Why Tacoma’s Small Contractors Are Being Shut Out

What's the matter with Tacoma contractors? Are they so wealthy they don't need any more work this season? Are they afraid the smelter smoke would injure their complexions? These and other queries were made by North End people when it became known that Tacoma contractors had refused to bid on a $50,000 sidewalk job in that part of the city. Inquiry among the contractors brings the information that they are not afraid of the smelter smoke; neither are all of them so well supplied with this world's goods that they don't need any more work. The difficulty appears to be that a big blunder was made when so much work was put in one district. Probably three firms in the city can handle a $50,000 contract, and they now have as much work on hand as can be completed before the wet season commences. There are a number of individuals and contracting firms of small means who would like to get a share of this work, but they cannot get the capital to handle it. Consequently, they are crowded out and must see the work wait until the big fellows get ready to come along and take it at a good figure. It is pointed out that if the North End district had been divided into four, there would have been a number of bids received. Commissioner Welsh admits that the district is too large and says that no more sidewalk districts will be made where the cost of the new work will exceed $25,000.