM. B. THOMPSON.
Mayor.
Apriu D. 1871.
on motion OF AID. Vernon. the vote b.
which the resolution was adopted was
without objection.
Aid Vernon then moved that the
resolution be referred back TO the
on Sewers.
Aid Gilman moved that the resolu-
ton be laid on the table.
Aid Vernon moved that the resolu-
ton be adopted Notwithstanding the
veto OF his Honor the Mayor
Aid Heating later withdrew his mo-
tion
The question was then put on the
motion 10 lay on the table. which mo-
ton prevailed.
10 the Honorable the Common Council;
Conference.-The following Reports
OF City Officers for the week ending
April s, 1911, are respect
fully submitted.