Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-06-30
BY G. s. HILL.
Associate Editor, "Engineering News
Record"

By c. s. HILL.
Associate Editor. Engineering News
Record"
Roadbulding is now the largest single
task before the construction industry OF
the United States. Unless the leaders OF
this industry as well as the rank and
file OF contractors who have for the
most part and also most capably per-
formed the lesser tasks Of receding road
programs, shall array themselves with
federal state and community officials to
advance this task, its accomplishment
will be retarded. How large construction
organizations regard road construction as
an opportunity for employment Is, there
fore, question Of vital importance, The
answer, as it appears after careful In
quiry and conferences with directors of
such organizations. is presented In the
article and discussion which follow.
Editor.
To expedite the enormous pro-
gram of construction which con-
fronts them, public road officials
need to enlist the services of large
organizations which heretofore
have perceived nothing that offered
profitable occupation of their re-
sources in the small, isolated, con-
tract method of doing road work.
A favorable conjunction of circum-
stances has placed these contracts
for a time at the call of road Off
Gals. Large hydraulic develop
mentst and heavy railway, bridge
and foundation work have been
stopped. Until they start again,
contractors who have looked to
them for employment will turn to
road work. 1t depends upon the
acumen of road officials whether
they continue in road work. Can
didly. the likelihood that they will
is not too promising.
Road Work Temporary.
. Large contracting organizations
cannot be permitted interested
in road construction, unless they
can be assured contracts OF suftl'
cient magnitude to command their
full resources, and unless they be
accorded the broadminded con-
sideration in road work to which
they have been accustomed in work
for private corporations. With
these inducements lacking, those
large contractors who have for the
moment exhibited an interest in
road construction will withdraw tc
their old lines of enterprise as soon
as bridge, railway, foundation work
and kindred of heavy construction
resume their pre-war activity.
Little has been done anywhere
toward defining the new conditions
which must be created in business
relationship between contractors
and highway officials. Diplomacy
and, perhaps, to some extent, delt
cacy, have kept contractors from
speaking frankly.
Contractors who have grown
great through successful construc'
ton for private industries are con-
sidered and treated by those inter.
ests as experts in construction anc
as men of affairs. The master-and
servant relationship has disappeared
and in its place has grown some
thing akin to the relationship O
partners in mutual enterprise. A
certain fexibility is a tacitly recog
nized factor of any formal agree
ment into which owner and contrac
tor may enter. Cognizance is giver
by both to possibilities which may
readily arise and which may change
the complexion of an agreement
and both stand prepared to conced'
notifications in prices and require
ments where they are demanded By
fair dealing and mutual justice
Honesty Of intention is conceded
by both parties to the agreement
and meticibus prescriptions to pre-
vent either from overreaching thu
other are largely discarded.
These statements do not pictur'
an imaginary relationship; it exist
in its fullest measure between man.
we'll known contractors and thei
clients. All unusually successful
contractors enjoy this relationship
in great measure. That they do, an,
i that the advantage is real, is evi
denced by the fact that these con
tractors will generally bid lower OF
private than they will on publ
work.
| Stress is laid on this relationship
between the large construction or
ganization and its private-work eli
ents, because it has an importan
bearing on the task of enlisting tn
service of these organizations in tn
road-construction industry. The.
are not greatly attracted by the op
portunity as they appraise it. Som
of the reasons. as given by contrac
tors, can be briefed as follows:
Road constructions has brough
too many hardships upon contract
ing in the past few years. 1t ha
been directed with too little activ
sympathy with the contractors dit
ficulties.
| Too great willingness has bee
shown to take advantage, at the ex
pense of the contractor, of a risin
price and wage market.
The practice of calling for bid
merely to try out the market, wit
no intention of awarding contract.
is too common.
There is too common neglect I
state them when limiting price
will rule.
Too great stress has been lai
upon possibilities of dishonesty.
Bludgeon clauses are too many !
road specifications. Low price
often overshadow contracting eS
perience and financial ability.
Too many road departments hav
attained a reputation for "breal
| ~