Daily Globe

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.

Large Amount of Business Yesterday--City Engineer Picking a Fuss with Hiram Rogers--More of this Model Engineer's Trouble with Contractors.

The regular weekly session of the board of public works was held yesterday morning. President Rice occupied the chair, all the members were present, and The Globe, as usual, was the only journal represented in person.

The reports of the street inspectors, for the week ending March 22, were submitted; P. F. Flynn's showing an expenditure of $171, and N. Schmitz's $153.

THE THIRD STREET HOLE.

A communication was received from the city engineer, stating that the Third street cavity had not been filled by Hiram Rogers according to instructions. The roof of the excavation had not been secured, the ends of the old cellar had not been packed, and while it might last all right for some years, there was a probability of the filling again sinking.

City Attorney Murray said Mr. Rogers had been sick during the filling, and would probably, so Mr. Murray understood, attend to the matter when he got well.

The matter was referred to the Third ward member and the city attorney.

J. E. O'BRIEN HAD FAILED,

so said the city engineer, to fill up the cistern at the corner of Dayton and Farrington avenues, although he had been duly notified to do so, and was bound thereto by the terms of his contract. The city engineer was instructed to have the work performed by the street force, at the expense of the contractor.

SOMEBODY'S FINGER IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S PIE

received illustration in the matter of the grading of Second street by Michael O'Brien under the John Hogan contract. It had been ordered, or understood, under someone's instructions, that a certain filling should be executed by dirt from another contract, but no record of the order existed upon the books of the board. The filling being completed, it was found necessary, by some hocus-pocus, to deduct an amount from the contractor's pile.

On the recommendation of the city attorney, it was ordered to refund $165 to M. O'Brien, on condition of his giving to the council a receipt in full.

ANOTHER, AND WORSE, MUDDLE

was afforded by the Martin Butler contract for the partial grading of Rice street, which created considerable discussion. As narrated by the city attorney, the case was somewhat as follows: The contract had been completed, and an assistant city engineer had so reported it. Then some other city engineer discovered it wasn't completed, whereupon the board of public works had ordered the work finished, and the cost to be deducted from the amount due the contractor. This was done, and the money held back was utilized in the payment of the labor force employed by the city engineer.

But Butler, thus shorn of his expected shin-plasters, was unable to pay his laborers, who still remained unpaid. It was further added that Butler was sick at the time and unable to attend to his contract. The estimate of the city engineer for the continuance of the work was some $50, but, by the time it was completed, the cost had crept well up into the hundreds.

This kettle of fish gave rise to much talkee. City Attorney Murray believed the action of the board had been premature in the premises, but thought such a concatenation of circumstances might hardly occur again. President Rice stated his conviction that the board had acted hastily, and said he was absent from the board at the time. Mr. Timme defended the action of the board.

Mr. Murray submitted a report recommending the city council to refund a certain amount to the contractor, Butler, the amount to be deducted from the ward fund. Mr. Becker congratulated himself that he could wash his hands of the whole business, as he was not on the board at the time, but he thought the laborers should not suffer, and inquired if Butler's bondsmen could not be made to pay. Mr. Murray said they could not. Mr. Becker said it was scarcely right to divert a ward fund in the manner proposed.

The matter was finally disposed of by adopting Mr. Murray's recommendation. The sum to be refunded is $170, with the distinct proviso that it is to be expended in the payment of workmen's wages only, and that Butler must receipt in full.

A LOVE FEAST

was held over the appointment of street inspectors. Mr. Becker moved that James F. Wilson be appointed for upper town. Mr. Timme moved that Nick Schmitz be re-appointed. Mr. Becker moved the matter be deferred, and it was carried. Mr. Becker then moved that James F. Wilson be appointed inspector for lower town. Mr. Timme moved it be laid over, and it was carried. Mr. Becker said he didn't want to dictate between Messrs. Rice and Timme. Mr. Timme pertinaciously stuck to the present incumbents, and it was evident there was a deadly breach all round.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Jacob Miller's sidewalk contract was laid over for one week.

The sidewalk on Robert street in front of Mr. Robert's lots was similarly deferred.

The new matters from the city council were suitably referred or acted upon.

R. L. Gorman submitted his bond of $1,000 for the due performance of his duties as clerk of the board, with C. D. O'Brien and Robert A. Smith, as sureties. Approved and filed.

The board adjourned after an almost two hours' session.