Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1915-06-22
Alderman William Hlker Fights
for Competition In Bidding
on Local Jobs.
DELEGATIONS ARE HEARD
High Street and Hall Avenue
Among Many to be Paved
Aldermen Cite Laws
During Paving Talk.

SQuabbling arose over the extern
sion Of favor to the alleged asphalt
trust when action was taken to pave
Hall avenue, High street, Commerce
street, Watson avenue, First street
and Gordon street at regular meet
Ing OF the Board OF Aldermen last
night. Alderman f. William Hilker
fought IN vain for competition in
bidding on the pavements. He claim
ed to have documentary proof that
the alleged trust was furnishing as
phalt block pavements in other ci-
ties. notably Newark, for from sew
enty-fve cents to dollar less q
square yard than has been paid in
this city He argued in vain that
under the laws of 1913, the council
could advertise for various kinds of
pavement and thereby create compe-
tition. The reply of the Democratic
aldermen was that the law prevent
| ed such competition under present
conditions in which asphalt block
had been asked for by some of the
property owners. The resolutions to
give public notice of intention to pass
ordinances for the pavement In uues-
tion were finally passed by vote of
I six to one, Mr.. Hilker voting in the
negative. Action was taken for other
street Improvements on several thor
oughfares in the north western sec
tion
Hear from Delegations.
Prior to the taking OF steps to
proceed with paving work In the
aggregate amount of approximately
$3.50, 600, the aldermen heard from
delegations in reference to desired
pavements. August Kroeger spoke
IN behalf of some of the property
owners in Watson avenue who want
ed pavement. He claimed that 1t
was needed badly and that the prop
erty vWners were willing to pay for
1t. In his opinion conditions were
terrible there at times Alderman
at-Large w. Guy Weaver stated that
he believed the request would have
the support of the board. Property
owners from Commerce street next
took the floor and the spokesman
asked for a suitable pavement there.
He held tnat it was about the worst
mud hole in the CITY," Traffic there
was great, he claimed. and at times
vehicles became stalled. Mr.. Weav-
er said that project would receive
the same support as the Watson ave-
nue. proposition.
The first pavement resolution
adopted was to pave Commerce
street, with asphalt block, and from
High street to the Staten Island
sound with vitrified brick. 1t was
passed unanimously. A resolution
to give notice of intention for paw
ing Hall. avenue with asphalt block
was then introduced. Mr.. Hilker
moved that 1t be amended to include
estimates on brick, bitu1ithic, Anne
cite and concrete surfaces. Mr.
Weaver replied that such a proceed
ure had been found illegal and not
according to, law. Alderman Will
liam c. Wilson said he had nothing
against asphalt block, as there was
no question that 1t made an elegant
surface, but he thought 1t would be
better If arrangements could be
made to have local contractors bid
on the work. He declared that the
asphalt company had soaked" the
city on concrete and other parts of
paving work Alderman John j.
Clark replied to MIR. Wilson, stating
that according to information in the
hands of the mayor, such conditions
would not result again.
Room for Competition.
Mr.. Hilker then became emphatic
In his declaration that there was
room for competition on pavements
and he argued against letting one
Arm have work for upwards of half
a million dollars In short time. He
told of having figures to prove that
the asphalt block makers were
charging other cities from seventy
FIVE cents to dollar less square
tCont1nued on page Al