Evening star., 1909-03-14


in this city; consequently, We ought, if the fig
uring was close, to do the work cheaper than
the others. He said that he was willing to
bury the hatchet and assure me of the job. 1t
| wanted he would help me to figure on it, and
he would guarantee that his company would
put in a higher bid the consideration for all
this kindness on his part being that | was to
pay him five thousand dollars. | asked h m
what he proposed to do If | declined his Oft -
and he said. Break you'll"
And he has just testified to the precariou
ness of his own financial standing at the time?
Il was not aware that had him nearly
down and out, admitted Mclean reluctantly;
and there was laugh from the audience, led
by Gibbs.
so you accepted his otfer:" asked Pember
I TOLD him would think it over and give
him my answer the next day. Some re-
marks he let fall convinced me that he knew
how desperate my financial situation at that
time was His information bureau was evil
IDENTIFY better than mine" Again there was
laugh, and Gibbs chewed his toothpick with
delight. Times had been bad; l had lost
heavily on some big jobs; had indorsed some
notes for friend who had failed, and had been
called on to make good and l was in an ex-
ceedingly anxious position. had to pay off
some notes in six months, and whether J
could do it or not depended on my getting
large contract. Those were the considerations
that influenced me: l told Mr.. Gibbs that l
would accept his assistance on the terms he
offered"
You are not in the habit, Mr. Mclean of
calling in experts from competing firms to as
sist you in figuring on bids!"
mo. We have corps OF engineers of our
own whom consider quite competent
Then the five thousand dollars you paid
Mr. Gibbs was not really for his services an
expert, as he claims:"
mo. 1t paid for a great deal more than
that"
Your bid on this contract, Mr.. Mclean"
it was Corwin who spoke, was how much?'
Mclean referred to memorandum in his
hand. "One hundred and thirty-six thousand
and seventy-eight dollars"
And the bid of the Acme Structural Com
pany, do you recall what that was?"
One hundred and thirty-seven thousand
and some odd dollars"
That was the lowest bid except yours:"
Yes"
And you and NJ. Gibbs fixed up those two
bids between YOU!
Il cannot say that Mr. Gibbs advised me in
fixing the amount of my bid. figured it up
and su ubmitted it to him; and he saw to 1t that
his bid was higher
Il understand YOU" Corwin leaned forward
and fixed his dark eyes on Mclean. Why
should you not have made your bid less by five
thousand dollars, and saved the city the money
you paid to Mr.. Gibbs? You would have been
that much surer of getting the contract,
wouldn't you,-putting in SO low bid!"
Il thought not" Mclean answered Il
felt that if refused to meet Mr.. Gibbs terms,
knew exactly how important that contract
was to me-.
Il have here" said Corwin, the bid made
by the Mclean Building Company on the
Ninth-ave. bridge. The bid is signed Rich
ard Mclean, President Will YOU please ex-
anime that signature, Mr.. Mclean, and tell us
if it is yours" He passed the paper over to
Mclean.
Yes. That is my signature"
Will you please read that bid?"
MCLEAN began reading in steady voice.
A'A He came at last to passage at which his
voice faltered. Then he steaded :. again and
read as follows
THE undersigned hereby declares that the
only persons interested in this bid as prnci-
pals are named herein; and that this bid is
made in good faith without fraud or collusion
or connection with any other person bidding
for the same work.
And you signed that declaration, Mr.. Nc
Lean?"
Yes" McLeans voice was low, his head
was bent. The room was suddenly hushed and
expectant; the only movement sound was
that of the reporters writing rapidly at their
table. The five members of the committee sat
intent,-tw of them sunk back in their chairs,
boxing at Mclean with quizzical eyes: two
others erect; Corwin in the middle leaning for
ward sternly.