The record-union., 1891-02-14
ANSWER
E. j. CROLY.

MIR. E. J. CRoLY SEEMS TO BE CON
VA siderably worked up over some iInagin-
airy insult and 'discourteous'' and ..ungen-
tlemaniy'' treatment received at my hands,
for which, however, / disclam all responsible
ity. Ny action in rejecting Mr.. Croly'S bid.
under the circumstances. was a forced issue,
emphasized by a majority rule, and if Mr..
Croly will remember, he, in language more
emphatic than polite, called upon and de-
fed me TO make u choice between himself on
one side and the four Association members
on the other. The Identical words used by
me in reply were: "In that case, Mr.. Croly
shall have to bite off the biggest end in order
to have competition on this work, and there
fore reject your bid" There is no star cham
Der performance in the transaction of business
in my Office, the doors being kept open at
such and al other times, and believe there
were enough Spectators present who will bear
witness that Mr.. Croly was treated with far
more courtesy at my hands than that gentle
man is capable of dispensing when in his best
humor.
can readily understand that it is not a diff
ficult matter TO insult person who enters my
premises intent upon raising a disturbance, as
did, he having been fully posted by q personal
friend of his MIR. Carie) as to what would or
might occur, and knowing full well the un-
pleasant position in which the architect as
arbitrator, would necessarily be placed should
he persist III rendering his bid on work let in
any of the architects Offices in competition
with representatives of the Contractors Union
AS to the banding, bonding and dove-tailing
of the architects with the Contractors Associ-
alton of this city, which Mr.. Croly insnIlates
the said E. j. Croly, contractor and formerly
81 member of this same Contractors Associa-
tion knows full well that he WiifGlly and ma
liciously slanders the architects of this COM
mCnity, especially since 1t is q known fact
that the only concerted action ever taken by
the local profession was unanimous and en-
phatic refusal 70 subscribe to any of the resO-
lutions or act in any measure in unison with
said Contractors Association.
What the necessary qualifications for men,
bership are in said association | am as vet ,lil-
informed and care less to know AS to Mr.
Croly's responsibility" such has never been
me to inquire into the nativity or citizenship
of parties estimating ON work in my Office
upon which he iaNs SO much stress and which
he seems 70 think should be made necessary
qualification for entering into competition ior
work in architects Offices.
What cause Mr.. Croly has to make this mat
terra personal attack upon ne passes my under
standing. The articles published over his sig
nature certainly show degree of vindictiye-
ness which the above occasion could not pos
sibly have justified. / have always aimed to
treat all responsible competitors alike, and if
left to make up q list Of my personal prefer
ences, he would have been amongst those
chosen; this he knows full WELL am there
fore all the more puzzled to know what he ex-
poets to gain in this attack upon me.
II he has any grievances with the Contract
ors' Association he should fight it out with
the membership, as / am neither their agent
nor do give them any more recognition than
is due to any respectable organized body hold
ing, as illustrated to Mr. Croly's and my own
satisfaction, or appearing to hold, the balance
of power. With this simple statement of the
facts Withdraw from all further controversy.
1t JAS. SEADLER.