The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-11
THE CAPITOL CONSTRUCTION.


We trust that the State Capitol Com
mission will make no delay IN letting
the contract for the construction OF
that building. There has been ample
time to consider every item of specitl-
cations. and there can hardly be any
thing much the matter with the plans,
specifications. and details at this time.
The long delay since the capitol was
authorized by the Legislature OF 1911
has allowed ample time for cousidera-
ton. The architect has. no doubt,
worked out his plans TO due consistency
and perfection, and the Commission has
now had fair time TO consider the bids
made on construction. The idea that
there shall be any favoritism as among
bidders is preposterOus- The Commits
sion cannot afford to play favorite in
this matter, but must be bound by the
law. by its advertisements, and by the
rights Of the bidders as submitted. No
suggestion that foreign bids shall be
thrown out and local bids only consd-
cred can be admitted at this time, since
open bids were advertised for, and were
received from outside as we'll as local
houses
In making up the award on the bids,
the Commissioners will, Of course, use
businesslike discretion and judgment,
and will be perfectly open with all Of
mcnt, no hint of jugglery, and no pos
siblc ground for any imputation that
any bidder has not had n square deal.
1t is quite possible that in the process
of construction the Commission may
find il desirable TO add something that
has not been heretofore considered, as
the row of monolith pillars proposed by
Mr.. Young; and other additions consid-
cred desirable might come 10 notice as
the work proceeds. But this is no more
than any builder of very large struc'
ture is liable to find as his work goes
on. In such case il will only be neces.
sary for the Commission to be perfect
" open and frank with tho public, let
everything be explained without re-
serve. the reasons given, and the cost
stated, and the public will, no doubt,
be convinced, will acquiescc in the de.
sira bility of the changes, and in general
with the acts OF the Commission. In all
these matters, honesty, publicity, and
intelligence arc what count ANY at
tempt TO cover up anything, To conceal
any move in this public business, would
OF course throw suspicion on tho whole
work of the Commission. and must be
sturdily avoided.
And SO we trust that that body will |
suffer no delay in proceeding with the
letting of the contract for construction.
and that if occasion arises for any
change or addition, the Commission will
no perfectly frank about it, and state
TO the public just what is proposed
and why il is proposed and what the
cost VIII be. Proceeding thus in n
aiehtforward, public manner, con
cealinG nothing aud giving good rea-
sons for everything. tho Commission ha IS
no reason 10 he afraid. but can pro-
cced confidently, deserving and receiv-
ing the support OF the public in what
it does. The public is an intelligent
public, that hates TO he iuggled with
or deceived; but when That public un.
derstands ii is being treated fairly aud
squarcly, nothing concealed from it, but
It's interests conscientiouslv conserved
at all times and honestly protected, both
by positive measures for the public ad.
vantage and by guarding against any
dcrebction OF any kind, confidence will
be meted out in Just measure, and the
Commission can be sure of itself and
of public support.