Low Bid
Published Jan 01, 1900
When the British government let out bids for the digging of a tunnel under the English Channel, estimates ran in the millions of pounds. One firm asked only 10,000 pounds, however. "Considering equipment and labor costs", the construction chairman asked the low bidder, "how do you propose to do the job for such a pittance?" "It's simple," the contractor replied. "My partner grabs a shovel, goes to France and starts digging. I take another shovel and start digging from England. We dig until we meet -- and you've got a tunnel!" "But what if you never meet?" "Then you've got TWO tunnels."
Originally published November 14, 2002.
