The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-04
THAT CONTRACT.

meeting OF the committee of Common
Council TO investigate whether Chief Engineer
Graef gave out contract for $55 600 worth of
work without having invited bids was held in
the Clerks of Councils Office, Mr. Mitchell in
the chair. The clerk read this communication,
upon which the investigation is based-
T the Select snS oOn%on Co SSoussil. Of the City Of Phi
add essed communications TO- your honorable body,
Vat
the Of @ Which, an oSsT
an sSpTopTSI Of $oSooO for % an engine and Pump for
further action Of Councils; and the nfOrSation
% bs GRRs lately Issued q the S Sss
to Of So% o his Dssn 4d1
alluded o se page y Of report presented to o9qpos for
respeotfuy request the appointment of c'mmit.ee 70
the IL 6 5 S SOn5HS n5 81 %
direct violation Of the act Of CONSOLIDATION section a. ap
paf@sn' SSSSS ' 1000 S1Ssi S9g a'
n, EOR Il wRSoSo5'bRqHYbF. President,
- -. ,., Office, No. 1916 Buttonwood street.
MIR. Henderson was called, and stated that for a
long time he endeavored TO get city work, but was
always unsuccessful. This Communication was the
third one ne had sent to Councils. The first letter.
by some extraordinary means, never got to the
notice of Councils until ten days after it was sent
and ten days after the engines which he had asked
Councils to see had ceased operations He thought
that he could build a pumping engine well as in
New York, and that he sheuld at least have an op-
portunity to bid for city work. This had not been
allowed him. He believed If possible, the money
collected in the city from taxes, etc should go to
Philadelphia mechanics. There was an act passed
In 1856 to prevent just what he now claimed namely,
giving contract without having asked bids.
The chairman read the section Mr. Henderson
mentioned, which stated that work called for in
The annual estimates should be given out except to
the lowest bidder But in such an extraordinary
case as this, where an Improvement is not covered
by these estimates, the department may give the
contract to the best, though he may not be the
Mr. Henderson-I claim that this contract was
given out without funds having seen appropriated
Mr. Bardsley- A committee authorized this con-
tract to he made with Mr. Worthington for this en-
gine, on the 6tn OF september 1870, and that four
teen days after that award you sent your CON-
muncstion, praying to be awarded the contract for
il incorrect
Mr. Henderson-I would like to have the public
know that is not necessary to publish proposals
to give out work to the lowest bidder in the Water
Department but that the person in power at that
lime may have the privilege to give the contract to
any one he may designate.
Commtteeman-The contract is awarded but
not yet approved.
MI Henderson-Then the contract having not
been concluded, ask to put in my bid for an en-
Mr. Graef Ito the Uhairman)-Can 1 ask Mr.
Henderson question?
Mr.. Mitchell and Mr. Henderson both acquiesced.
Mr. Graef-Mr. Henderson,, have you the right to
manufacture such an engine as you want to supply
the city with?
Mr.. Henderson-Yes, SIR
MIR. Graeff-By what right?
Mr. Henderson-By patent.
Mr. Worthh gton that you infringe on his patent?
Mr.. Henderson-I have not.
Mr. Graef-Mr Worthington can be obtained;
can be produced to prove that.
Mr. Bardsley- Attached to this communication is
the of the President of the Norris Iron Works.
Where are these works located?
Mr.. Henderson Qaughine)-Why, in Norrstown.
your communication is that PHILADELPHIA is ignor-
ing her own mechanics. The Norris Iron Works
being party to this petition, do you think that they
should have the contract any more than Mr. Wor-
thDGton, being also Iyo,, outside SIDE. OF the city?
That be in tn, ir favor.
Mr.. Bardsley-Yes; and the iron and coal Mr..
Worthingon will use in the construction OF his en-
CINE will probably come from this State. Won't
| they?
MIR. Henderson-we yes.
Mr. Bardsley-We have charge made by Mr..
Henderson and the Norris Iron Works that con-
tract was not properly awarded: This is what we
have TO investigate. Now, Mr. Henderson, what do
you allege?
Mr.. Henderson-That there is no contract made.
Mr.. Bardsley-The contract had been awarded but
not approved by Councils. This is your allegation?
Mr. Henderson-Yes and as a consequence the
Mr.. Bardsley-I would like to know where the
"nigger in the wood-pie" is.
award of a contract shall be made with without
the asking Of proposals don't see anything In this
Mr. BaIdsley at this point launched out against the
reporters, stating that there We're many committees
which would like to have their business made pub
lie, and others who did not want the reporters about
This point was very plan but as the gentleman en-
ployed an innuendo where ne might have used re.
| quest, it did not take. He continued
In my humble opinion, the charge made by
| MIR. Henderson and Mr. Wo0drun (of the Norris
Iron Works. has not been sustained. Furthermore,
believe that il Mr. Henderson gets this contract,
he would have the engine built where 1t could be
| done the cheapest.
Mr.. Henderson-In Philadelphia.
Mr. Bardsley-No. / don't believe any man iS 80
whole. soued as to not take his work where he can
have it done cheapest In order to benefit his fellow
citizens. One OF your charges is done away with,
vlz.-That Councils are not obliged to advertise for
proposals.
Mr.. Henderson-Ih have desire, for no personal
benefit, but for the good of all Philadelphia mecha
a
after proposals have been advertised. II this is done
my object will be accomplished
member-I move that we adjourn. see nothing
| to act upon.
The committee then adjourned sine die, and re-
solved that report OF the facts be made 10 Coun'
ellis.
WASH CLoTHEs.-Catharine Walsh, for the
theft and sale of clothing which had been left
with her to be washed, has been sent to prison
by Alderman Lutz. Gatharine halls from Front
and Almond streets.
A PEANUT WoMAN.-Alderman Delaney yes
terday held in $500 bail each Thomas Trott,
Thomas Lecompte and G. Ii. Ruff, who yester
day demolished the apple cart of peanut
woman at Second aud Union streets.
LARCENY OF TooLs.-Alderman Bonsall has
sent to prison John Riley, who yesterday stole
a lot of carpenters tools from the new school
house on Carpenter street, below Tenth.
JEwELRY ET'O.
THE GUARANTEES OF THE GENUINE AND
ORIGINAL
MILTON GOLD JEWELRY COMPANY