The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1917-03-20
N0TTRYINGTOBUTLD
BRIDGE, SAYS HAzEN
IN OPEN MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL

There was a big batch of bills be-
fore the city council last evening,
many of them "hangovers' from the
former administration and required
considerable time in the auditing. It
was about 8. O'Clock before the bills
were disposed of and the council had
settled down to seemingly unin-
teresting session when Alderman
Hazen of the Fourth ward unbelted
right swing and busted the new
bridge proposition squarely in the
nose. And as a result it was after 12
O'Clock before the city fathers and
several spectators who had stuck till
the close of the session left for their
homes.
Alderman Hazen started in a per-
functory sort of manner but before
he had gotten out of his system his
opinion of the manner in which the
bridge was being built he certainly
had enunciated a mouthful and there
wasn't any doubt in the least as to
what he thought about it, and what
he thought wasn't in the least COM
plimentary. And he didn't care who
knew it.
How It Started.
IL It started wnen he made a motion
that the inspector, on the work be
dispensed with and the city engineer
do the inspecting, Mr.. Hazen ex-
pressing his belief that the city en-
gineer could do the work as
he had little to do as time of
year. City Engineer Swinson
was called into the matter and
Informed the council that the work
Of putting in the concrete footings
was in order, that it required an in
spector continually and that he had
much other work in hand looking
after frozen sewers and other
duties which occupied much of his
time.
A general discussion ensued at the
close of which Alderman Hazen with
drew his motion, stating that he had
not been fully Informed of the true
facts in the matter.
Another "Bridoe" Letter.
A few minor details of business
was then disposed Of and a commu-
Bridge company, contractors of the
new bridge, discussing some matters
pertaining to the plans of the bridge
and quoting the names of several
smen whom the company designated
as experts as references, in a propo-
sition for some changes in the speci-
fications Of the bridge.
Hazen Expresses Self.
"The city hired an architect and
let the contract for the bridge accord
ing to the plans and specifications" "
snorted Hazen. "Why don't it hold
good? They are not building the
bridge, not trying to-just dillydal-
lying along and fooling. I can't see
where they have any right to change
the construction of the BRIDGE"
Alderman Miller-"That's what I
hold"
Bridge Attorney Speaks.
E. E. Mcdonald, attorney for the
company building the bridge, ad-
dressed the council anent the pay
ment by the city for the plans drawn
by an Indianapolis firm. There is a
difference of opinion whether the city
of Bemidji should pay for the plans
which has the contract for building
Tie DFluSc.
Mr.. Mcdonald stated the bridge
company wanted the city to give it
the money for the plans, that the
bridge company had to pay the In
dianapo1is company for them. Mr..
Mcdonald asserted the city let the
contract for the bridge to the 1lli-
nois Steel Bridge company on the
plans and specifications furnished by
the Indianapolis concern, and that
the city should pay for the plans and
specifications. He stated he would
like to have the city take action on
the matter Immediately and draw
warrant for $1,000 as part of the
payment for the plans.
Delay is Advised.
City Attorney Brown is out OF the
city, called by the death Of a rela-
tive, and States Attorney Torrance
was looking after the legal duties
of the city in his stead. He was
asked for an opinion as to the pay
ment for the plans. etc, and gave it
offhand that in his judgment moth
ing should be done without further
consideration. He gave it offhand al
so that the contract for the bridge
was taken for certain sum and that
nothing was said about the city pay