The evening times., 1896-07-28
ARGUED LONG but N VlH'
Lawyer Skaggs Got Little Com
fort From Col. TrueSdell.
THE SITE IN THE NORTHEAST
Indications That the mmissioners
VIII Accept the Offer OF ex-Sena-
tor Kellogg, Although 1t Ii Higher
Than Beck s. welIer's Proposed
Terms-Colloquy Between the Two.

The Commissioners were formally and
forcefully notified today of il protest against
tho acceptance of the ground offered re
Gently by ex-senator w. =. Kellogg, ut
the corner OF Fifth and K streets north
east, as site for the proposed new school
house for that section.
A suit for an injunction is to be filed
in the District court, in case the Kellogg
site should be adopted.
The protest was presented by Attorney
James +. Scaggs in behalf of the bid
offered by Beck & Weller, and the con-
dition was that the property offered by
the latter firm at 80 cents per foot should
be preferred to the Kellogg property at
80 cents; that the Kellogg proposal did
not conform to the regulations governing
bids, and was. therefore, irregular; that
the title to the property he offered is
vested partly in Cardinal Gibbons, and
Senator Kellogg could not, therefore, cou-
troll 1t, and ftat the property is insult
able by reason OF the fact that the proper
dimensions can be Obtained only by closing
certain alleys in the square.
Mr.. Skaggs said he could not understand
how the Commissioners can assent to his
proposal, because in order to make the
| matter perfect they would have first
to give Senator Kellogg the ground em-
braced in the alleys, aud then turn about
and buy it OF him.
SOME LITTLE DISCUSSION.
A colloquy arose at the hearing in which
Col. Truesdell seemed to upset any chance
the Beck & Weller offer might have had OF
acceptance.
I'VE think our property should be ac-
cepted," said Mr.. Skaggs, because We
are the lowest and best bidders" and he
was proceeding TO another pcint, when
Commissioner Truesdell inquired:
''How do you know you rethclowestand
best bidders?''
Because we offer ground that fills the
specifications ut less money than anybody
else offers :
That may establish the fact that you
are the lowest bidders, but how do you
reason that you are the best bidders?'
I'VE contend. as before stated. that ground
which is acceptably located is the best IL
1t can be bought for 81 cents per foot less
than any other can be-"
WHO should decide that point. Mr..
Skaggs?"
THE Commissioners, unguestionably"
THAT is true, ana when you state that
| yours is the lowest and best bid you go
farther than you are authorized to CO."
II say 1t is the lowest and best bid, and
am trying to get the Commissioners to
believe it," returned Mr. Skaggs
rs it not true, Mr.. Skoggs, that prop
| erty in a locality may vary in value from
10 cents per foot to $500 per foot?''
mo, SIR
nrrTCpWJSE
"My experience is different" said the
| Commissioner.
Finally Col. Truesdell observed that, while
Mr Ska ggsma y be able to show good reason
| for not purchasing the Kellogg site. the
| ground offered by Beck Weller, was. in
| his Judgment, mot suitable. " and, he added.
81 shall never vote for accepting it.'
The whole matter will probably be set
| tied in court, but Commissioner Truesdell
said he doubted very much il any court VIII
| enjoin the Commiss ouers from construct
| ing a public school house for which Con-
eress had appropriated money.
Not as to the purchase of site"
mo; not even as to the purchase OF
! site-a suitable one"
| Something being then said about the law
/ in the case. the Commssioperssaidthe board
depends for its Interpretation Of law upon
its attorney, and when others wanted to
| contest points it would be between attor-
neys.