Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-01
THE TUNNEL CONTRACTS.
Why Were They nOt Given % the Low,
est Bfdderul

The expose OF the tunnel frauds has caused
considerable inquiry to be made as to how the
tunnel contracts were awarded. 1t is known that
Beckwith Quackenbush, the successful bidders,
were not the lowest for the work, and the vigor-
GUS protest made at the time by the lowest bid
ders-J. H. Devices Co., Of this city-against the
award OF the contract is significant in view OF the
recent startling developments. The bids In ques-
ton were opened october s, 1888 The lowest
bidders were ]. H. Devices Co., at &464, ,9O0 the
$40 900, and the third, Beckwith q Quackenbush,
at $o4S, l00 or $S3 200 more than the lowest bid.
Major Lydecker neld that J. d. Devices & Co.
could not do the work required at the amount of
their bid, and SO informed them. When they
learned that the contract was about to be awarded
to Beckwith Quackenbush, they filed
VIGOROUS PROTEST
with Secretary OF War Lincoln, dated october 10,
1888 They also notined Maj Lydecker that they
were prepared to furnish all necessary bonds and
money required. Col j. H. Devices says that these
communications delayed the award OF the con-
fadSsr and anu number OF New YorS Gentleman Came
to Washington and called on President Arthur
and Immediately thereafter the contract was let
reconsider the matter, and he replied that after
re-examinatton OF the papers In the case he saw
no reason to change views which led him TO ap-
prove the recommendation OF MAI Lydecker the
Oficer In charge OF the improvements, and Gen.
Wright, the Chief OF Engineers
The reason assigned Tor the rejection was that
the bond OF Devices & CO. was defective, but Col
Devices believes that the correspondence gives the
real reason for the rejection OF his bid. He says
enbush is Interested in the New YORK acqtieducL
contract, in which the father OF Maj. Lydecker
also has an interest Whether there Is any other
ST., Col Devices does not know.
Society Notes.
Gen. and Mira Z +. Beale returned on Saturday
from Chester, Pa. They spent the summer at Bar
Harb0r.
Mr. and Mrs Edward McCauley have returned
from Bar Harbor. They will take q house on
Rhode Island avenue for the season.
Mrs. Hopkins and Mrs. Monroe are back from
their European tour.
Mrs. Villas and Miss Villas have reached Phila-
delphia on their return from Atlantic City. They
Will reach their home here in the near future.
Rear Admiral stembel and Mrs. Stembel are To-
Gated at the Ebbitt for the season.
Ensign Edgar and Mrs. Edgar are at Cazenovia,
New York.
The Misses Bayard win spend October in VII.
mington, Del
Mrs and Miss Bsckwith win return to the city
this month.
Mrs. Jas Biddle is back from her stay in New
Jersey.
Mrs. Gen. Paul, Miss Paul and MrA Marmion are
at OAKLAND.
Mrs. and Miss Berry and Mr.. W. v. R. Berry are
back In their H-street home. Mr.. Berry spent the
summer In Europe.
Mrs. Sidney Everett has returned from abroad.
Mr.. J. L NJ Curry, ex-minister to Spain spent
some days last week In the city the guest OF Mr..
Calderon Carlisle. Mr.. Curry's home Is In Rich
m0nd.
Mrs. Frank Conger Is in Munich and has re.
covered wholly from the effects OF the painful ac-
cldent she sustained while crossing to Europe.
Mrs. and Miss Worden have ended their summer
outings and are back in the city.
Mr.. and Mrs. George White, Of Massachusetts,
avenue have returned from their vacation.
Mr.. and Mra Duncan Thompson, who have been
spending three months at Clifton SPRING. Sara
soga springs and 9th other places in New York state
Mrs VIM. B. Matthews has returned from
Fauquier County, Va, TO her residence, Last Rhode
Island avenue.
The widow and children Of Gen. Sheridan. I'm
company with Col sheridan and wife, left Non
Oscar straus United States minister TO Turkey.
who has been home on short vacation, sailed for
his post OF duty Saturday. He Is acconpanIed by
Mrs Straus and his young daughter.
Mr.. George Bancroft win on wednesday cele-
is stin at his Newport home.
M. and M1 Newton wyckon VIII be at home
to their friends on Wednesday October 4 10 and
u at their rssidsnce, No l7ii 18th street north
The family Of Chief Engineer Williamson. Of the
Navy, have returned to the city and are again
located In their pleasant home. l6Ss Rhode Island
M. and Ma John q. yuod LETT this morning Tor
oi Nssss e :siS sss
on Wednesday next
Miss Nae Jenkins. Of Iase washingson, was
given surprise birthday party saturday evening
BY number oe fr1enda
Mr.. and Ma q. W. Hery1ll ana MA A. Ridgely
are spending few weeks IN Virginia.
NJ. and MA Charles = FoUeee have taken rooms
nor the winter q 1l0o n street.
The n3t-boEn son and hsdr q Count =. ". -
OAnish mission o61rch IN Bruoklyn, tie Rev. NJ
An0enon o1oasi.G. "a c. q = Chlissenssn