The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-01-19
Prange Contractor Suit is
Settled Tuesday After
noon for $4,000.
LET NEW CONTRACT
Van DOeslaar-C evaal Co. With
draws Bid on Sewer and 1t Is
\ Let to Markus Thompson.

An annicable settlement of the suit
for $4,000 started by the city against
Albert F. Prange, Grand Rapids,
Michigan, contractor for alleged fail
ure to live UP to the terms of con-
tract in erecting the large trunk sew
err on the west side of Kenosha was
reached on Tuesday evening when the
city council at an adjourned meeting
accepted an offer of $4,000 in settle
ment of the suit. Contractor Prange
through his attorney agreed to pay this
amount to the city in the event that
the Kennedy bond, one of the elements
in the suit, was assigned to him. He
also agreed to sign a release of claims
which he made approximating S27,OOO
for the cancellation Of a street paving
contract which he had with the city.
Had New Proposal.
When the council met Tuesday aft
ernoon at four o'clock Attorney Ewing
who had presented $1,000 on Monday
evening as the best that his client
would do, declared that he had gone
over his figures and was able to make
little better offer. In presenting his
new proposition he declared that re-
vised estimate of the losses Of Mr..
Prance due to t.& Cs - No.. s9F ths
paving contracts showed that they to-
tailed more than $4,000. He declared
that using this as basis and in or
der to close up the deal, his client
would raise his offer to $4,000 if the
city would make a settlement which
balanced the amount of the claim so
that he might proceed to collect on the
Kennedy bond. He also suggested
that, if the city desired, they would
make an assignment of the $4,000
Kennedy bond as complete settlement
of the claim.
Upon the advice of former City At
torney Slater, the council refused to
consider the last proposal, combining
their deliberations to the $4,000 plan
suggested. There was ont hour and a
half discussion when finally an appeal
to City Engineer Brennan set $4,000
as q reasonable figure so far as the
city was, concerned and Prange re-
sponded by Offering to "split the diff
ference" and pay $4,000 to the city,
$4,000 in cash and the remainder with
in sixty days,
This was finally accepted by vote
of fifteen ayes and one nay, Alderman
Donahue alone dissenting.
Relet Allendale Bid.
The special meeting also disposed of
the critical situation which had arisen
in regard to the new Allendale sewer
when they relet the contract to Markus
Thompson, a Kenosha contractor for
S45,2O6. Last week the contract was
awarded to the Van Doeslaar- Cevaal
Company Of Sheboygan for some $780,
900. On Tuesday Mayor Joachim read
to the council a letter from Jacob
Van Doeslaar, president of that COM
pany. in which he stated that he had
made further investigation, had found
that the ground was quicksand and
for that reason he wished to withdraw
his bid. 1t was suggested that the
contract he let to the next highest
bidder.
To Employ KenOsha Men.
The council, all ready little dubious
over the $4,000 bid, readily acquiesced
in the request and accordingly voted to
let the contract to Thompson, who
will start work within two weeks. The
new contractor will use Kenosha labor
exclusively. He is thoroughly equip
ped for the work and with material
on hand will be ready to push the
contract to an early completion.