The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-22
CIT Y 1T K NJ S.

CITY ITEMS.
"a
TO THE BOARD or COMMISSIONERS or THE
GIRARD TRUST
GENTLEMEN ON october o. 1870, we wrote you
he following letter. or words to this effect to which
I'VE have had no reply y:-"As taxpayers and.for the
public good and interest OF the estate we arc
prompted to ADDRESS you upon subject that we
hoped could have been avoided but sense Of duty
bnd honor compels us to make the following state
nent ON the 22d day OF April, 1870 we were in
Fited to estimate for erecting furnace In dwelling
No. sos Coates street. belonging to the Grard estate.
Previous to our erecting the furnace Mr.. J. Fl.
Kitchener Of the Board OF Trusts, called at our
establishment and made inspection Of our goods, and
pronounced them frstclass, and said that he was
8avorably impressed with the workmanship OF the
anne. The contract was awarded to us from the
TACT that our bid was the lowest and our work and
materials approved as frst-clsss and good as any
bther parties estimating; so stated by Mr.. Gavin,
agent Of the estate.
awe completed the furnace and It was pronounced
b 1rst-class job in every respect. We would be
pleased for your body to visit the same for inspec
= ion. On the 10th day OF May, 1910, Mr.. Gavin,
hgent of the estate called upon US by authority OF
pIr. Michener, inviting Us to make bid and esti-
nate for erecting furnace in dwelling No, 1l06
firard street. owned by the estate, specify
Ing that the furnace to be made OF No. ID iron
plates, and to be rsclass job in every particular,
and assuring us that If our bid was lowest according
! specification, the contract would be awarded
DO us. Mr.. Gavin laid that Mr.. Mchener
horized him to so state According to the specid-
cation and in good faith with Mr.. Michener and Mr..
Gavin, we estimated for the work. Our bid was the
towest being so informed by Mr.. Gavin, agent, but
for some reasons unknown to US Mr.. j. II. Michener
awarded the contract to the highest bidder. We
would state that we manufacture furnace of pre-
cisely the same kind OF metals and on the same
kprinciple as that OF the party who received the
contract, and for less money than they can
HNa ntIFa Fanf in Stnt
which we think a much inferior heater in
comparison to our Russian Furnace We so
stated the fact to Mr.. Michener and Mr. Gavin pre-
vious to our contracting We would ASK in justice
to ourselves ana for the public good and interest to
he Girard estate and as an honorable business
transaction with Mr.. Michener, why we should be
dealt with? We wrote to Mr. Michener in reference
to the matter, but were treated with silence. Now,
inasmuch as Mr. Michener was officiating as what
may be termed public officer, and for the public
good, and as our bid was lowest and having been
invited by him to estimate, and as our time was con-
sumed in making Investigations of iues, etc. OF the
house, we should have been treated with at least
common poteness. We feel satisfied that Mr..
Kitchener would not act he did in his own
Interest, and Taxpayers we do not think he has
Ia right to violate the trust placed in him.
We do not wish to comment further upon
the matter, but will leave you these facts to judge
for yourselves:-since Mr.. Michener specified No.
Ia iron accepted one bid from US, and approved
work, pronouncing 1t first class, and assuring us
hat If bid was lowest that the contract would
he awarded to US, was he not in honor bound to
Htaward us the contract? We cognizant OF the
faci that all contracts given subject to the de.
cision OF the chairman, as he is the Judge OF the
owsst and best bidder. Through Mr. Gavin he has
acknowledged that our bid was the lowest. He also
acknowledged that it was according to specification
and also prove by others that we the best
|bidders Sand that our work will compare in excel
ence and quality, with any establishment in this
country OF Europe. II our work was 1rst-class
lfer No. sos Coates street. and so pronounced by Mr.
Kitchener, why cast bid aside for No 1lO6 Grard
treet, and contract with other parties at a much
advanced price We now have furnaces in use
twenty years, and in perfect condition. We have
been doing work for the estate for the last several
years, and Mr. Gavin, agent for the estate, can tes
tify that work has given general and entire
satisfaction to all concerned. Our frutess efforts
to obtain any satisfaction from Mr.. Michener
prompted us to write to some OF your COM
mittee, for which Mr. Michener took ofense, and
asserted that we should be cut out entirely from
any further business with the estate which threat
he has fully enforced We have not made this state
ment to solicit the work Of the estate, we feel
satisfied that 1t would be useless so long Mr..
Michener is a member OF the Trust; but we do so
for the purpose OF making known a serious evil
existing il the Trust-that OF allowing one member
to control contracts and bids. We have been
informed that the Board OF Trusts knew nothing
of this matter until one OF the members was SO
informed by US. We would most respectfully
invite your committee to visit our works and
inspect our goods, and also inspect work
done by for the estate years ago. and pass
your judgment upon it accordingly. AS good citi-
zens. heavy Taxpayers and desiring the good ofthe
public and interest of the estate have taken the
liberty to occupy your time in this matter. We have
understood that but two parties were invited to
bid upon the contracts just awarded, to the amount
OF several thousand OF dollars for the new row
OF houses Sixth street. below Brown street
NbuIt by the Trust. Did Mr.. Mitchener feal
that had we been invited that would have
been the lowest and the best bidders, and nc
doubt saved the estate some several hundred dol
lars? Mr.. Michener through personal feelings, has
accomplished that which we think is detrimental tC
the public good and interest OF the estate. W.
would most respectfully ask that you now give us
hearing, and a fair investigation OF the above mat
ter trusting thatyou viii take in consideration tina
we, as well as all citizens are interested in tn
welfare OF the Girard Trusts.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servants,
DANIEL MERsHONs SONS,
Northwest corner Twelfth and Fllbert Sts
ur,,r