The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-01
QUEER BIDDING
BY CONTRACT TORS
City Engineer Thinks Ii Practi-
cally Amounts to Dis
tribltion Of Work.
sTRATTon AGAIN RESIGNS
Clerk and Bookkeeper Declare
That Duties Have Become
Too Heavy.
sTRATToN AGAIN RESIGNS

Attention OF the Council Committee
on Streets was called by City Engineer
Charles Il. Boiling last night 10 the
curiously close bidding of contractors
on granite paving. Four city blocks
are to be paved. Four bids were sub
mltted, the highest and the lowest
varying only cents per square yard
while the charges for extras were SO
adjusted as to make each bidder the
lowest bidder on one block The blocks
10 be paved are Fourth street from
Grace to Broad. Third Street from Mar
shall TO Broad, and Marshall Street
from Twelfth to Fourteenth
MI. Boiling said that the bids were
running too close: that It practically
amounted to Il distribution Of the worl.
between the four bidders, |. j. Smith
COMPANY Thomas ~ Barry & Com
pany. j. G. Wcinbrunn and Charles
Gasser. Mr.. Boliing said he did MOI
mean to charge any conspiracy at fx-
ms the prices but merely 10 call at
tenton to the curious combination OF
ilgure5 The prices were slightly low
CT than the same work was done last
year, but average nearly so per cent
higher than paving Of this character
some years ago.
Want Better Quality.
Mr.. Lynch thought that the city had
been getting work too cheap, that as !.
result contractors had been sighting
and delaying jobs, ana that If the citv
paid more. it would get better anu
more important work. The bids were
referred to the City Engineer TO award.
emphasis to be placed in the contrac,
on completing the work within {, time
limit to be fixed by the City Engineer.
Hrond Street Road.
MI Boiling reported that w p
Neitch, contractor for grading ana
gravclling Broad Street Road from the
Boulevard to the Rosencath Road was
more than sixty days behind contract
time; that he had many times notified
him and given him extensions; tina;
much good weather had passed, when
tile contractor was doing little or no
work, and finally he had notified him
to stop all work, and that the city
would have the job finished at the con
tractors cost, TO which Mr.. Neitch re-
piled that he did not recognize the City
Engineers authority, and that he
would proceed with the work. The
action Of the City Engineer was unani-
mously approved, and he was instruct
cd TO have tho contract finished at the
cost OF the contractor
Ihe ordinance requiring the general
use OF iron istead of wooden poles
was referred to n subcommittee Many
show case permits We're granted, so
many in fact, that several members OF
, the committee announced that the time
was not far distant when the streets
Of the city would have to be cleared
Of all such obStrnctions.
Resolutions ON Bottoms Death
Mr Pollock presented resolutions on
the death of First Assistant City En-
Stneer Jackson Bolton, expressing the
sorrow Of the committee and It's appre-
citation Of one who served the city de-
devotedly and faithfully for forty
years The resolutions We're ordered
spread on q memorial page Of the com
mittee record by rising vote Speak
Ing on tho resolution Mr.. Boiling told
of his association with Mr.. Bolton
| through many years, first as junior as
, sistant for twelve years, when both
were under Colonel Cutshaw, and later
when he was superintendent of the
water works, and then City Engineer
Mr.. Boiling said he had never known
one who worked more laboriously for
what he believed to be the city's good
earnestly trying to perform his duty
as a public servant
Alustc mt Expense OF Alley Paving.
| several alleys. to which Mr. Lynch re
piled that the Council had diverted
| that fund to music in the parks Mr.
Don Leayy said that the Board had not
TO show that the committee had al
ready authorized the expenditure of
the greater part OF the fund in alleys
and alley crossings.
At the request Of Mr.. Sullivan the
following sewers We're ordered: Leigh
| Street. from lakewood Avenue to S
Street. to cost s2,275; S Street from
Leight Street to Thirty-nrst Street to
cost s745o; S Street. from Twenty
eighth to Thirty-frst Street, to cost
ssS T yonib from
| nections, $500; total, $4,000.
StrHttOn Resigns.
]. Taylor Stratton presented his
resignation as clerk OF the committee
and bookkeeper and accountant in the
Engineers Office. to take effect either
on March 30 or April 8. stating thai
on account Of his health he could nc
duties Of the position. Mr.. Boiling
said that there was no doubt that the
clerk was much ovorworked--that since
January Il there had been seventeen
meetings OF the committee and sub
committees. which the clerk had not
only attended, but, OF which voluminous
records had been written, besides
which tile annual report and accom-.
panying statistical tables had been
drawn. and vouchers check ed MP for
payment Of s6l5,O00 during the past
tee said that it would be a loss to the
department to have Mr.. Stratton re-
tire. Mr.. Lynch thought that when the
plan OF reorganization was adopted
and chief clerk provided for the
office, his duties would be greatly
lightcned, and after discussion the
resignation was tabled until the next
regular meeting.
q n.