The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-20
BIDS ON BRIDGES
Action Again Postponed b.
County Commissioners.
Disagreement ON Price, Esti-
mates and Builders.

l i
The county commissioners have again
deferred awarding contract for the FIJI
teenth street bridge. Those interested
in the letting believed it would be done
today. Nothing, said the sage, Is sure
but death and taxes. The matter has
been postponed until Monday. just two
weeks from the date the first bids were
opened and. on motion Of Commissioner
F. B. Simms, rejected. Persons follow
ing the series of delays believe them
due to the fact that the board Of four.
| three commissioners and the county
engineer. disagree among themselves as
to who shall be awarded the contract.
The reason given out today. for, the
continuance was that a city represent
alive should have been present, and
was not.
Does city representative intend
to be present at the letting?" w. G.
Tandy was asked.
NO. responded the city commission
er of streets. Were ready to award
the bid to the Topeka Bridge company.
We understood it would be done to-
day. I hoped the bridge would be ready
for the baseball season. But it can't
be done.''
The bridge is to be built across the
ans. The county engineers original
estimate was $15,559.22. half the cost to
be borne by the city. This estimate
was sworn to. and filed with the city
clerk.
Since then the county engineer has
changed his estimate snany times
How many estimates have been
made?" J. c. Sinner, chairman Of the
county commissioners. was asked this
morning.
Mr.. Sinner hesitated.
II don't know" he replied.
On Monday, March 9. bids were OPP
ened for the 18th. the Mckinney. the
McCauley and Mud Valley bridges. At
this time it became known that the
erection of the McCauley and Mud VAL
ley bridges would be Indefinitely de-
layed. owing to lack of funds.
The bid Of the Topeka Bridge COM
pany for the Fifteenth street bridge
was $15.500, 1922 below the estimate
of the county engineer.
Commissioner Simms moved that all
bids be rejected. under the Kansas
bridge law providing that the board
may reject all bids. believed to be too
high. awarding the contract for any
sum lower than the lowest bid SO re-
jected.
ent. Forth stepped Commissioner
Tandy.
If County Engineer Arnold is con-
WINGED the sum is exorbitant,' said he,
award the contract to him.
County officials did not look pleased.
why, that's impossible replied
Commissioner Simms, I'VE haven't the
necessary machinery"
The old bids were rejected. New
bids were demanded. The county en-
gineer made new estimates. The mat
ter came up for discussion on Friday.
| March Is. Nothing was done. 1t was
rediscussed last Monday. No result. A
special meeting was called yesterday.
New bids were opened.
| The Topeka Bridge company re-
duced its bid $500. Mr.. Arnold's latest
estimate on the Luten design was $12,-
| 1877. This is q two-arch concrete span.
His estimate on his own design, con-
crete. rock foundation, is $2O,732.
Although the Thursday meeting had
been called especially to open bids. no
contract was let. Mr.. Sinner said this
morning that the bid would be let to-
day.
The commissioners were reached by
phone this afternoon.
who received the bridge contract 20
was asked.
"Oh," responded Commissioner
Nipps, that matter has gone over un-
| til Monday"