Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-06-21

The KING STREET IMPROYEMENF.--
IL seems that II ID very dllicalt 10 re-
tain tranquility 10 Alexandra. As
soon as one mnddle is laid low another
is discovered 10 its wake. Hardly had
the iok dried upon Judge Nicol's deci-
sion closing the old sore of the Mayor
va. the Police Commissioners and the
Police Commissioners vs.. the Mayor,
when, without premonition, an issue
was precipitased between certain Of
ficials and the contractors who are to
put 10 the vitrifisd brick on King
street. The cloud, which at first was
no larger than mans baud, soon
spread and before the day closed the
wranRle had become acute aDd one OF
the contractors had ordered the chair
man OF the committee on streets of the
square. The ftiends of all parties CO.
tered into the war OF words, and opn-
ions were multiplied like snow faxes.
1t is needless TO say that the bulk of
the disputaDts hadn't the slightest idea
what they we're talking about. All,
however, imagined they we're civil en-
gioeers, or ought to be, and gave Opin-
ions accordingly. Painters tquiDted
and went one eye on the work; sto Z.
makers (never known to stick to their
lasts) helped to pile up opinions-in
sbort, the butcher and the baker and
the csndlestick were represent
ed. The cause of the fric ion upon be-
ing sifted down was found to have been
due to the fact that iD some places
the thickness OF concrete was not up
to the specifications, and that the City
Eogineer had called attention to the
matter and directed that it be taken up
and laid again In accordance with the
requirements. This the contractors
proceeded to do yesterday evebiog.
Hardly, however, had work been re-
sumed this morning when friction &C.
Cured between City Engineer Hol-
combe and Mr.. James Chsuncey, whom
the committee on streets. at the in
stance of MIR. Holcombe. had employed
to superinteDd the work. The City En-
gineer had directed Mr.. Chsuncey to
attend to some duty aud the latter re-
fused to obey. The former immediate
~ dispensed with the services OF the
superintendent and appointed Mr..
Edgar Padgett his successor. II Is also
said that Mr.. Chauncey urged the pull.
log up some OF the concrete work on
the south eide OF the street, which pro.
cedure Mr.. Holcombe was opposed to.
II Is understood that as MIR. Holcombe's
resignation takes effect tomorrow the
committee on streets will take no
further steps 10 the matter till then,
when, it is said. they will reappoint
Mr.. Cbauncey 10 superintend the work.
1t has been said that Mr.. Chauncey was
one OF the unsuccessful bidders on The
work and should not be thus employed.
The Gazette OF Saturday, April 20, the
day the bids were given out, says:
"Messrs. Cuvillier and Spinks we're the
lowest bidders. Among the other bid
ders were Crawford. of Washington;
Sweetan & Sons, of Long Island City,
N. j.; Clarity, OF Hoboken, N. j., and
Webster, of Alexandria, the latter be-
ing the next lowest bidder" Mr..
Chauucey, after having read the speci-
fications and realizing that they were
strongly drawn, and also provided for
retention OF 10 per cent. Of the amount,
concluded it was as much as he could
probably make on the work and fof
these reasons concluded not to bid.