Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-07-07
A FRAUD EXPOSED.
HOW CONTRACTS ARE LET FOR
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Lively Session of the City Board of
Education-Two Sets of
Specifications.


will please call meeting of the Board of
Education this tMonday) evening, July G.,
1885, at s o'clock. Matters pertaining
TO the letting of the contract of the new
building, south side of P, between Ninth
and Tenth streets, in this city, and the
superintendency of the same, is the object
of the meeting"
In pursuance to that order, meeting
was called, which met last evening as re-
quested. Present-Directors Davis, Slater,
Conklin, Chadderdon, Avery and Stevens.
Absent-Director Petrie. The Chairman of
the meeting read the roll
Mr.. Alsip-A few days ago the Building
and Repair Committee, of which Mr.. Avery
is Chairman, and myself and Mr.. Stevens,
members, opposed taking charge of the
construction of the proposed new school
building We preferred at that time to
leave it to an architect Since then we
have ascertained that the law upon that
point is imperative; that the Building and
Repair Committee shall superintend, with
out compensation all such work Mr..
Avery and myself have consulted with the
architect, Mr.. Seadler, upon this point,
made known to him the state of ia ctS, and
he has decided that our Interpretation OF
the matter is correct. He will furnish the
plans and specifications. draw the details
and arrange with the Building and Rel air
Committee for his salary, and they will go
on and superintend the construction.
Mr.. Observation-Disclosures does Mr. Scadler
come in?
Mr.. Seadler-I don't desire to oppose any
of your rules or laws. l want the Building
and Repair Committee to proceed legally.
| will do as stated | could step out now,
but will continue and see that good build
ing is finished. 1t is a matter of honor
with me. My charge for the work outlined
will be % per cent.
Mr.. Conklin-I was not aware that the
architect took away from the Building and
Repair Committee any of their rights and
powers. | considered that it was their
duty to look after this matter.
Mr.. Chadderdon-DoeS Mr.. Seadler in
tend by this means to be released from all
responsibility?
Mr.. Seadler-I would not be responsible
for anything contrary to my details.
Mr. Davis-The contract with Carrie 4
Croly was signed to-day and the bond
given. The contract was drawn up by Mr.
Seadler
Mr.. Avery-There are two sets of specif-
cations for that building-an original and
what is purported to be copy. They
differ materially Mr.. President, that is
why this meeting was called tonight.
Several contractors figured on one set. and
only one firm on the other. They differ
as to the size of timber to be used.
Mr.. Seadler-Mr. Avery is not acting
right in making that statement. He is
taking advantage of his position.
Mr. Avery-And you promised Mr.. Alsip
and | that you would not have the contract
and bond signed.
Mr.. Seadler-I did not.
Mr.. Avery and Mr.. Alsip lin one voice.
You did.
Mr.. Avery-There is no use in making
such q denial We satisfied you that there
were two sets Of specification, different in
certain particulars, and that both had been
figured upon.
Mr.. Conklin-If there is a contract and
bond signed, to which of the specifications
do they refer? Are they the ones that
the unsuccessful contractors based their
bids upon?
Mr.. Seadler-The contract is so written
that the Building Committee can substitute
either They have entire charge.
Mr.. Alsip-Mr President, we all have a
fellow feeling for human beings, and we
were willing, if possible, that this matter
should be fixed up without trouble. How
ever, it is the most serious matter | ever
had anything to do with. 1t was for your
benefit, Mr.. Seadler, that we pursued this
course. We explained to you your
blunder and mistake, and apprised you of
what would be the inevitable result. We
told YOU on yesterday we did not
want the contract signed to-day We
told you the same thing this morning.
We informed you that we had not fully
made up our minds. Suppose the con-
struction of this building had gone on as
you had changed those specifications. The
unsuccessful contractors would have come
around, saw the small timbers being used
smaller than they were required TO figure
on. and what would have been the conse-
ouence? 1t was to save you that we did
this. You have gone ahead, disregarded
your instructions, drawn UP and had signed
the contract in violation of your pledges,
and we will not hold ourselves responsible
for the consequences.
Mr.. Seadler-Mr. Croly came to me at
p. NJ. to get the contract. | did not ask him
if he had seen YOU until after it was signed.
| was between two fires. The Building
Committee said to do one thing, the Board
of Education had instructed me to do an
other.
Mr.. Chadderon-Whered did those two sets
Of specifications originate? They never
have been before US.
Mr.. Scadler-If they had been in my
possession they would have been signed at
the time the contract was.
Mr.. Avery-Did you ever ask me for
them?
Mr.. Seadler-I don't remember whether
7 i
have been told ii was criminal. | say not.
This thing is done in almost all public
Jobs. | have tried several contractors in
this town, and | have had no end of
trouble. Ny mistake is perhaps in not
consulting the Board. | gave one set to
all except Carrie & Croly They wanted
the JOB and | wanted to give it to them.
They had the inside track on certain items,
amounting to 800 or $500. A few things
in few timbers. They would have made
a good strong building. They were several
hundred dollars cheaper than the other
bidders.
Mr. Avery-Did you not tell us you
would not have the contract signed?
Mr.. Seadler-No, sir | did not.
Mr.. Alsip-Are you in the employ of
Garlic & Croly or this Board?
Mr. Conklin-By their leaving out GER
tain items, would not the other contractors
have been $500 or $500 less than the bids
they put in?
Mr.. Seadler-Yes, sir. Garlic & Croly
now propose to build it according to the
original specifications. or the ones figured
on by the other contractors.
Mr. Conklin-You knew about this all
the time?
Mr.. seadler-Yes, sir. That is where my
crime rs II is called exists
Mr.. Conklin-Mr. President, must say
this is a stem-winder.
Mr. Chadderdon-I move that we declare
our last meeting informal and Illegal, in
making contracts or awards. We must re-
advertise again for bids, and go over all the
work.
The President-T don't see how we can
The bond is signed and contract entered
into.
Mr. Avery they have not been APP
proved by the Board.
Mr.. Alsip-They are not binding unless
the specifications were also signed. | knew
an hour after the last meeting about this
ma ter. Mr.. Avery told me he had over
heard remark of a contractor relative to
the fraud. We got the specifications, and
found that certain things had been oblit-
Grated. Mr.. Avery then went to the other
contractors, and found what they had
figured upon We went after Mr.. Seadler
and found him Sunday morning told him
we thought figures had been changed We
went to the office, and found a blotter and
specifications. 1t makes difference of 800
or $500 in the cost, and lessons the strength
of the building.
Mr.. Conkling said he had no doubt but