Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-03-08
A GRAVE CHARGE.
Robert TeasdaIe Says He Threw Up the
City Coal Contract Because He Found
He Had to Keep Certain Men in Free

Robert Teasdale Says He Threw Up the
City Coal Contract Because He Found
He Had to Keep Certain Men in Free
Coal.
To the Editor of the Register.
Sir:-1 would say that the City Gas
Board, on February LIST, 1896, awarded
me the contract for run of mine coal.
l made arrangements with the Elm
Grove Coal Company and Glendale Coal
Company TO supply me with good run
OF mine coal, which these gentlemen
will bear me out. On this statement
commenced furnishing the coal and
from my long experience in the coal
business l would say that the electric
plant never was furnished as good
quality of coal as was furnished by
these companies. l have been dealing
with said firms a number of years, and
find that their products give general
satisfaction to the public.
Now, Mr.. Editor, l want to explain
why these men are turned down. One
is a citizen of Ohio county and has
large interests at stake; employs from
two to three hundred men, and every
dollar is spent here in Wheeling. All
are benefited by it, but they are turned
down. | do not want the contract I'M
der any circumstances, knowing what
| know now. In the first place, the
men run the electric plant and not the
superintendent, and if you want TO
keep a contract there you want to fur
nish coal to a certain fireman and to
comply with his requests in other mat
ters | bid a very low bid, and did
comply with it to the letter, but l
found out later if | did not poney up,
at his request. | would not be in 1t;
therefore, | told Mr.. Thompson If l
had to do all this to keep an honest
contract | would not have it. My con-
tract would be a saving TO the city OF
SC per ton. or twenty dollars per month,
and all the best quality run Of mine
coal Now, Mr.. Editor, at the meeting
of the Board, March LIST, they authoriz-
ed Mr. Thompson TO confer with me
about the matter, but Mr.. Thompson
did not come TO me, but stayed away
until | had finished up our coal which
was on hand, and then notified Mr."
Schulz that I was done with it. That
is. thecOntract twas annulled by my con-
sent, not Mr.. Thompson say so. NOW,
Mr. Editor l don't do this with any
malice, but simply to show that | was
justified in not signing the bond. If
I had done it in order to save myself
from injury l would be compelled to
furnish clean Elm Grove and Glendale
coal, which coal mines are located near
Wheeling, or be turned down by said
men, who are the leading factors, not
Thompson. Why is this thing allow
ed? They get their money every month
to pay their honest debts. Why did
not Mr.. Thompson investigate for him
self, not relying on such men, when the
city's interests are at stake? Now, Mr.
Editor, in conclusion | would say, let
the Board advertise for new bids, give
il to the lowest bidder, but don't let
such men be the judges-let the super
intendent do this, which is his bust
ness to do-dCn't Iet others dictate.
That is unjust to the bidders. For my
self l want to see justice done the tax
payers as we'll as myself.
Let the present committee of Council
investigate this matter also.
B. TEASDALE.