The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-05-08
CONTRACTS
NOT AWARDED
Great Similarity in the Bids
Submitted.
SCHOOL BOARD AMAZED
At Prices Asked by the Con-
tractors in Their Bids.
Prof. Frank Tubbs is Chosen Tenn.
porary Superintendent During the
Present Illness of Prof. Frank.

Because the lowest bid was nearly
six thousand dollars more than the
Ioriginal cost of constructing the Dav-
i'd street building, the city school
board at special meeting last night
postponed until next Monday night
the matter of letting the bid for the
proposed four-room addition. The
board had figured on building the ad-
Idition for $4,000, but the lowest bid
received was a combination bid of
$15303 16 which included heating and
lighting and everything complete.
Contractors J. e. Strawser and w.
IC. Stafford were the only bidders on
construction, and there was a re-
markable similarity in their figures.
In the sealed bids submitted, Strawser
bid on excavating $252.75. Stafford on
lexcavating, s252.75. On stone mas
onry, Strawser bid S1233 80 and
STAFFORD, $1233 80. On brick work,
Strawser bid $3124.6 62 and Stafford,
l$3124.6 62. There was slight differ
ence in their bids on carpenter work.
On cut stone, Strawser bid $3.50 and
Stafford, $3.50. On plastering, Strawser
bid $3.50 and Stafford $3.50. In their
bids, not including heating or light
ing, Stafford bid $13,S54 03 and
Strawser, S13,573 II, and consequently
IL the contract would have been
awarded, it would have fallen to
Strawser by virtue of being the low
est bidder.
1T doesn't loJk reasonable TO pay
nearly $4,000 for a four room addi-
ton to the David street building
when the building which stands there
only cost but little over $4,000. You
never could make me believe that
labor and material has advanced 6
per cent. in the last few years" de-
clared Mr.. Dickerson. Member
Sweeney was of the opinion that il
the addition cost more than $4,000
the board would not be able to build
| it this year, because of pinched f.
nancial conditions,
| After the matter was thoroughly
discussed, motion was put by mem
Der Dickerson that the question be
laid on the table until next Mon
day night. In voting on the motion
Spaulding stood for the negative,
declaring that he thought the matter
might just as well be settled immed-
lately. Nevertheless the motion vas
carried.
Richard McCarty and Bulford, the
Columbus architects, were present,
but were called upon for but little
advice. Besides the bids of Strawser
Iand Stafford were number of bids
for sub contract work. r. M. Cum
ningham put in bid of $2,111 SO for
gas and plumbing; the Columbus
Heating and nt''ating company bid
$2,333 on heating apparatus; the
American foundry and furnace com
pany bid $2127 on heating. The
total bid was $l5,9S1 which was over
six hundred dollars more than the
combination bid.
After the building question had
been considered, the board took up
several other points of business.
Member Sweeney stated that he had
been to call upon superintendent
Frank who lies critically ill., and
that he seemed to be worrying a
great deal over the school work, Mr..
Sweeney recommended that for the
relief OF Mr.. Frank and the better
ment OF the schools, temporary
superintendent be employed The
board Immediately took action and
voted to employe Mrs. Gebhardt to
teach the three subjects handled by