Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-11
PROTEST OF NO AVAIL
OBJECTION TO LETTING OF CON-
TRACT BY DISTRICT.
Foundation Work for New Municipal
Building Discussed by Contractors
With Colonel Biddle.

Attorneys Lambert & Baker, on behalf OF
Messrs. Patterson & Truman, contractors
OF Baltimore. today entered protest 70
the District Commissioners against their
awarding the contract for the excavation
and construction of the foundations for the
new municipal building to A. 3. Stannard
of New York city.
Col. John Biddle. Engineer Commissioner.
was the only Commissioner on duty at the
District building today, and he. together
with Capt. Chester Harding. supervisor Of
construction of the new District building,
listened to the arguments of the DIRECTORS.
AT the close Of the hearing. Col. Biddle
recommended that since no reasons de-
veloped at the hearing which would justify
the Commissioners in changing their former
decision, that no change be made in their
previous action. Col Biddle said that, al
though Commissioners Mcfarland and
West were absent. it was deemed advisable
to proceed with the hearing because de-
cision on the award of the contract was
necessary Immediately owing to the fact
that Secretary Shaw, the other member of
the municipal building commission, has to
leave the city soon.
The grounds upon which the compliments
based their protest were stated as follows:
THAT upon the only certain estimate that
was called for that of providing for the
excavation and foundation of the building.
Messrs. Patterson and Truman were the
lowest bidders by several thousand dollars.
exclusive. of course, of NOrcrosS Brothers.
who failed to qualify in making their bid.
For this work Messrs. Patterson and Thu
man bid $16S.OOO,, as against Sill, 453 by A.
B. Stannard
ut will be noticed by referring to the
specifications upon which the bids were
made, all matters relative to piling, new
capstOnes and old capstones were merely
to be Appropriated upon the approxima-
ton to the amount required, formulated
by the District authorities. as will be seen
by reference to clause No of the gen
eral Instructions for bidders sent out, by
the District Commissioners"
The instruction referred to by the attor-
neys read as follows:
ut Is understood that any quantities
given are approximate only, and that no
claims shall be entertained on account of
any excess or deficiency, absolute or rela-
tive, In the same. Bidders or their author
lied agents are expected to examine the
drawings in the office of the supervisor of
constructions, which are open to their in
spection. to visit the site of the building.
and to make their own estimates of the ia
cilities and difficulties attending the execu-
ton of the proposed contract. including
local condition, uncertainty of weather, and
all other contingencies
The bids of the two firms. Patterson &
Truman and A. B. Stannard. on the sep
arate items in the specifications, were as
follows:
Patterson & Truman, excavations, $685.
900: masonry. 90 cents per lneal foot; old
capstones. so cents each. and new cap
stones, 1915 each.
A. B. Stannard. excavations. SIT, 453;
masonry, IS cents per lineal foot: old cap
stones, 30 cents each, and new capstoneS,
S175 each.
Colonel Biddle said it is necessary, in
awarding contracts for such work. to get
bids on approximate quantities. The guam
titles specified In the specifications for bids.
he says, were considered as the necessary
amounts required for the construction of
the foundations, and the commission still
believes that the amount specified will be
needed.
Late this afternoon 1t is said Attorneys
Lambert and Baker will present arguments
on other points not covered at the hearing
this morning.