The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-02-10
CONTRACT UNDER SUSPICION.
LEXINGTON GRAND JURY MAKES
INVESTIGATION OF BRIDGE
BUILDING.
REPRESENTATIVE Harrison OF Greenwood
Claims That Wyse Ferry Bridge
Will Cost $1,000 Too Much.

Is lHere grdIt IN bridge building?
Is there an understanding among
bridge builders that certain territory
is to be allotted to each?
Is it true that bids submitted in
such respective territory are merely
complimentary?
Is it fact that after contracts
are let, alterations are made by which
the successful bidder gets a large per-
centage Of profit?
The above questions have for
months been puzzling some young en-
gineers of this State, men Of unim-
peachable integrity. The first issue
was made yeterday at Lexington,
when Hon. Wade c. Harrison of
Greenwood appeared before the grand
jury and charged that the county is
being mulcted to the extent of $1,000
in one bridge contract, the total value
of which is $1S.5OO.
In other words, Mr.. Harrison sub
mitted for others a proposal to dupli-
cate the work for $1,000, and in
proving his good faith he offered a
certified check for $1,000 as a forfeit.
The grand jury complacently heard
the statements, but had taken no ac-
ton up to last night. 1t is expected
that developments will follow today.
Following the great flood of last
August some young engineers saw
that many thousands of dollars must
be spent at once in replacing the
bridges washed away. Purposing to
engage in legitimate business, they
decided to try to get as much of this
work as possible under legitimate
competition. In visiting several To-
calities they were astonished at the
conditions prevailing at the awarding
Of contracts upon the basis of alleged
competitive bidding.
There was a spirit of camraderie
among the bidders, which was in it
self suspicious and some openly
taunted others with bribing and offer
ing bribes to county officials. Grad
ually these novices began to get the
idea that it was useless to submit bids
unless they "stood in" with the inner
circles. for should they bo so fortu-
nate as to submit the lowest bids they
would later find that all sorts Of OBJ
stacles had been placed in the way of
their getting material.
This matter came to the attention
of Mr.. Harrison. He has quietly been
making observations for several
months and has had the assistance CT
others who have been as sincerely in
terested, and the result has been that
they think they have a clear case Mr..
Harrison will at a later time submit
to the general assembly some affida-
Wits which will give support to. his
bill to have all proposals for bridge
contracts reviewd by competent en-
gineer or board of engineers.
Mr.. Cosgrove in the house and DR..
Crosson in the senate have bills along
the lines of the reforms advocated by
Mr.. Harrison.
Some time ago Mr.. Harrison was
informed by Mr.. Thos. W. Cothran of
Greenwood that Mr.. j. w. Burgett,
bridge contractor, could give some
valuable information with reference
to the letting of bridge contract in
Lexington county. Mr.. Burgett later
in person confirmed to Mr.. Harrison
the statements made in Mr.. COthran's
letter. Mr.. Burgett furthermore con-
firmed these charges in converse
ton with Senator Niels Christensen.
Jr.
Mr.. Harrison had a conference with
the new supervisor in Lexington and
made Photographic copies of the rec
ords in the matter. Yesterday the
grand jury of Lexington county noti-
fed Mr.. Harrison that his presence
was desired. Accordingly he went to
Lexington and invited Senator Christ
ensen to accompany him to confirm
certain statements. These were in
effect as follows:
That a bridge was to be built by
Lexington county over Saluda river
at Wyse's ferry, about nine miles
northwest of Columbia. That Mr.
Burgett conferred with the former
supervisor, G.. III. KOOn. and that the
supervisor stated she expected some
thing out Of it," Burgett accordingly
raised his figures on hauling from
$160 to $500 and let the supervisor
have the hauling. Burgett claimed
that he submitted the lowest bid $15,-
400, but that the Carolina Engineer