The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-24

the various committees of the
Council the imperative necessity Of
exercising the same judgment and rigid
economy in awarding contracts that bind
the city that they would exercise In
their own personal busiress, and should
award contracts To the lowest bidder, un-
less the interests OF the city would plain
" be the sufferer thereby.
Your committee have been unable TO
find that any authority was given by the
Council TO the Grounds and Buildings
Committee to expend any money In send
Ing the subcommittee 10 visit the diff
ferent places where these metallic cases
were I'm use. Your committee deem II
proper to say that no committee ought
to be allowed to authorize any such trip
unless so authorized by such authorize
ton. nor should the City Auditor pay
any warrant for any such trip unless so
authorized by such resolution. Whne
your committee are Informed that
Il has been customary with other COM
mittees to send subcommittee on SINH
lar trips pertaining TO matters under
their charge, yet your committee deem
that the Council should put stop 10 such
a custom.
Your committee condemn the expendi-
ture by Messrs Curtis, Mountcastle and
Epps, Of the sums respectively Of $50,
800 and SOC. charged 20 and paid by the
city. as shown TO be excessive, In COM
parison with the vouchers Of Mr.. An
derson and Mr.. Bates for SEQ each. for
all auctual. necessary and legitimate ex-
penses for the same trip
Your committee would express their
hearty disapproval Of the costly and sug-
gesuve attentions lavished between
Messrs. Belvin, Booz and Glenn upon
the members OF this subcommittee, and
particularly the gift OF silk hats to
Messrs. Curtis. Epps and Bates-the lat
ter being a city employe. Such atten-
tons, under such circumstances, reflect
no credit either upon those who tender
or those who receive them.
Your committee would especially con-
denim both the lending and the receipt
Of 800 borrowed by Mr.. Epps. and 500
borrowed by Mr. Mountcastle. from Mr.
Glenn. the representative Of the Everett
Waddey Company. and as such Of the
Office Specially Company. which sums
were, however, repaid before the award
ing Of the contracts. though IL is fair TO
state that there was evidence before the
committee tending TO show that the sug-
gestion Of this temporary loan met with
the approval Of Mr. Curtis, the chairman
OF the subcommittee. and that this APP
proval was announced 10 Mr.. Epps and
Mr.. Mountcastie. And it is also fair to
state that Mr.. Mountcastle was at that
time under contract to do a considerable
amount of work for Mr.. Waddey. part
Of which had been done and a portion
OF the contract price. therefore. due prior
to the time OF the acceptance Of the loan.
Your committee would express even
more decided dsapproval Of the Dor
rowing by Mr.. Epps of 800 from Mr.
Belvin, a bidder himself and the repre-
sentative Of Mr.. Booz and the Fenton
Metallic Company. While of the opinion
that Mr.. Epps may not have realized the
improperly 81 his conduct. and while
impressed with his frankness i'm confess
ing his error when he made his statement
to the committee towards the conclusion
OF the investigation, yet yoTr committee
feel compelled 10 characterize the trans
action as reprehensible.
Your committee would further report
that they consider Messrs Bevin, BOOZ
and Glenn have been guilty Of serious
improperly IN endeavoring 10 improperly
influence the decision and the votes Of
the various members named Of the Com
mittee on Grounds and Buildings Your
committee would state that Mr.. BoOz
has not appeared before them. though
several times summoned and requested 10
come and though the committee adj
journed twice for his special benefit. the
last time for a week. so as 20 give him
an opportunity to be pres mt on a date
suggested hy himself. Your committee
considers that Mr.. ROoz's absence Just-
Ges the severest criticism. They did not
adjourn again for bis benefit. as they
were convinced by his course that he
would not come,
Your committee would further recon-
mend that the Council annu the con-
rtrffh
representing the Office Speciality Com
pany, If in its power. and that they di-
rect the Committee on Grounds and
Buildings 10 decline TO receive new bids
from the Office Speciality Company or the
Fenton Metallic Company either directly
or indirectly. for the reasons heroinho-
fore stated: and. further. because while
the city should encourage active and
legitimate competition for its contracts
it should set the stamp and seal of its
condemnation upon all competitions
tainted with fraud or improper methods
Respectfully submitted
The report was signed by all the mem
bers Of the committee except Mr.. Otway
s. Allen, who is out Of the city.
After the reading Of the report the
chair stated IT should De accompanied
10y a resolution or ordinance. Mr.. Gui-
gon stated that by an oversight Of the
committee the presentation of an ordi-
nance or resolution had been omitted.
and. in order TO prepare the paper Dee
suggested recess Of FIVE minutes. This
was agreed 10.
After the recess Mr.. Mann moved that
the report be received and fled. Alr
Carter wanted 10 know whether the re-
ceiving Of the report would bind the Cou1-
ell to any OF its recommendations re
added that he could never vote for the
latter part Of the report. which recon
mended the annulinc of the contract
given TO Mr. Waddey. As a member of
the committee. he had heard the testi-
mony given by all the witnesses. but De
did not recollect that ne had heard any
thing that there had been any fraud on
the part Of Mr. Waddey. who. by the
report, as representative Of the Office
Speciality Company. was placed in the
same position as the Fenton Metallic
Company Mr.. Carter therefore. moved
that that part Of the report be eiini-
mated
The chair stated that Mr.. Carter was
somewhat out OF order, for the Council
at this juncture could either receive the
report or have it recommittei for anne ID
ment
Mr.. Grimes wished to know whether the
city would not be held responsible If
the contract should be annuned. but NJ.
Guicon explained that this question was
TO be considered later on.
Mr.. Carter then modified his motion 80
that the report be recommitted for re-
vision
Dir. Crimes explained that on three DIFF
ferent occasions he had gone North as
member Of a Subcommittee. and each i-