The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-06-23
ALL-BLACKTOP
HIGHWAY BIDS
RULED ILLEGAL
Leslie Orders Competition
Be Maintained for
State Projects.
CEMENT PRICES LOWER
Law Specific That Three
Types of Materials
Be Considered.
By DANIEL M. KIDNEY

a mileage she money"
program OF highway construction is
under way In Indiana today, backed
by a public announcement of COM
petitlve policy by Governor Harry
O. Leslie and the new personnel of
the state highway commission.
The latter merely means COM
mission minus Jess Murden, Peru,
whose place has been taken by Ar
thur Sapp, Huntington.
Murdeh was the stickler for the
summer program of putting out
specifications Of three paving types,
all Of blacktop. That program is
halted now and Leslie has declared
that 1t never will be repeated.
Announcement of this Leslie ad-
ninistration highway construction
policy was made by the Governor
himself Monday afternoon when a
large delegation from Greenfield
called to urge immediate construc-
ton of the National road project
there.
Insisted on BIacktop
Mayor Arthur G. Downing of
Greenfield, who headed the delega-
ton, as insistent that the work not
only be done promptly, but that con-
Btruction be of blacktop as adver-
tised.
Here was where the Governor OBJ
jected and announced his new pol
icy.
Three types of paving, all as
phaltic, Is not in keeping with the
highway law governing the recep-
ton of competitive bids" Governor
Leslie told the mayor and his dele
cation.
I'VE have an opinion from the
attorney general setting out that
three types, under the law, mean
brick, cement and blacktop. There
must be open competition and we
intend to maintain it.
'Damnable Nuisance"
I'm not interested in this cement
and blacktop material fight. 1t Is
a damnable nuisance both in this
and other states, and I believe that
many worthwhile projects are
blocked because this material or
that material interest didn't get in
on the pie.
But our highway law Is clear on
the point that actual competition
must be maintained"
State highway department Off
Gals today received bids on blacktop
for three state road projects, but
said they probably would not let
contracts.
Cites Litigation
However, A. H. Hinkle, mainte-
nance chief, did not mention Leslie's
ultimatum as the cause for the con-
tract delay, but stated that the con-
tracts would not be let because Of
litigation on the subject now pend
ing in FIT. Wayne.
Low bidders on the projects: State
Road 30, 1916 miles. Versailles to
Madison, Hayes Construction Com
pany. $l65,15907; State Road 60,
3.39 miles south of New Harmony,
Robinson, Gregory, Hart g. Hart,
s25,58642, and State Road 8, VOL
cottville, 2.73 miles, N. B. Putnam
Company, $19,956
The Greenfield project, which is
70 widen United States Road 40 to
thirty feet for approximately eight
miles between Greenfield and Cum
berland, was one of those advertised
as three typeS-blacktop, blacktop
and blacktop.
Leslie intimated that if the black
top prices came down, it also might
be an aid In getting more business.
They have dropped some, accord
Ing to the maintenance division of
the state highway department, but
a tabulation of comparative prices
was not available Immediately.
Backed by c. of c.
Harry Marshall, a blacktop pro-
noter. was in the outer Office.
while the delegation called on the
Governor. He declared he knew
nothing of the move. Mayor Down
ing said the trip was financed by
the Greenfield Chamber Of Com
merce. 1t was made in interurban
cars.
Downing told the Governor that
he had appeared before the state
highway commission to push the
blacktop project, but his chances
were lessened now with Murden
leaving
He also said "a man named Mil
Ter" came to him to urge the con-
struction be Of cement and criti-
cised the highway commissions
conduct.
Lawrence Miller is district repre-
sentative of the Portland Cement
Association.
Cement now is the lowest in price
in a decade, a tabulation made by
the construction division of the
state highway department shows.
The figures give the base prices
since 1922, which range from SITS
70 Sl.e0 per barrel until 1880 wher
the drop commenced.
Prices in Tumble
The 1880 base prices were $3.50
and $l4o, but later fell to new
low of $l.35 and $3.50. The 1881
original bases we're 90 cents, 81 and
Si1s, but since has slumped to as
; low as SO cents per barrel sacked,
and 10 cents less than this in bulk.
It is this new low price which
will make the increased mileage for
the money possible, the officials
point out.
The price drop In cement also is
reflected in general construction
) costs, records OF William j. Titus,
chief engineer of the department.
diScloses.
Csvalryman, So, Dies
By United Press
SULLIVAN. Ind, June 23.-John