The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-02-02
vOX POPULI.
ENGINEER HARP WRITES
ABOUT MUNICIPAL DOCKS

Editor Pensacola Journal.
In The Journal Of January 18th. I
note a communication signed by the
three bond trustees, selected for the
dock and railroad bond issue and in
the issue of July 14th, a communica-
ton from Mr.. Dobson Of the COM
mercial association, passing the bunch
over to me. Now, Mr.. Editor, want
to say few things In open meet
in" but before doing 30, wish to
donate to the city of Pensacola and
it's people any benefits that have, or
may accrue to 1t through my efforts
in its behalf to obtain these public
improvements.
I did for your city what your own
people could not do.
It so happened that was on hand
and struck the blow at the psyche
logical moment which resulted in the
voting Of bonds for your much needed
improvements. I plainly stated to all
with whom ] came in contact, that my
only hope Of reward in case the bonds
carried. was that 1 might design and
build these docks. My statement was
that I woNld do this on commission
basis. Whoever started the story that
day labor clearly showed that he was
ignorant Of the terms used in speak
ing of this kind Of work. The time
force work is used to cover any work
done at actual cost. Actual cost, plus
a stated amount. is in common use all
over the world. but this does not mean
the work is done by day labor only.
In constructing your docks 1t will be
necessary to employ men owning
dredges to make excavation, struc-
tural iron builders to do the steel
work, and such other trades as need
be employed. These contractors would
prefer to do the work at actual cost,
plus a stated amount Of profit, In
Guiding the wear and tear Of their
plants.
When a contractor bids on a Job he
must include all the risks he Is taking,
including all delays and damages or
every sort. To cover all the risks and
pl offs he must make his bid high
enough to cover all emergencies and
accidents. II every thing works well
he clears up a good, big profit and II
he has delays and accidents he figures
to still have a fair profit left. There
are many instances coming under the
notice Of most any observer when
work has been done by force account
or at actual cost, plus stated amount
for one-half the lowest bic offered.
Contract work Is nothing more nor
less than gambling. The contractor
bets he can do the work for a stated
amount, and the other fellow bets
he can't. There is but one plan that
is fair to both sides, and that Is the
actual cost, plus stated amount.
Now this whole controversy seems
to have been started and spread on
the statement that would design and
build the docks and railroad on a
commission basis. It seems many
people thought I should offer to do
this without pay. One Of your citi-
zens. Mr.. Andrews. commented on this
subject through the columns Of The
Journal.
note your bond trustees seem to
be very emphatic in their statement
opposing the honest and fair system
of actual cost, plus a stated amount,
II, favor Of the contract system Under
the actual cost, plus a stated amount
system, there is little chance for any
fraudulent work and the people can
rely on getting value received for
| their money.
1 also note the bond trustees pro-
pose to consult army engineers, whose
advice they say can be had for the
asking. Why bother the army engi-
neer? He may be able to give you
facts about the construction but he
can't tell you as much about what is
needed in the design of a dock as a
common trackman on a dock. In my
preparation to furnish you the best
design, l consulted army engineers,
port engineers and every one IN
! reach. When / summed it all up
!, simply had a jumbled mass of facts
and from this mass Of facts l made q
design, using the good features and
eliminating as far as possible, the
poor ones. Your bond trustees viii
wind up with the same jumbled mass
| of facts without ANYTHING tangible II