Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-04-11
BUILDERS PROTEST.
AGAINST SCHOOL CONTRACTS BEIEGAWARDED
TO OUTSIDE BIDDERS
They Ask the Board Of Education 10 G;v'
Preferences 10 Local Contractors The
Plasisrsrs' Appeal.

A special meeting of the Board oil
Education was held last night to con-
slider a communication from the Build
ers' Exchange relative to awarding the
contract for the completion Of the Web
ster District school building. When
quorum was secured, Mr.. Jefferson was
chosen chairman, in the absence OF DR..
Dickey. The communication from the
Exchange was read. 1t was as foilows'
"Gentlemen: The Builders Exchange
OF Wheeling, representing the ouilolns
trades interests of this city, desires 10 re-
spectfully represent to the Board OF ECU
cation of the Independent School Dlstrlct
of Wheeling, that our own citizens, tax
PAYERS, and mechanics, should be encour-
aged and preferred by our own Scnooi
Board, and contracts and employment
given TO them only, in the construction OF
school buildings for this district, and q rule
established by the Board, giving pre-
ference to home industry and me.
chanics, in the erection OF scnool
buildings that are provided ard paid Tor
solely by the taxation OF our own citizens;
That the building trades are largely and
efficiently represented here, and our own
mechanics and laborers fully competent TO
do the work and needful Of the employ
ment. We respectfully ask that rule OF
this kind be ests olished by the Board, and
with this view send a committee TO repre-
sent the matter to you, and to receive your
reply.
We remain respectfully
JAMES McADAMs, Pres.
c. ED. ScHENERLEIS, Sec.
The lobby was filed with gentlemen
representing the building interests OF
the city.
The discussion was opesed upon
motion offered by Mr.. Buchanan TO ex-
tend the time for receiving bids for
Webster school building until Tuesday,
nth inst. Mr.. Hubbard was OF the
opinion that such proceeding would
not be legal. since the Board had adver-
tised for bids TO be in by the 18th. Mr..
Buchanan, Mr.. Ellingham and DR.. VI
rich spoke briefly upon the motion, aud
1t was adopted without a dissenting
voice. The Clerk was instructed To In
sert advertisements in the daily papers.
The chairman then stated that 1t was
the proper time, IN his opinion, to consld-
er the written communication from the
Builders Exchange. Mr.. Hubbard took
the ground that il would be improper to
restrict bids to those only who will en-
plOy home labor. Dir. Buchanan replied
that as the Board reserved the right TO
reject any or all bids, such reservation
would cover the case. IL would De
neither legal nor equitable to comply
with the request Of the Builders EX-
change, but the sentiment OF the men,
beers of the Board was favorable to the
employment Of home labor. de thought,
with this understanding, that the local
contractors should go ahead, and trust
the Board to care for their Interests as
far as within their power.
Mr.. EiIingham's understanding OF the
request OF the Exchange, was that the
builders desired the Board to hereafter
exclude all outside bidders and as no
disposition to grant this request, was
manifested, a motion to adjourn was
made and carried.
The following communication was re-
ceived, but not acted upon at the meet
ing:
Appeal to the Board Of Education OF
the city of Wheeling.
"GRSTLEMEN-As you are about 10 place
an addition to the Webster school build
ing. the journeymen plasterers, as citizens
ana taxpayers of Wheeling, desire an OPP
portunity TO work on same. AS you are
aware. the last contract was awarded 10
contractor who did not employ resident
plasterer. The above refers TO the Lincoln
school building.
1--WE request that it be inserted in the
specifications that all work be done by
union plasterers, and that citizens OF
Wheeling have the preference. Hoping to
be favorably considered, we remain respect
fully, ~
"PLAsTERERs' LOCAL UNION No. 80.
"HENRY NJ. SToETZER, Secretary.
"[Signed Union Boss Plasterers,
Philip Ghrimm, Louis Morris, Frank
Coats, VIM. A. Stoetzer, Clator Bros, Of
Wheeling: James Coifland, John Gill, OF
Bridgeport"
AS the meeting was called for the
consideration of the Builders Exchange
com munication, the chair ruled that
the above could not be considered, and
1t was not cad.
Dr40-ba, Snonk G, IN saw IN papa6