Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-03-31
JAMES WILDES

JAMES WILDES
Was the next witness His firm re-
ceived the contract for the paving be
tween Buchtcl and Case avenues. He
said the contract was signed the same
night they were awarded becnuse the
block asphalt people wanted TO close
up, and get away. He did not know
whether Mr.. Paige was sent for OF
not, but after ii was all over they
went down to Frank Sells and held
a jollltcation.
w. ]. WILDES
Is the son Of the preceding witness
and the junior member of the firm of
JAS Wildes & Son. lie admitted
having circulated n petition for the
block asphalt because he believed
1.-THE sheet asphalt people our common
enemy
He had only spent 40 or so hours
with the petition and had received no
pay for so doing. This had been done
after the bids were opened, and De-
fore the awarding of the contracts.
When asked why he did this, the wit
ness replied because l knew that we
had the only low regular bid. ! cir
culated the petitions knowing that our
bid was regular and should receive the
contract.
"How do you explain the fact that
your bid on the east end, was lower
than McCourts and that McCourt's
was lower than yours on the west
end?' asked Attorney Bradley.
1T happened that way" said ti.G
witness
Mr.. Wildes said that he talked with
Mr.. Herring nfter the bids We're
opened but had never heard that Her
ring was paid for withdrawing Upon
cross examination the witness said Ii
was n common thing for contractors
to circulate petitions on street improve
ments. He said they had II rate OF
$7O.4O per thousand with the New Cas-
tie Block Asphalt company and en-.
tered into contract agreeing to deal
with them IL the work WIS secured.
A rate of 3Oh cents per foot had been
secured for curbing.
j. ]. MCGOWAN.
Contractor McGowan testified that
prior to the submission of bids, he had
a conversation with Mr.. Paige, zone
day." said the witness, "Mr. Paige
called me into the Office of the city
engineer and asked me IL expected
to bid on the Market street improve
ment. l told him thought would
He told me I ought to get in with Mr.
McCourt for the job was going to p
Y. McCourt and Jas. Wildes & Son
After the bids We're submitted con
tinued Mr.. McGowan, II had a con
versation with Mr.. Crisp the same
morning OF the meeting OF property
owners. Mr. Crisp took me into the
office of the chief of the fire depart
ment and asked me II l wanted the
contract. | told him that l certainly
did. He said, you shall have 1t. Eor
are the lowest responsible bidder, ant
you shall have the job"
In answer to u question, Mr.. Nc
Gowan said that there ought to be ,
profit of from $1,000 to $4,000 in th'
Job att he figures he submitted.
"Nere you informed by any contrac
tor or furnisher of material, that |
you would get out OF the way, VOL
. could get some moncyT' asked Attor
ney A.owley.
Mr.. McGownn answered, ''Denni
Collins told me that lie was satislle,
that I could get $1,000 out of the us
phalt company II ! would sell out l.
ID. Seward also told me that he wa
sorry was having difficulty AM
wished the matter could be settled
He said il you get the job you will
have no difficulty in getting the block
at your own figure. The figure ha,
named in my hid was So per "thous
and"
FRANK McAL0NAL
Is employed by Jas. Wildes Il Sor
; He related u conversation he had wit
/. Mr.. Wiides, wherein the latter ha
told the witness that he understoo
. that McGowan could get $500 II II
would withdraw.
DAN McGARRY
Testined that he was present whe
the bids were submitted Mr.. NJ
Garry stated that upon the rejectio
of the Gilsonite bid, because there wa