THE FIRST $1,000,000 



105 



engineers, the necessary reservation for directing the work 

 — a matter so vitally important in park improvements of 

 that character. 



UNDER EI^GINEER's SUPERVISION". 



In the second communication inviting bids, this right of 

 direction by the engineer in charge was noted in the speci- 

 fications and ^%ny work directed by the engineer shonld be 

 included.^' It was also provided that all "tools, machinery, 

 etc., must be satisfactory to the engineer," and that bids 

 should state "upon what percentage of payments actually 

 made to the employes and for materials" the contractor 

 would undertake the work. 



Six bids from all those to whom this communication was 

 sent were received. These were also opened at an executive 

 session of the board. The contract was, on the same day, 

 June 9, 1896, awarded to the Messrs. Shanley, whose bid, all 

 things considered, appeared to be the most favorable. All 

 the commissioners, I believe, concurred in this view, which 

 was also in accord with the recommendations of the chief 

 engineer. As soon, however, as the action became known, 

 there was a "hue and cry" directly. 



Whether right or wrong, the commission was taken se- 

 verely to task, both by some of those whose bids had been 

 rejected and by the press. One of the bidders in a published 

 letter wanted to know : "Are not the books and records of 

 the Park Commission public documents and open to inspec- 

 tion at any reasonable hour ? Are not any moneys expended 

 by the Park Commission under such contract expended con- 

 trary to law, in direct violation of chapter 181, laws of 

 1894?" 



COULD NOT SEE BIDS. 



The writer went on to say that he had "called at the office 

 of the Park Commission and asked to see the twenty-three 

 bids received June 3," and "was informed by the secretary. 



