The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-22
COMMUNICATIONS.
From the Mayor.

re the Honorable the Common Council.
Gentlemen--Referrin 70 the resolu-
ing the contracts made by the Com
missioner OF Public Works for fur
ninhing paving brick for the City OF
Detroit during the year ending Janu-
AIRY ~. 1912, beg leave TO call your
attention to the complaint OF an APP
parently responsible bidder, that while
his bid was three cents per yard lower
Than otbers, IL was ignored The fact
that some bricks had not proved as
GOOD as nrst-class paving brick should
be. should not enter into the conten-
tton. when city specifications are bid
upon and guarantee made OF fufflll-
Il test OF wear In At the n strees spse'i the
only test to guide US. We could, under
such system. never get the benefit or
new and improved paving brick.
BY representatives OF the unsuccessful
company were not produced In such a
manner that can present you proof
q unfairness. Hence, do not feel
privileged to exercise the veto power.
But do wish now to emphasize the
opinion that In order to prevent any
suspicion OF unfairness I'm the future
on the part of the Commissioner, the
council or the Mayor. the city should
purchase the proper machinery for the
raftler test OF brick, and that. In con-
nection with absorption, these tests
should be made not only before the
Ssns ssssry OF 81 Brick geder sse
truct- You will thus create a system
OF testing and inspection that will pro-
tect you against Inferior brick. in adj
anlon TO the good Judgment OF the
After conference between the Com
missioner OF Public Works and myself
this morning, the Commissioner has
agreed 10 these tests being made on
brick purchased under this years con-
tract This test will practically be a
part OF the bidding specifications. and
viii demand that the brick shall stand
11ed by the National Brick Makers AS
sociation, to-wit: The loss from abra-
sion shall not exceed 20 per cent, and
the loss from water absorption shall
test shall be made frequently on de-
livery from cars, and on each street
after the brick is delivered.
The Corporation Counsel has advised.
and Mr.. Haarer has concurred In his
opinion. that this may be construed as
- dennition OF the present wording
that the brick shall stand all reason
able tests as 10 durability and fitness
TO- which paving material is usually
subjectedp
would like TO call your attention
to another matter which / trust you
VIII take up In due time, in order that
II may be inserted In next years con-
tracts. and that Is TO examine into
the advisability OF inserting i'm the
proposals, In addition to a thorough
test clause, the assurance that every
successful bidder will be given M, on
portunity TO furnish at least i've hun
dred thousand brick.
Brick manufacturers are now under
the unprecedented there seems TO be
some reason for this contention-that
under the clause "a million or less .
while they may be successful in hid
ding. they may not be called upon to
fufnfsh one single brick and + am
under the Impression, after having
thorouEhly gone into the matter, that
the Ave hundred thousand mInimuno
clause would result I'm greater corn
petition; and that we will have two
bidders 20 one at the present time. be-
cause bids will be placed with tha
knowledge that brick will have to be
Respectfully,
WIN. b. THOMPSON.
Mayor.
4 Referred TO Committee on Streets.