The Detroit times., 1911-02-21
THOMPSON JACKS UP"
IIAARER ON BRICK BIDS
Continued from Page One.

the bids should be higher when IL
came TO readvertising. The com
pany. however, was unwilling TO meet
these conditions.
The mayor will send the following
communication on the subject TO enc
council tonight:
To the Honorable the Common Council:
Gentlemen-Referring 10 the resolu-
ton OF your honorable body, confirm
ing the contracts made by the com
missioner OF public works for furnish
ing paving brick for Detroit during
the year ending Jan. 81. 1917, | beg
leave to call your attention TO the com :
plant OF an apparently responsible
bidder, that while his bid was three
cents per yard lower than others, X
was ignored. The fact that some bricks
had moi proven as good as first-class
paving brick should be. does not enter
into the contention, when city speclh-
cations are bid upon and guarantee
made OF fulillment under city tests
and inspection. IL test OF wear in the
street is the only test 20 guide US, we
could. under such system. never get
the benefit OF new and Improved paw
ing brick However. representations
made TO me by representatives OF the
unsuccessful company We're not pro-
duced in such manner that can
present you proof OF unfalrness. tenGe,
I do not feel privileged 10 exercise the
veto power
But I do wish now TO emphasize the
opinion that. to prevent any suspicion
OF nnfairness In the future. on the par.
of the commissioner. the council or
mayor, the city should purchase the
proper machinery for the RATHER test
OF brick, and that. in connection with
absorption. these tests should be made
not only before the bids are opened,
but at frequent stages during delivery
Of brick under contract. You VIII thus
create a system of testing and inspec-
LII uatt ~ nlf n
ferior brick, In addition TO the good
Judgment OF the commissioned.
After conference between the COM
missioner OF public works and myselI
this morning, the commissioners has
agreed To these tests being made on
brick purchased under this years con-
tract This test viii practically be a
part OF the bidding speeihcations. and
will demand that the brick shall stand
the rattler and absorption tesiI as
specified by the National Brick Makers
association.
The corporation counsel has advised
and Mr. Haarer has concurred In his
opinion, that this may be construed as
a definition OF the present wording that
the brick shall stand all reasonable
tests as TO durability and fitness Ia
which paving material Is usually SUB
tected."
I would like tc call your attention to
another matter which, j trust. you VIII
take IN In due time, in order that IL
may be inserted in next years con
tracts; and that Is 10 examine into the
advisability OF inserting in the pro-
posals, In addition to a thorough test
clause the assurance that every sue
cessful bidder will be given an oppor-
tunity 10 furnish at least 100000 brick
Brick manufacturers are now under
the impression--apd there seems TO be
some reason for this contention--that
under the clause IA million or less.
while they may be successful in bid
ding. they may not be called upon 10
furnish "a single brick, and i am under
the impression, after having thorough
IN gone into the matter. that the 800,
900 minimum clause would result IN
greater competition and that we will
have two bidders TO one at the presen;
time. because bids will be placed with
the knowledge that brick viii have to
be furnished.