Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-07-22
CONTRACTORSARE
SEEKING PAYMENT
Quad-City Builders Exchange Adopts
Nelson Form for Choosing Bid
derS and Awarding Work.
PLAN Is BIG STEP FORWARD
Committee Of ScVcn to BE Appointed
to Settle Questions Arising Tn
der New scheme.

seeks TO tN compensation on the part
OF contractors for the work of prepar-
ing and submitting figures under com
netitIyc bidding, and which it is be
Ncyed IS q remarkable step forward
and Will eventually be adopted all
over the country, has been approved
by the Quai-City Builders exchange.
This exchange now has a II lber-
ship of 220 general and sub-contrac-
tors and material men, residing in
Davenport Rock Island. Moline and
East Moline. +. J Barus is secretary
lt the organization.
The form has been prepared by II.
". Nelson. Moline The following is
the Introductory statement Of Mr.. Mel
son. Estimating costs and estab-
fishing prices is an overhead expense
involved in any merchandising, but
the cost Of doing so is generally NOM
iuaI II not insignificant and can be
jusrifably distributed The cost of
figuring or estimating work 10 be per
formed in accordance with special
specifications to meet each case, how
ever. differs materially from estab-
fishing a price 10 each Of a thousand
hats all made from the same material
and from The same pattern; therefore,
this form is suggested 10 meet special
conditions; to more justly distribute
the cost of competition and estimating
and 10 make each project bear its own
proportion Of the cost"
Resolutions Adopted.
Following are the resolutions rela-
tive to the Nelson form which were
adopted by the Quad-City Builders
exchange.
TO the President and Members Of
the Quad-City Builders Exchange:
t1i fn- no
pose OF drafting and submitting for
your approval a code of practice for
bidding on contract work hereby begs
leave to submit its report to your hon
orable body.
After careful consideration, this
committee comedies the correct prin-
ciples and sound reasoning embodied
IN the Nelson form Of choosing bid
ders and awarding contracts, of which
Herman W Nelson of Moline is the
author All members of this exchange
have been furnished a printed copy Of
this form. It is the further belief Of
your committee that said form can and
should be brought into practical and
universal use and that its adoption
will tend 10 eliminate most, If not all,
of the evils now existing under the
useless and wasteful competitive
methods generally prdCticed; that the
form is Unquestionably fair to all par
ties involved in any competition;
that because OF the demand on the
part Of the bidders for compensation,
The competition will as a consequence
be reduced to a reasonable and meri-
'0riOus basis That the bidder who at
present deems il necessary to bid on
n price basis only viii soon find it to
his interest to give consideration to
ether factors and thereby better the
character of his work and service;
likewise the buyer who persists in the
perniciOus practice of allowing bid
ders to compete solely for the purpose
If 'dickering' with the bidder he in
tends TO favor. Will soon find it more
costly than he can afford. Therefore,
your committee offers for your con
81 1eration and adoption the following
resolutions:
Re II resolved:
"First-That the Quad-City Build
ers' Exchange shall adopt for use by
all its members. when competing, the
Nelson form Of choosing bidders and
awarding contracts, in substantially
the printed form attached hereto, and
all inrents expressed therein. That
BEGINNING (date to he established
laterj and thereafter, all members
when they are requested to bid upon
priyateiy-owned work, shall serve no
tice TO owners and architects that they
viii submit bids in accordance with
this form only. That each member in
Giyidually and this exchange as
whole shall use its best efforts TO
bring about the speedy adoption OF
this form. in public and all other work.
That the matter be given general pub
LEFTY so that architects, engineers and
the public in general may be informed
that the contracting fraternity fully
intends hereafter TO respect its own
rights and liberties. but without in any
way interfering with the rights OF
others.
Second That this exchange shall,
however. reserve the right TO change,
modify or improve the Nelson form as
and when conditions may warrant or
demand, through and by special
standing committee, as follows:
"Third-That the president OF this
exchange shall appoint, and the mem
bers shall approve, committee or
seven members 10 serve for period
OF one year. with power 10 act on all
matters pertaining TO the adopted
form. to settle questions regarding It's
meaning or intent. and TO decide upon
matters pertaining 10 any changes or
notifications in said form. BE it I'M
derstood. however, that all decisions
REGARDING the intent Of the form be
spread upon the Official records Of the
exchange. and that all changes or
notifications in the form be APPROX
ed by the members
"Fourth-That this committee $50
that all of it's decisions may be as
neutral and fair 10 all branches as
possibIe) shall be appointed as FOL
lows.
zone chairman -Actiug secretary of