Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-20
WILLIAM FLINN A VICTIM.
To be Sued Beacuse the State Won't Pay
Contractors Whom He Guaranteed
His Exclamation of Ii.


Contractors Whom He Guaranteed
His Explanation of 1t.
Shortly after the Johnstown disaster the
proposition enabling contractors to make 10
per cent upon amounts handled by them in
clearing debris aroused so much adverse
comment from those who believed the mat
ter should be kept beyond the pale Of
money-making that it is possible the State
authorities went to another extreme in the
allotment OF contracts. This view of the
question seems to be emphasized; for WILL
lam Finn, the well-known Pittsburg con-
tractor and General d. H. Hastings, on the
part OF the State, are at issue.
Mr.. Finn has received notice within the
last 48 hours that Thomas G. Carlin & Co.,
contractors, of Allegheny, would bring suit
against him for 81 200; also that William
Anshutz, contractor, of Allegheny, would
bring suit against him for 81, 200, both of
these claims being bills rendered to the
Governors Commission, and both OF them
unpaid by the State. Mr.. Films connec-
tion with the whole affair was as guarantor
of both accounts. He expects the suits to
be brought at the next term OF court.
Mr.. Flinn's personal explanation of this
peculiar incident Of the Conemaugh flood
was given to a DISPATCH reporter last
night, as follows:
should not have said anything about this
matter so long as there seemed any possloil1ty
of the settlement of these bills, but as have
been notified that would be sued by Messrs.
Carlin and Anshutz, the matter is bound to
become public. The history of the affair is as
follows: When moved my whole force Dut an
office boy and a clerk to Johnstown,1 took along
some hoisting engines. They were absolutely
necessary in the cleaning up of the creek.
General Hastings was struck with their use,
f,I,, a,A lyad mr.
be secured. 1 introduced Mr.. Carlin to him,
and the upshot of the conversation was that
General Hastings told him to bring up all he
could lay his hands on. Mr.. Carlin nnaly
brought up l6 engines and men to work them.
General Hastings made an absolute contract
with Mr.. Carlin, in my presence, for the
amount 10 be paid for the engines wnhe useo; 7
Mr.. Carlin turned to me and asked me II l
would guarantee his payment. l answered
ives" So he went to work. l also suggested
to General Hastings that Contractor William
Anshutz, of Allegheny, had two tower engines
that would be invaluable in clearing away the
debris. "All right" said the General: Bring
them up here. 1t will be all right" So tele-
graphed Anshutz and he lost no time IN
bringing up his men and setting them to work:
He also had an understanding with Hastings, l
believe. At any rate my telegram made me
which will hold me legally. 1 advised Carlin
to cut his bill. which was framed upon Has
tings' own terms-25 per cent-which he did,
the bill amounting to s., 700 Anshutz,s bill was
the bills and cut Carlin's one-half and
Anshutz's down to $1,000. Both contract
ors kicked, and so the matter rested
until the other day when Mr.. Carlin and myself
went to Grove City to see General Hastings
He said he would, on the part of the State,
agree to arbitrament Mr.. Carlin said he was
not used to having absolute contracts arbi-
trated, but that if General Hastings would
agree to arbitrators in Pittsburg so as to save
him (Carlin) the time and expense of running
around the State that he would consent to ar
bitration Just to show the public that the bill
was reasonable. Hastings agreed to this but
subsequently sent word to Carlin that the State
would appoint whoever it chose as arbitrators.
Hence, Carlin is to sue me- am not seeking to
evade the guarantee. A man ought never to
guarantee anything unless he has his eyes
open"
"What will you do if you are sued?" was
asked.
"I will invite General Hastings to share
the defense with me. In case he does not,
the chances are that will have chance to
figure as one of the largest individual con-
tributors to the Johnstown fund.