The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-12
CONTRACTORS NOT WORKING.
OPERATIONS ON THE TYBEE
BREAKwATER SUSPENDED.

Contractors Feel They Are Not Re-
Gillette Says He Has Merely Insist
ed on the Specifications Being Adj
hered tO-The Doretta Brought
Over Samples of the Brushes Used
For Mattresses-It Is Asserted That
These Samples of Brush Had Been
Condemned.
AS the time draws near for the filing of
the report of the board appointed to in
vesugate the charges against Capt. o.
NJ. Carter, the subject is again becoming
one Of general conversation, and it was
the topic on almost every street corner
yesterday.
The account OF the case, or speculations
with regard to the case in the Washing
ton dispatches to the Morning News yes
terday was eagerly read. and the opinion
was expressed in many quarters that the
facts stated were about correct. 1t is
probable, however, from all accounts, that
1t will be several days yet before anything
definite is heard from the matter.
In the meantime there are several mat
ters here which appear to have a bearing
on the case, or at least to have grown out
of 1t, which are being discussed. The
steamer Doretta, on her last trip from
Bluffton, brought over three bundles of
fascines, or brushes, such as are supposed
to be used In making the mattresses for
the jetty work at the mouth of the river.
For what purpose these are to be used
Is not definitely known. When asked
about the matter, Capt. C. E. Gillette said
he had nothing t. say with regard to it.
These samples of brush fascines are sup
posed to have been secured for use in con-
nection with the investigation, or for the
purpose of showing the class of material
being used in the jetty work. They were
secured from the place where the Atlantic
Contracting Company is getting the mate
rial for making the mattresses which are
being put into the Jetty that is to form
the breakwater at Tybee roads,
1t was stated, however, by gentleman
interested In the work that the brush
brought to Savannah by the loretta had
been condemned by the contractors; and
was not, therefore, such as is used in the
work. 1t Is said an affidavit to this effect
Will probably be made. Just what figure
the samples of brush will cut remains to
be seen.
1t is a well-kuown fact, also, that the
Atlantic Contracting Company is not
pushing the work on the new training
wall which is to form the breakwater. The
fact that work has been practically STOP
ped has been the subject of no little dis
cussion for some days. Inquiry on this
subject develops the fact that the con-
tractors in charge of the work do not
think they have had the proper treatment
at the hands of the new administration
of the engineers office here, and for this
reason the work has been temporarily
suspended.
The work practically stopped a short
time after the Carter investigation began,
and since then little or nothing has been
done. 1t Is believed now that nothing fur
ther will be done until that matter has
been definitely determined, and 1t is seen
what position the department takes in the
matter. When some action is taken in the
Carter case ii is probable that the work
Will be resumed shortly afterward. The
contractors assert, however, that they are
up with their work, and that they will, un-
der any circumstan have plenty of
time to finish 1t in accordance with the
terms of the contract
When asked about this matter, Capt.
Gillette said that the engineers office was
in no wise unfriendly to the contractors,
and had no desire to treat them otherwise
than fairly. He said he simply told them
there is the contract with the printed spec
ificatlons, and they must be adhered to.
The different features of the case which
are developing are being watched with
much interest, and there is no question
that the report of the investigating board
is being eagerly awaited.