Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-06-15
EXPLAINS REASONS FOR
DELAY OF WORK ON
SLOUGH BRIDGE
IS GIVEN SUPPORT
SOLONS VOTE TO WITHDRAW
COMMUNICATION OF PERU
BUSINESS MEN--tUND'S CHARG-
ES ARE FOUND TO BE BASES
ON MEAGER CAUSES.

Declaring that the claims OF the
Peru Business men, in the delay of the
slough bridge were unjust, Supervisor
Richey presented an able report this
morning to the Board of Supervisors.
Mr.. Richey denied the charges that
the bridge was lin no way near com
pletion" and recited to the board the
hard difficulties encountered in bring
ing about the structure over the
slough back water of the Illinois riv
er His report was responsible for
the withdrawal Of the communication
of the Peru business men AS a mat
ter of record from the books Of the
county clerk
Presenting his report, which was
i rather lengthy and which required an
hour and twenty minutes to read,
Mr. Richey said
Bids for the slough bridge were
opened April 27, 1916, at which time
the Peru business men were present,
Acting in their wishes the contract
for the bridge wa sawarded to A. G..
Lund Il Co., for $ll,7S9 for the sub
construction, this did not include the
approaches or steel work. 1t was es-
timated in the contract that the piling
would have to be sunk twenty feet,
when the work was started 1t was ne
cessary to 30 thirty four feet before a
suitable foundation was found. Six
ty.three more cubic feet Of concrete
was required than estimated, A total
OF s73539 was allowed for work of
this nature on north abuttment and
the center pier.
Rock was found in the head of the
stream and 1t was impossible to drive
the piling thru these obstacles.
Men Go on Strike.
"Owing to the hard work and the
tremendous difficulties encountered
the men went on strike, and before
they would return to work 1t was ne
cessary to pay them fifty cents pei
hour,
G. M Lund and his partner w. 4
Gray, had some trouble and Dissolved
partnership. Bund said he would con
tinue the work alone After few
weeks Lund sold out to the firm OF
Robertson & Miller to complete The
work for $4,000 after continuing th'
work for several weeks Robertson 4
Miller said they could not do the WORK
and threw up the job
Acting upon the advice of the state
highway commission, Mr. FarnswOrth
and Mr.. Older Of the state highway
commission undertook the task Of see
ing to have the work completed them
selves. An inspector by the name o
Reed from the state highway com
mission was sent out and he checked
and watched every bit of work done
He made report Of the progress O
the work each week to Mr.. Farms
worth, which report has been submit
ted to the committee In charge OF tn
countys interest,"
Lund's Report.
Mr.. Richey then requested Mr.. Lun
to make out a report Of the amount q
work accomplished. Bills calling fo
railway expenses to first class accon
modations In Hotel Peru were sent |
and 1t was made to appear that tn
county should assume these oblig;
tlons Assuming too. that Lund
claims were just, the Peru busines
men, submitted q letter to the boar
and have the audacity to make tn
board believe that your committe
has made the county responsible fl
all Of Lund's charges said Mr.. Ricl
ey.
II was shown In the report also tn;
G. l.. Miller had been advanced sun
of 800, $25 $50, etc. in fact, whenc
er he ran short Of "kale," Lund is su
posed to have advanced II and then q
sumed the county would pay Il
X charge.
II Is estimated that about $1S,099'
worth OF work was done by Lund al
his sub.contractor which he claims
likely to be allowed and not $4,000
The men doing the steel work
the bridge reported that they wou
have the Job completed in ninety da,
time from May 6, or about August
Their contract allows them this mu
time. but they have already finished
greater part Of It and will be finish
before the time set in the contra
There are some necessary fills