The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-07-15


firm OF Mathewson and Williams whose
bid it appears was but one dollar more
than the Pierce's bid, agreed that the
system now In vogue left too many
chances to discriminate in favor of GER
tain friends with pulls and he said he ia
vored the opening OF bids in public or In
presence OF the bidders at least.
THE NEWS STORY CORRECT.
"The story in The Evening News Thurs
day was correct as understand the
case" said the senior member OF the firm
Of Mathewson and Williams. II made
three bids on this Job OF repairing the IL 3
fire station and after the second one
which was for repairs including electrical
work / was met by Councilman Hail.
chairman OF the committee on public
buildings at Pawtucket. We came In on
the car together and he said Mr.. Mathew
son am glad 10 see you, / have some
thing TO say TO you. You are low on that
1ith fire station and / may say privately
you are way low. How much Is your
bid for the electrical work." When that
was deducted he said was away low and
showed me the list TO prove H.
DIDN'T SEE PIERCEs BID.
was Mr.. Pierces bid there?" the re-
porter asked.
IL did not see IT," was the reply.
Having the information that did OF
my low figures | was led 10 believe the
contract was mine and when / went TO
the public buildings office imagine my
surprise to find was not the winner but
that the contract was already awarded 20
another, who was they said below my fig-
ures. About 10 days ago ! learned that the
contract was given to the Pierce COM
pany."
Have you seen M. Pierce since?" the
reporter asked
About that time l met him on the
street and he shook hands with me and
for myself. Said he. II there Is anything
I can do to help you l will do it
Il thought almost enough had already
been done. firmly believe that 1 was en-
titled 10 that contract and should have
had IT."
II have my suspicious as to how the
contract may have been diverted. but Of
course could not go on the witness stand
and tell under oath anything definite
enough TO hold good in a court"
Are you thinking seriously OF taking
the matter 10 the colrts, Mr.. Mathewson,"
the reporter asked.
COURTS MIGHT HELP.
"It Is a very expensive proceeding
y, ne ItNlleO, anu SdIu ne COulu
hardly be regarded as having done so as
tractors and the people in the future II
he or someone else would do so and have
the work OF the committee thoroughly
ventilated.
II am convinced that publicity is very
desirable in connection with this case"
said Mr.. Mathewson in conclusion.
CONDEMNED THE SYSTEM
President ]. c. Walsh OF the j. c. Walsh
company. contractors and builders. who
were in the contest for this station, but
were outside the winning number by a
couple OF hundred dollars, was called
upon by the reporter also, and he talked
quite freely on the subject as II appeared
10 him. and he unhestatingly condemned
the system OF opening bids in secret as
giving too much opportunity for pull
and graft" The way they do in Massa-
chusetts cities and in other places not
far from here Is the best, he believed.
Invite the bidders TO be present and hear
the bids read out or have them posted and
they all would be assured that everyone
was getting a fair show.
There Is no such thing in awarding
the city contracts now II seems II Is
not the lowest bid or the best material.
but the man with the biggest pull that
lands the city work. IL has been so for
some time"
Mr. Walsh then related several In
stances where changes in the committee
had resulted in prominent firms of archi-
tects or builders losing their hold and
showed they had not received contracts
since their particular man had left the
city property committee.
COST CITY MORE MONEY.
II had a somewhat similar experience
with the Smiths Hill Fire station four or
five years ago" continued Mr.. Walsh
II received n contract In good faith and
signed ~, putting up the customary bond
for It's carrying out.
Because the city property committee
and the FIRE commissions were not work
ing In the best OF harmony. the station
was not vacated by the Are company
and year elapsed so that I had 20 renew
my bond. Another year was nearly up
when they were ready 20 begin work
and In the meantime the cost OF labor
had advanced about ~ per cent.
II wac. Of course. unable 20 do the
work for the contract price and told them
30 and the plans were modified 20 NJ the
appropriation. I was told 10 submit o