Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-02-26
attiseelIaneuus 8mding.
BRIDGE BUILDING GRAFT.
Greenwood Newspaper Represents Ex-
istence of Conspiracy.

Greenwood Newspaper Represents Ex-
istence of Conspiracy.
To a Greenwood concern belongs the
credit for unearthing the conditions
which have obtained in this state, and
doubtless in other states in the mat
ter of building steel highway bridges,
and in fact, bridges of all kinds.
Thousands Of dollars have already
been saved the counties of the state,
and many more will be saved If the
authorities do not go to sleep. The
time for vigorous investigation and
prosecution is now.
About a year ago the Southern High
way Bridge company was organized
here for the purpose Of erecting steel
bridges The young men who plan
ned the company had no intention Of
doing anything but a straight open,
honest business.
They had the services Of high en-
gineering skill. They proposed to
make surveys of bridges, compute the
cost of erection, and after adding le-
gitimate profit, make an honest bid for
the Job. They did not propose to join
any pool or combination to defraud
their native state.
They attended bridge letting after
bridge letting. At first they could not
impress upon the supervisors the ne
cessity of having the plans filed before
the day of letting so that an intelligent
bid could be made. An intelligent bid
could not be made after an hour or
two of inspection of the plans.
They soon found out that the state
was "farmed OUT" that certain bridge
companies had certain counties for
their territory; that representatives OF
dozen or so bridge companies always
attended bridge lettings so as to create
the impression that there were COM
petitive bids They found out that
these representatives were all members
Of a pool; that each man got S25 day
and mileage or immunity from attacks
in his territory for attending the let
ting. The price Of the bridge was fixed
before all the other representa-
tives, than the one to whom 1t was to
60 made higher bids. The men al
ways referred to themselves as the
boys"
At last 1.-THE boys" made overtures to
the Greenwood concern. These were
rejected. They then said, in effect, I'VE
will cut the price below cost and will
force you out of business"
Not all the other bridge companies
were in a pool or combination. There
are other honest companies In the field,
but they had to put up with the same
conditions as the Greenwood concern.
In many cases they kept away. They
operated in sections where "the boys"
had to keep straight
It was too good graft to be given
up without a struggle. They figured
that the Greenwood company would
after while get sick and tired and
give up the fight.
The men of the Greenwood concern
were not built that way. They did not
learn dishonest methods from their
fathers. They inherited pluck and
courage from a long line of good men.
The fight was continued. The Green
| wood company sent man to every
letting they knew Of. They reported
the facts to men of authority and in
fuence The bridge men cut the
price. In some cases below cost.
This meant saving money for the coun-
ties, for the state. The young men felt
that they were doing the state some
service If they were not making any
thing for themselves.
At last a situation developed that
warranted publicity. The State news
paper, already in possession OF the
facts, told the story to the people OF
the state. 1t created a sensation.
Some of the bridge men, already
fugitives from pestering grand juries
| of other states, found the climate OF
South Carolina not good for their con-
stitutions. They moved on, and away.
They will wait the time with patience
and If things cool down, return to the
pickings. It's too good a thing to be
given up without struggle.
The Greenwood concern has already
saved thousands of dollars to counties
by it's fight. 1t has just begun to fight.
| 1t will continue the fight for honest,
open, legitimate business. Long life
and much success to it.-Greenwood