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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 26, 1904)
13 THE MORNING OREGONIAN, MOOT AY, DECEMBER 26, 1901. Bridge Extras Not Over charged, Says Butler. FIGURES OF CONTRACTOR Denies Graft in Stringers and Wood Blocks. ANSWER BIHLER AND HOWELL Declares Cost of Additions to Be on Same Basis as That of the Other Parts of the Structure. The "extras" for Morrison bridge are bringing the Pacific Construction Com pany no jnoro than a fair profit, says F. M. Butler, manager of the company. Mr. Butler announced yesterday, In an Interview for Tho Oregon! an, that his company -would not have added the "ex tras" for less money than it contracted with tho city to receive. "Within ten days the bridge -will bo open permanently for street-car traffic, nnd "within two weeks for all kinds of travel. Charles 8. Bihler, expert engineer, "who "was retained to examine the bridge by the special Invest! eating committee of the Council and the Executive Committee of the Taxpayers' League, reported last week that tho Pacific Construction Corn pan) was- making- $15,000 more than a fair profit on the steol stringers which "were substituted for wood in a subsequent contract. George H. Howell, member of tho Executive Board, declared to that body last Friday, In a written communi cation, that the company was making out of the "extras" more than $30,000 profits, to which it is not entitled, $22,833 out of tho steel stringers, and $3000 out of the -wooden block wearing surface of the floor. Mr. Butler would eay little in answer to Mr. Howoll's allegations further than to submit an arithmetical comparison be tween the cost of the treated block floor and what the cost would have been of the oak plans; floor. The comparison showed for his company that the wooden blocks represented, not a gain of $3000, but a loss of $2155.37. Says Engineer Was Mistaken. As to Mr. BIhler's report of the $15,000 excessive protlt on the steel girders, Mr. Butler said that the engineer was "mis taken in his assumed figures." The company, said Mr. Butler, would not have put in the steol girders for the price -which Mr. Bihler named for a fair profit. The actual weight of steel in the stringers, according to Mr. But ler, "'was considerably In excess of that assumed by him," and "we paid a higher price than he shows." If the stringers had been Included In the orig inal contract, Mr. Butler affirmed that his company would not have bid a lower pvlce than the city is paying. As things are now, ho averred, the price for the stringers is the same as the average price for the other steel in the struct ure, "less the cost of the material dis carded." meaning thereby the value of tno Glscarded wooden stringers. The steel stringers would yield a profit, tes tified Mr. Butler, but "materially less than is shown by Mr. Bihler." Not for a less price, declared he, would his com pany have undertaken tho contract for the stringers. In the original contract it was stipu lated that compensation for changes from the specifications would be the cost of additional materials and labor, plus 25 s per cent thereof, "for superintend ence and use of machinery and utensils." Mr. Howell and others have said that tho "extras" should have been added by tho contracting' company and paid for by the city according to that stipulation, and that the contracts "which the city entered into for them with the Pacific Construction Company are illegal. Baiteve "Extras" Are Legal. But Mr. Butler avers that his company satisfied itself at the time that tho addi tional contracts were entirely legal, and is yet sure of it. He also insists that the 15 per cent clause was for simple addi tions and alterations, and not for big changes from the specifications, such as -wero contained in the additional con tracts. Ho contends that the only con sistent and proper way to secure the "extras" was by contracts "with, his com pany, since other contractors could not be tolerated, because they -would neces sarily bo in the way of his own com panv. In short, Mr. Butler contends that his company Is doing an "honest job," and that the work is up to requirements in all details. Mr. Butler spoke of Mr. Bihler as "a competent and honest engineer." "But," said he, "we know he is in er ror in his opinion of the extras and especially in his assumed figures on the etcel stringers. It is certain that we could not have been required nor even expected to undertake an addition of the magnitude on any such basis as that on "which he bases his figures. "To the net cost of any part of a bridge must always be added incidental and contingent expenses. Had we agreed to do this particular extra work at Mr. BIhler's cost, plus 15 per cent, we should have suffered an actual loss. We would never havo consented to any such ar rangement. "The 15 per cent clauso of our contract has been persistently misquoted," went on Mr. Butlor. "Let me quote it cor rectly." and forthwith he read-from the contract the following clause: -Work necessary to be done and ordered by the Executive Board or the City Engineer of the City of Portland, not Included in this contract, end not otherwise agreed upon, shall be per formed by the contractors and paid for at actu&l cost of the material and labor, and the additional amount of IS per cent thereon for superintendence and usa of machinery .and utensil. "Tho city authorities," continued Mr. Butler, "wrote this contract. The specific statement, 'not otherwise agreed upon,' clearly shows the intension to provide a means under which extras or additions of magnitude woro to be considered and pro vided for. Tho general 15 per cent' pro vision "was simply to protect the city and contractor on smaller additions or claims not especially agreed upon in the contract. "Our price for the steel stringers is the same as the average price for the rest of the steel In the bridge less the cost of the material discarded. Under no circumstances would we have- under taken this change on any other basis or for any loss price. Profits Are Less Than Reported. "We expect of course to make a profit on this addition, but it is a fact that the amount of profit will be very materially less than is shown by Mr. Bihler. We may say further that the ac tual weight of the stringers furnished was considerably in excess of that as sumed by him and -we paid a much higher price than he shows. "If these stringers had been included in our original estimate we would cer tainly have figured them on the basis of our present price. We were certainly en titled to as much for them as an extra as we would have received In sharp com petition. "The stringers and the other extras are said to be Improvements arid not necessi ties. This depends entirely on the point of view." Mr. Butler said that, when the bridge was designed and estimates were made the city authorities had grave doubts as to the possibility of being able to get bids for the bridge within the funds tvallable. Therofore, In order to keep the cost down to the money available the parts afterward added were omitted. After the Pacific Construction Company's bid of $331,313 was accepted," added Mr. Butler, "it became evident that the steel stringers and the other additions could be included. No doubt," said he, "the value and the life of the structure have been materially increased thereby." "If this argument is sound that steel stringers are not necessary." went on Mr. Butler, "why did the city desire a steel bridge at all? Why didn't it build a cheap wooden structure like the Madison street bridge?" Mr. Howell Answered. Adverting to the allegations of George H. Howell, member of the Executive Board, who avers that the company is SECRETARY REED'S STATEMENT. The statement of Henry E. Hoed, secretary of the Lewis aad Clark Ex position Corporation that the enterprise of holding the big Fair In Portland next year would involve a total Investment In excess of $25,000,000, s statement published for the first time In jedtcrday's CTreconian, has attracted much pop ular interest. The Exposition will be opened on Juno 1 next. The ew Tear's Orcgonlan for 1905 will contain illustrations of every bull dine that wiU grace the grounds of the Fair slto. Tho paper will be mailed to any address in the United States or Canada, postage prepaid, for 10 cents. Address The Ore gonlan, Portland, Or. making $30,000 profit from the extras, Mr. Butler eald: "Concerning Mr. Howell's nightmare we have little desire to make remarks. He has evidently been Imposed upon by some busy flgurer. In proof here are some facts concerning the floor." Thereupon Mr. Butler produced the following from the specifications as to the floor of tho bridge: Floor of the roadway of the bridce must be seven Inches in total thickness, wearing sur faces of oak coorlnr or wood blocks treated with approved preservative, etc , Floor as now laid 22,400 square feet of blocks - $4,877.77 (We are nslnr four-Inch blocks, with a inch floor underneath, making the floor one half Inch thicker than specified.) Oak floor as it would have been laid 22,400 square feet oak. three-Inches thick, with four-Inch subfloor. 07,200 feet of oak, at $36.. $2,410.20 Laying and nails, say, 07,200 feet, at $6.00 . 403.20 Total .. $2,822.40 Excess cost of blocks 2.155.37 "Mr. Howell is quoted as saying that we make a profit of $3000 on changing from oak plank to treated blocks. The fact is plain that we had no voice whatever In this matter; that the city had the option of using either oak planks for floor or blocks; we had to furnish blocks. We sus tained considerable loss in tho change from the cost of tho oak to that of the blocks. "We are prepared to prove that we had a responsible bid for this oak flooring of $36 per thousand. "Using the price $2 per square yard, which -we believe is the low est price for which the city has ever laid treated brocks, as a basis for compari son, here is an exhibit for Mr. Howell." Thereupon Mr. Butler took out his pen cil and indited the following: "Thus," -went on Mr. Butler, without considering the fact that we are making a 7-Inch floor instead of seven-inch, "there is an actual loss to us by this se lection as against the other of $2155.a7 Instead of ,a gain of $3000. This ought to convince Mr. Howell that he is mis taken." City Gets a Good Bridge. Mr. Butler remarked that Mr. BIhler's report showed the city was getting a good bridge and that his company is performing: the contract faithfully. Said he: "We have no apology to make for anything: we have done here and we think that criticisms of our work or prices are unwarranted. We know that wo have done an honest job and that the work is fully up to requirements in all its details. "We also feel that, under the exist ing circumstances, when we have had to care for traffic and navigation, and in the latter td meet the unexpectedly se vere requirements of the United States Government authorities, we have han dled the work with as little inconven ience to the public as could possibly be expected. Though the bridge is not completed just on time, we hope the public will appreciate the difficulties we have had to contend with and not be impatient at the present slight delay, for this bridge will have been completed in about half the time It took to. build the smaller Burnslde bridge. "There need be no fear that we will make undue profit on the contract, and there can be no question as to the legal ity of the proceedings in awarding us the original contract and the additions thereto, and we will require full pay ment for the same as agreed." HYMNS IK INDIA. Bishop J. M. Thoburn Talks to Junior Epworth League. A large gathering of the Junior Epworth Leagues was held yesterday afternoon in the Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. L. E. Rockwell led the meeting and talked to the young people briefly, and Mrs. C. R. Thoburn, superin tendent of the Junior League, furnished the music Bishop J. M. Thoburn, of India, gave the children a pleasing talk. Among other things he said that when he first went to India he heard only two boys singing familiar hymns In their na tive tongue. That 'was over 40 years ago, and now where there were but two boys singing the Gospel hymns, there were at present more than 50,000 children chant ing the praises of the Redeemer. Bishop Thoburn expressed great pleasure at see ing so many children present in so good a cause. It Li the Intention to hold other mass meetings of the Juniors of the city. SELLWOOD AFTER LIBRARY. Association Will Be Formed" at Pres byterian Church Tuesday. There will beva mass meeting of the people of Sellwood on next Wednesday evening. In the Sellwood Presbyterian Church, to take steps toward the organ ization of a library association in that suburb. Rev. D. P. Thompson, pastor, hopes to effect the establishment of a library and reading-room. A building has been secured on Uma tilla avenue, across the street from the Sellwood public school and the mass meeting will lay plans and provide means for maintaining the library on this site. All are invited to co-operate In the move ment. Several prominent speakers will address the meeting. Early Memories. Atchison Globe. The neighbors are very indignant at a Isorth Atchison woman who spanked her baby when it was. three months old. Still, years ago they used to begin even younger. We can remember when we got lantsea wnen we were six weeKs old. SOON TO GQNVENE Legislature. Will Meet in Two Weeks More. WHO THE LEGISLATORS ARE Farmers Exceed in Lower House, While Lawyers Are Majority in Senate Lawmakers and Their Vocations. The Oregon Legislature will convene two weeks from today In regular bien nial session, and -will make laws -during a period of 40 days and 40 nights, unless earlier adjourned. It will number 30 members In the Senate and 60 In the House. . Lawyers will predominate In the Sen ate and farmers in the House of Rep- resentatives, for, although 17 tillers of the soil will sit In the lower chamber, but two will grace the upper body. The science of medicine and surgery will be represented relatively stronger In the Senate than in the House, for the upper branch will have four members of the "sawbones" profession against the lower body's two. But lumbermen, like the farmers, will be much stronger, in the House than in the Senate. Vocations of Legislators. Tho business pursuits of the Legislat ors are as follows: Senate. House. Lawyers ... ................ 8 0 Bankers ... ........ 2 3 Farmers ...... ............... - 17 Physicians 4 2 Merchants .................. 4 7 Printers . 1 2 Druggists 1 2 Hop dealers 1 0 Lumbermen .......... -....:. 1 G Real estate dealers ..........1 1 Sicaxnboatroen ...... a 1 2 Stockraiscrs 1 - 4 Wool buyers 1 0 Dentists 1 0 Manufacturers 0 2 Fruit canners .. 0 1 Insurance men .............. 0-- 1 Miners 0 1 Fishermen 0 1 Who Are In the Senate. In the Senate the classification is as follows: Farmers 3. M. Crolsan, of Marion; Peter McDonald, of Union and Wallowa, Lawyers O. P. Coshow, of Douglas; George C. Brownell, of Clackamas; Dan J. Malarkey, of Multnomah; F. P. Mays, of Multnomah: Jnv Bowerman of Gilliam. Sherman and Wheeler; W. M Pierce, of Umatilla, Morrow and Union; John L. Rand, of Baker, Harney and Malheur; J. S. Coke, of Coos and Curry. Bankers B. V. Carter, of Jackson; E. W. Haines, of Washington. . Physicians C. J. Smith, of Umatilla; Jay Tuttle. of Clatsop. Merchants W. H. HoDson, of Marlon and Linn; W. A Howe, of Yamhill; a W Nottingham of Multnomah; Slg SIchel, of Multnomah. Printer C W. Hodson, of Multnomah. Druggist M. A. Miller, of Linn. HopdealerVSqulre Farrar, of Marlon. Lumberman R. A Booth, of Lane, Jo sephine and Douglas. Real estate dealer N. Whealdon, of Wasco. Steamboatman Herbert Holman, of Multnomah. .Stockraiser J. A. Laycock, of Grant, Crook, Klamath and Lake. Woolbuyer P. Avery, of Benton. Dentist-G. S. Wright, of Yamhill. TIHa moook and Lincoln. List of Representatives. In the House the classification is: Farmers J. L. Calvert of Marion, John S. Richie of Marlon, F. D. Cornett of Linn, L A. Munkers of Linn, L N. Ed wards of Lane, D. H. Jackson of Jack son. H. Von Der Hellen of Jackson, "V. A. Carter of Benton, F. H. Fawk of Polk, W. T. West of Tillamook, Yamhill, M. S. Barnes of Washington, A B. Flint of Washington, W. K. Newell of Washing ton, J. N. Bramhall of Washington, Frank Jagger of Clackamas, C. C. Kuney of Wheeler, Sherman and Gilliam, and J. N. Burgess of Wasco. Merchants J. G. Graham of Marion, G. W. Griffin of Lane, J. S. Gray of Douglas, H. G. Sonnemann of Douglas, S. B. Hermann' of Coos, J. N. Laws of Clatsop and J. V. Burns of Clatsop. Lawyers R. G. Smith, of Josephine; W. L Vawter, of Jackson and Douglas: S. B. Lhur-cum. of Multnomah; W. T. Muir, or MuUnomah; N. C. McLeori, of "Union; A. A. Jam-, of Wasco. Banker J. S. Cooper, of P"ik and Lin coln; J. H. Settlemlor, of Mirion; A. L. Mills, of Multnomah. Piiyp'clane R. E. L. Steiner of Lake, Klamath, Grant and Crook: W. G. Cole, of Umatilla. Lumbermen I. H. Bingham, of Lane; B. C. Miles, of Yamhill; B. IS Colwell. of MuHromah; M. F. Henderson, of Mult nomnh; W. R. Hudson, of Multnomah; George J. Maygor, of Columbia. Printers A B. Cavender. of Linn; A A Bailey, of Multnomah. Manufacturers T. B. Kay, of Marion; b. .u. vicars, of Multnomah. Fisherman Robert Burns, of Clatsop. Druggists F. H. Caldwell, of Yamhill; C. G. Huntley, of Clackamas. Fruit canner George W. Holcomb, Jr., of Multnomah. Insurance A J. Capron, of Multnomah. Steamboatmen Captain T. H. Crang, of Multnomah; Madison Welch, of Multno mah. Stockraiscrs John S. Shark, of Klam ath Lake, Crook and Grant; Jay H. Dob bin, of Wallowa and Union; J. L. Stitz. of Malheur, Harney and Gilliam; R. N. Don nelly, of Wheeler, Sherman and Gilliam. Real estate dealer W. M. Killings worth, of Multnomah. Miner A P. Smith, of Baker. Northwestern People in New York. NEW YORK, Dec 25. Northwestern people registered at New York hotels today as follows: From Portland A. B. Scott, H. R. Falling. J. R. Bowles, at the Imperial J. R. Peck at the Park Avenue; William Wood at the Hotel Astor; Miss E. M. Cadwell. Mrs. C Burkhardt at the Her ald -Sauare. From North Yakima, Wash. A W. Hertzken at the Herald Square. Spokane J. Scott at the Imperial. Seattle William Breslin, H. Webb and wife. Born Lucky. Atchison Globe. A very fortunate Atchison girl was once engaged to a man whose last name began with-1, but the engagement was broken. She recently became engaged to a man whose last name begins with "L," and finds that by putting a tall on the letter on her linen, it will suit the new conditions- He Carried Liquid Cargo JACQUES LABEAUDEAX, a seafarer hailing from some "square-rigger" flying the "tricolor" from its gafr, Is incarcerated In the City Jail. He had called at way ports and taken a full cargo In the hold of his human cosalr. With a slight list to star board, he luffed and set a course for a beer sign two points oil the port bow. The wind failed him, and from his "tack" fellow pedestrians thought that some lubber had monkeyed with the binnacle, or that the gyrating French man had lost his sextant over the stern. While making for any old port to the chant of "Boney Was No Corslcan," Labeaudeax was sighted by the "2'B" duo. Officers Baty and Burke (not a comedy sketch team), who let out their flying jibs and topgallants for a stern chase. The Frenchman sighted them a point oft the starboard quarter, lay two, worked around, brought his port bow to bear on the enemy and opened fire with a most delightful collection of blasphemous expletives. The enemy gave "him a couple of broadsides and boarded him. He is now interested. In a copy of "Reflections for the Morn ing After," which he persistently per uses In his bunk In the jail foc'tsle. WILLIAM SEYMOUR, a farm labor er, who claims that "Bob" Pat terson induced him to deposit "30 slmoleons" at the "Favorite" saloon, and then refused to liquidate, applied at the Portland municipal hotel last night for lodging, and was tendered many courtesies by Captain Moore's very able corps of assistants. ALBERT P. CHATIVAT, an Algerian "lumberjack" who arrived last night from the "tall timbers," was also a guest of the city, engaging one of the magnificently appointed suites at the gaol. Chativat is a most interesting chap, who says he is 21 years of age, but carries enough whiskers on the under side of his law to xnalca him The Meier (8h Frank Store Portland's Largest and Best Store Tomorrow, Tuesday, Bee, 2?th Great Annual Clearance Sale Every Article Greatly Reduced Tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock, the great Clearance Sale starts on its annual journey distributing right and left high-grade mer chandise of every description at wholesale prices Really the most important store event of the business year inasmuch as every ar- ticle in the establishment Is included Wearing apparel for women, men and children as well as everything in household effects can be bought at a saving every economical person will appreciate The greatest stocks, the greatest assortments for your choosing A million dollars' worth of desirable Dry Goods, Clothing, Cloaks, Millinery, Shoes, Crockery, Silverware, Carpets, Books, Silks, Dress Goods, Linens, Domestics, Etc. Remember the "White Fair," 50,000 pieces of new Undermuslins at Clearance Sale prices The Main Substation of U. S. Postoffice in Rear of the Main Floor Portland Agents for Butterick Patterns and Publications Custom Shade and Drapery Work Our Specialty Third Floor Artistic Picture-Framing to Your Order; Lowest Prices Portland Agents for Perrins' Gloves and La Grecque Corsets look at least 40 years old. He writes and excellent hand, and speaks Eng lish fluently. From a perusal of a diary he keeps, the sturdy young Al gerian has been blessed with better educational advantages than most Americans of the same age. The first part of the diary Is In well-written Greek. In English he has chronicled his mcanderlngs from place to place, hundreds of cities, towns and hamlets In the United States and Canada being mentioned. There Is hardly a city that he has not seen, and the present finan cial embarrassment of the erudite young foreigner Is probably due to his roving disposition. ILLIAM BURNS was brought to the police station last' night, and told a wild story about being held up and robbed. He was making himself obnoxious on the fore end of a street car when the motorman requested that he be arrested. When the officer phoned for Chief Hunt's "trap and two" he realized that he was being ar rested, and suddenly remembered that two men on the car had robbed him. When brought to the station, 'Burns felt the humiliation of his incarcera tion keenly, and after consigning all souls present to regions of eternal warmth, he .shed tears. His was a sad Christmas. ITALIAN STABBED IN BRAWL. Rosarie Destito Slashed Three Times During a Fight. Rosarlo Destito, an Italian, was stabbed three times In a brawl In the saloon of Not Costance, at First and Clay streets,, last night at 9:20 o'clock. The cuts are not In any Instance, It'is thought, serious. One penetrated the left side near the heart, and while it was an ugly wound. It is believed he will recover. He was taken to the good Samaritan' Hospital for treat ment. Two Italians who were present when the deed was done were arrested and held as witnesses. G. Destito, a half brother of the Injured man, was one of the Italians detained by the police. WORTH ALL IT COSTS. Washington Should Make an Ade quate Exhibit. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Tho Washington State Commission to the Lewis and Clark Exposition will rec ommend an appropriation of 573,000 to be made by the Washington Legislature for the purpose of having this state properly represented at the Fair. The Legislature of Washington will be fully justified In making an ample ap propriation for this purpose, and each county In the state would do well to fur ther supplement It. Washington by all means should make a showing at tho Exposition greater and "better than that of any other state in the Union save Oregon, for It will mean more to Wash ington than to any other state. Washington is part of the old Oregon country, the title to which was vested In the United States by original discovery, exploration and occupancy, to which title Lewis and Clark contributed in very large degree. It is but an incident that the Exposition held to commemorate the Lewis and Clark expedition 13 held In Portland rather than In one of the newer cities which have grown up on this side of the Columbia River. The Exposition promises to be visited by many thousands of people from the East: a very large share of whom will likewise visit this state. A showing of the immense variety of the resources of Washington will count very largely to wart attracting attention to this state and toward bringing here the immigrants for whom there is still an abundance of room. The showing which Washington makes at the Exposition will be worth all It costs and much more, no mattor how liberal the scale of expenditures adopted for the purpose. The Legislature will jnake no mistake In being liberal' In this matter. Time for Jackson County to Act. Jacksonville Times. What are the people of this county going to do about an exhibit for the Lewis and Clark Fair. We are paying a largo sum of money for this Expos! tlon, and are we going to derive any benefit from it? If we do, we will have to make a good exhibit and suitably ad vertise the county. Now Is the time to begin to think about this and prepare for it. It wilL onlv be a few months until tho Fair Is open, and we should be ready by that time. Legal Jollying. Atchison Globe. A man is usually a little timid about encacimr In a lawsuit, but he feels bet- siiiu guys linyeriuuaii . xicre a wuuru w skin him." 231 WASHINGTON ST. PORTLAND OREGON. MAKER OF MENS CLOTHES J -A A7 - -V