Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-12-28
Decisive Action Taken by the
Business Mems Association.
THE RESOLUTION ADOPTED
Consideration of the Councirs Method Of
: -.- Letting jail Contract. Special Meet
ing TO &c Held in Few Days.
Other Business Transacted,

1t took the Business Mems Associa-
ton some time to arrive at a conclus-
ion relative to the propriety or impro-
pretty OF the councils method of let
ting contracts. with particular reference
TO the new Jail, now under construc-
Ton; put when the conclusion was
reached, it was clear-cut and unmis-
taxable
rms conclusion is embodied in the
report OF the Investigating committee
appointed by the association some
months ago to look into the matter. 1t
was presented last evening at the meet
ing OF the organization by the chairman
OF the committee. MIR. r. G. Bickford
and was unanimously adopted
Inc report, with it's accompanying
resolution, will make extremely inter
esting reading to the public generally.
ana the council, particularly. 1t is as
follows:
The Business Mems Association of
Newport News. Virginia:
Inc committee on resolutions hay-
ing before it the report of NJ. r. Moore.
one OF the committee appointed by the
business Mems Association, to examine
ana compare the Van Dorm and Smith
plans, begs leave to report as follows:
It is apparent from the report of Mr..
Moore that while considered as a gem
eral result the buildings specified by the
Van Dorm and Smith plans, respectively.
are about equal, yet in various details
each possesses marked advanta ges over
tre other. and it is only by averaging
the defects and advantages of both that
! ,here can be any approach to equality
between them. The advantages pos
scsSed by each might Well have been
adopted. and the defects of each might
Wei nave been remedied had the city
council seen fit to have secured APP
Hroprlate plans. 1t is quite impossible
mat the interest Of the city can be well
protected and guarded should the coun-
Gil see fit to persist in the course that
they have followed in the awarding Of
The contractto build the city Jail
II our city is to reap in full measure
all the benefits with which the times
are pregnant, its business affairs must
he administered with care and economy.
That competitive bidding produces the
best results at the minimum cost is
lndiSputable. 1t is unfortunate that the
council should not have awaited itself
of method so advantageous to the
municipality especially when such a
course would allay the suspicion to
Which the people are sometimes prone
that the representatives to whom they
nave confided their interests have con-
tlicting interests Of their own
Your committee therefore reports the
following resolutions:
BE 1T resolved, That the action of the
council in awarding a contract for the
building of the city jail. Without in
Wiling com petitive- ~ b ddin g44.-therafors
was an improper exercise of whatever
\ discretion it possesses under the law.
subvertngi all the best interests Of the
city and contravening the spirit, il not
the letter OF the charter of the city Of
Newport News
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
r. G. BICKFORD. Chairman.
ELIAS PEYSER.
1t was decided that the president
should call another meeting of the as
ISOLATION to consider the proper meth
od of presenting this resolution to the
City Fathers, who meet in regular SEES
sion on the evening OF the first Tues
day in next month. This special meet
ing viii probably be called for next
Monday night.
Very little other business was trans
acted, it being decided to postpone the
discussion of the Newport News Creek
matter until the special meeting.
One new member was added to the
association, Mr.. f. H Somnlers.
MI. Vest, the President, was present
early, but had to leave in order to at
tend another important meeting Mr.
Peyser presided in his absence