Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 September 1901 — Lawful “Enterprise." [ARTICLE]

Lawful “Enterprise."

Sidney W. Curtis, a New York broker, told n story recently, according to the New York Times, of a scheme worked In one of the Western cities lu the early ’Bos for the purpose of giving the contracts for the building of city water works to a favored concern. All the bids had to be submitted before 12 o’clock noon, when the city comptroller’s office was closed aud the representatives of the various bidders were locked out. A little alley led to a rear window of the office, and here api>enrod the agent of the company that was to get the contract by book or by crook, lie had Ills bids all made out except the ilgures. When the bids bad liecn opened nnd the lowest bid lind been found lie received a signal aud filled out bis bid a few cents below that of the lowest bidder. Then ho handed his bid through the window to the clerk, who duly opened it nnd awarded him the contract. Then the doors were opened nnd the waiting representatives were Informed of the result.

Some beaten pßtlis arc too long; cut offs are possible.