The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-05
DISCUSSION OVER BIDS.
THE COMMITTEE ON GROUNDS AND
BUILDINGS KEPT BUSY.
Lively Session Caused by the Opening OF
Bids for Gas and Electric Light
Combination Fixtures.

ing In the chancery courtroom last even
Ing. There was large gathering Of out
siders. who were interested in the open
ing Of bids for the supply OF the necessary
| furniture for the various offices of the
new City Hail. and In bids for combina-
ton fixtures for gas and electric lights.
The following members of the commit
tee were present: Captain Il. NJ. Taylor,
chairman. and Messrs. II. l.. Carter. Cur
! tbs, Epps. Mountcastle. Seay, Tanner and
Tur9in.
Colonel Cutshaw suggested that the
bids be listed and passed upon at as early
day as possible perhaps the next day
look over the designs and samples. which
are stored away in room Of the new
City Hall
On motion OF Captain Curtis the regu-
lar business OF the committee was dis
posed off.
a bid submitted for repairs to the
house at the corner Of 81. Peter and
Leigh streets amounting to 1896 was re-
ceived. This property was bought by the
city some time ago as a site for a cOlored
armory, and is now unOccupied on ac-
count of its defective condition. The mat
ter was referred TO a subcommittee for
pointed Messrs. Turpn and Carter men.-
bers OF that subcommittee.
petition was received from the prop
erty owners in jefferson ward, asking
that the roadway through Jefferson Park
be widened TO fifty feet.
On motion Of Mr.. Epps the committee
decided TO recommend to the city Coun-
Gil that the petition be rejected.
petition was received from the car
penters employed at the new city Hall.
who asked for an increase Of their pay.
They are receiving now $3.50 each for a
day OF nine hours work.
Mr.. Epps thought that the men were
well paid for the work. and should not
look for an increase
on motion Of Mr.. Curtis the matter was
referred to Superintendent Gibson for
report
A communication was received from
Messrs. Brommell. Schmitt & Co., who
asked that their claim for extra work
in putting in the boilers in the new City
Hall amounting TO 81 600 be allowed.
on motion of Mr.. Curtis this matter
was laid over until the next meeting.
when the City Attorney will be requested
10 give his opinion as 10 whether or not
the city will have to pay the claim.
on motion Of Mr.. Curtis Mr.. Frank T.
rected to advertise for proposals for the
furnishing of ice to the municipal Offices
during the coming summer. The bids
will be opened AT the next meeting
Bills were approved for work ordered
by the committee amounting 70 S9104,
and the pay roll for the new City Hall
was approved for the past two weeks,
amounting TO 81. 6s89S
On motion of Mr.. Curtis the City Engi-
neer was instructed to advertise for bids
TO furnish the necessary stone TO nnish
the areas around the new City Hall, and
the stone is TO be cut by day labor on
the grounds.
On motion Of Captain Curtis Colonel
Cutsbaw was also authorized 10 adver-
tise for bids for the furnishing Of glass
to the doors in the interior Of the city
Hall: also. for additional iron steps and
floor lights over the boiler-room and some
granolithic pavements.
The opening Of the bids was then pro-
ceeded with Mr.. Turpin stated that he
had received a telegram from Captain a.
Pizzini Jr., stating that there was
strong possibility of a break in the trust
now existing as to the furnishing OF gas
and electric light combination fixtures.
He thought that the city could save
good deal OF money if the opening Of these
Colonel Cutshaw stated that post
ponement for thirty days would not cause
any material delay in the work now
carried on in the City Hall; but If
postponement was to be decided upon
the bids already submitted, which had
been handed in in good faith, should be
returned unopened.
Several bidders were emphatic In their
statement that no such trust was In eX-
istence. while they admitted that a com
bnation Of various firms did exist.
Captain Curtis moved that the bids be
opened but this motion was defeated
by the following vote:
Ayes-Messrs. Carter. Curtis Taylor-3.
Noes-Messrs. Mountcastle, Noble, Seay.
Tanner, Turpin-5.
Mr.. Curtis next moved that the sub
mitted bids be rejected.
There was some further discussion on
the subject on the part Of the bidders
present, and Colonel Tanner finally moved
for q reconsideration Of the close vote.
The motion was lost Messrs Carter.
Curtis, Tanner and Taylor voting for the
same, and Messrs. MOuntcastle. Noble,
Seay and Turpin against il.
Mr.. Epps was absent when the vote
was taken. having been temporarily ex-
cused from the meeting.
At the return Of Mr.. Epps the rules
were suspended, on motion Of Mr.. Cur
It's and at the suggestion Of Mr.. Noble
unanimous consent was given to the
opening OF the bids. which were taken up
and agreed to by the following vote:
Ayes-Messrs. Carter, Curtis, Epps,
Tanner and Taylor.
NOes-Messrs. Mountcastle, Noble Seay
and Turpin4.
The bids for the combined gas and
electric light fixtures were then opened
They We're as follows: The Horn. Branch
e. Forsyth Company IS 1850: the same
firm. a second bid. sl42}l; J. f. Phillips
sl3S6l; Cassidy & Son, $24.A34O: John
Bowers. S14573.S0; the De KOsenko &
Hetherington Manufacturing Company
1852: the same firm, second bid $lS.-
1880: Southern Electric Company, &c.
50275: A. Pizzini. Jr., 50 600.
Mr. Curtis moved that the bids be
placed on the blackboard. and that COM
mittee meet the next day at 1 p. NJ TO
hear argument and inspect the samples
The motion was lost.
Mr.. Curtis then moved that the bids be
referred 10 n subcommittee of four TO
report 10 the whole committee the next
day at $50 p. NJ. This was agreed 10.
and the chairman appointed Messrs. Cur
tbs. Carter, Tanner and Epps members Of
the subcommittee.
Bids were then received from the fol-
lowing firms for the supplying Of the
necessary furniture for the various Of
fees in the City Hall: Savage & Holms.
William Schwarzwaelder & Co. Fred.
Rode. Preston Belvin. the r.. Waddey
Company and II. Nj. Starke < Co. The
bids will be considered by the sub-com-
,,ittee who will report this evening at