TOWERS AND TANKS FOR WATER-WORKS. 



requirements intended to govern the construction of a structural 

 steel tower and tank are hereinafter included. Inasmuch as 

 metal, design, and workmanship prescribed are applicable gen- 

 erally as well to such structures as stand-pipes, separate specifi- 

 cations for the latter type will be omitted. 



Municipalities, corporations, or individuals, called upon to 

 perform constructive work of magnitude and importance, seldom 

 undertake its execution, necessarily relying upon skilled mechanics 

 and artisans employed and controlled by individuals of practical 

 and financial ability, who, for adequate consideration, undertake 

 to perform the work required within a stated time. This under- 

 taking is generally expressed in a written instrument of agree- 

 ment known as a contract and the work is performed under 

 the penalty expressed in a bond. 



An essential element of a valid contract is that there be a per- 

 fect and well-defined understanding and mutual consent between 

 the parties. The usual manner of reaching a mutual under- 

 standing, especially when the character of the work contemplated 

 is of considerable magnitude, and its execution requires technical 

 training and experience, is by invitation, public or private solici- 

 tation, as by advertisement for proposals, which negotiations, 

 conducted by municipalities or individuals, carry with them 

 the right of creating completing, and determining a contract 

 through the unreserved acceptance of one of the proposals solicited 

 when made in absolute and unconditional terms. 



Often the requirement of a statute makes the form of invitation 

 or advertisement mandatory; describes what degree of publicity 

 shall be necessary, and in such cases any violation of the legal 

 terms are fatal to the validity of the contract. 



In order that free and fair competition be secured and that 

 favoritism, collusion, combination, and fraud be minimi/ed. 

 statutory acts generally prescribe due notice by advertisement 

 of the intent of the municipality to enter into a contract for a 

 specific purpose; frequently the form of advertisement is ex- 



