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

To the Honorable the Common Council:
Gentlemen--Referring to the resolu-
ton OF your Honorable Body, confirm
Ing the contracts made by the Com
missioner OF Public Works for fur
nishing paving brick for the City of
Detroit during the year ending Janu-
airy 81. 1912, 1 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 others, IL was ignored. The fact
that some bricks had not proved as
good as first-class paving brick should
be, should not enter into the conteii-
ton. when city specifications are bid
upon and guarantee made or fulnll-
ment under city tests and inspection.
III test Of wear in the street is the
only test 10 guide us, we could. under
such q system. never get the benefit or
new and improved paving brick.
However. representations made to me
by representatives of the unsuccessful
company were not produced In such a
manner that can present you proof
OF unfairness. Hence. 1 do not feel
privileged 10 exercise the veto power.
But do wish now to emphasize the
opinion that in order TO prevent any
suspicion of unfairness In the future
on the part of the Commissioner, the
Council or the Mayor the city should
purchase the proper machinery for the
RATHER test OF brick, and that, In con-
nectton with absorption, these tests
should be made not only before the
bids are opened, but at frequent stages
during delivery of brick under con-
tract. You will thus create system
OF testing and inspection that will pro-
tect you against inferior brick, in adj
dillon to the good judgment of the
Commissioner.
After conference between the Com
missioner of Public Works and myself
this morning, the Commissioner has
agreed TO these tests being made on
4 brick purchased under this years con-
tract. This test VIII practically be "A
- 81 al
will demand that the brick shall stand
the RATHER and absorption test as spec
flied by the National Brick Makers As
ISOLATION, to-wit: The loss from abra-
sion shall not exceed 20 per cent and
the loss from water absorption shall
not exceed three per cent, and that the
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 MI. Haarer has conCurrcd in his
opinion, that this may be construed as
q definition Of the present wording
that the brick shall stand all reason
able tests as to durability and fitness
: 10, which paving material is usually
subjected"
81, / would like TO call your attention
10 another matter which | trust you
will take up I'm due time, in order that
IL may be Inserted In next years con-
tracts. and that Is TO examine into
prpposals, in addition TO a thorough
! test clause. the assurance that every
successful bidder viii be given an OPP
portunity TO furnish at least i've hun
dred thousand brick.
Brick manufacturers are now under
the impression-and there seems 10 bC
some reason for this Contention-that
under the clause "a million or less "
while they may. be successful in BID
ding, they may not be called upou ia
furnish one single brick and 1 am
under the impression, after having
A NasaWf oh ffaf IN 4.
the five hundred thousand minimum
clause would result In greater corr.
petition: and that we Will have tw q
bidders 10 one at the present time. be-
cause bids viii be placed with tn,
knowledge that brick will have to bl
furnished. .- ....
Respectfully:
WM. u. THOMPSON.
Mayor.
February 81, 1911. ~.
Referred 90 Committee on Streets.