Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-09-06
THE COMBINATION CONTRACT
Mr.. Mundy's Connection With it-He
Would Like Some of the Surplus

EDITOR HERALD: Returning two
or three days since from an absence of
six weeks in the east, ON business COLI
ducive to the general interest of Bell
ingham Bay, l find an increased mud
die in the affairs of a street contract,
which has become somewhat notorious
as the Evans, Templin & Mundy con-
tract, and that you have seen fit to
make editorial comment upon the same.
While | do not consider the public
press proper channel through which
tosettle private grievances, L trust you
will grant me space to define my posi-
ton and connection with said contract
I as briefly as possible.
\ My business in this community was
well known to be that of manager of
Bellingham mill, from April, 1890,
to the time the mill ceased operation,
June |, 1891. 1t was my earnest en-
deavor to promote the interest of that
business to the best of my ability, in
doing which, sought to sell its pro-
duct to the best possible advantage. |
was not then, neither am | now street
contractor. Mr.. McAdams, with
another reputable gentleman of this
city, had done contract work under me
in the delivery of lumber at price
agreed upon, for several months in an
entirely satisfactory and honorable man
ner. He had my full confidence as a
gentleman and business man. He,
with other parties, bid for certain work
to be let by the city and was awarded
contract known as the McAdams, King
& Co. contract. After such award he
came to me asking that become one of
his bondsmen, saying the other would
be either Mr.. Pierce Evans or Mr..
Strader, either of whom would join in
the bond. | didn't 90 on the bond my
self, but suggested that perhaps Mr..
Eldridge, who was part owner in the
mill, would do 50. / asked Mr.. FL
bridge to Join i'm the bond, but he de-
clined, saying no contractor could carry
it through without a loss in the rainy
season, and cited the Front street con-
tract as an evidence. l reported to Mr..
McAdams; he was confident Of his
ability to succeed and urged me to join
in the bond. My desire TO promote the
interest of Bellingham mill and secure
the furnishing of the lumber, finally
prompted me to 20 on the bond person.
ally, as other lumber manufacturers
stood ready to become sureties if they
got the furnishing of lumber. This is
a well known fact, and strenuous efforts
were made to cancel the contract to
McAdams King Il Co. and award it to
Tacoma parties.
Mr.. Evans and myself were finally
accepted as bondsmen and Mr.. Nc
Adams had so far complied as to be
,. ready to begin work. He subsequently
interested Mr.. Templin, of Tacoma, in
the contract to the extent of King d
'NCo.,s interest-one-half of the whole.
Subsequently Mr.. McAdams and Mr..
Templin disagreed as to proceeding,
and Mr. Evans andimyself were com
PEELED to take an assignment of the Nc
Adams interest and proceed to arrange
for carrying out the contract with the
city. We sublet Thirteenth street to
John Janzen at price which left us a
small profit. We also sublet to Temp
lin the balance of the earthwork in
Guided in the contract with the city at
a price which also showed small
profit to ourselves. 1t became necessary
to furnish some money with which 70
carry on the work, secure cars, railroad
iron, etc, and l advanced in cash my
self about S7O0and became jointly liable
with Mr. Evans for the payment Of
$4,000. / have received a city warrant
for $500, toward the sum advanced in
cash by myself, but the remainder Of
such advance has not yet been re-
turned. Ihave not received farthing
{ more in any way or manner.
y The business differences existing be-
Y tween Mr.. Templin and his Tacoma
partner, Mr.. Willis, have brought
about the necessity for court interven-
ton, and it now seems necessary thai
all accounts be properly audited ano
established i'm court before further dis
tribution is made. / am confident
that a fair profit was made on the con
tract. If such is the case, not only
want all just debts paid, but want my
fair share of the gains. This propos'
to see done in full, if possible. AS CITY
Attorney Howard announced to the
city council on Friday, for the informa
ton of Councilman Donovan, that tn
supposed profit of $4,000 was in the con
tractors hands, l desire it to tie under
stood that no part of it is in my hand
and has never reached me.
Truly yours,
j. 5. MUNDY.