The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-14
.SPINK SAYS THE
BOARD is M|SLED
New Architect and Contractor
Put TO Work
SPHINX WANTS JUSTICE
Says There Is Much Behind Martin
School Matter and He VIII In
sist on Having 1t All
Brought Out.

Following its action in terminating the
contract with Architect w. e. Sphinx as
agent for the city and e. NJ. Lisle as
contractor for the Martin school. the
Board of Education has appointed Harry
Wheelock as architect and j.. D. Stewart
as contractor to finish the building.
Messrs. Wheelock and Stewart took i'm
mediate charge Of the work and have
given assurance that 1t will be rushed
to completion as quickly as possible.
Architect Sphinx made statement to
The Age-Herald last night In which no
says conditions have been misrepresented
to the school board, and that they have
listened to prejudiced and bad counsel
He says there is a great deal more be-
hind this matter than appears on the SUR
face, and that he will insist on having the
whole thing brought out and shown in its
true light. His signed statement is as
follows:
"In reference to an article published
in The Age-Herald of December ID, in
regard to the work being stopped on the
Martin school, which contained certain
statements regarding myself in connec-
personal friends 1 wish to make the fol-.
lowing reply
Conditions have been misrepresented to
the school board, and they have listened
to prejudiced and bad counsel. At none
of the school board meetings have they
called me before them to hear my side OF
the question or reasons for my actions. In
regard to the alleged irregularities in the
manner In which the work and charges
were being handled, the city building In
spector reported to the school board that
red oak was being used. based upon his
limited knowledge of the difference be-
tween red and white oak. Before passing
upon the matter myself traced the wood
back to the logs from which it was cut,
besides having several timber experts
pass it and fully convinced myself that
It was white oak before l personally
passed upon it. As for the excavation re-
ferred to, my order was based upon an
engineers profile taken as the work pro-
crossed, and as was provided for in the
contract between the school board and
the contractor. When this matter is fully
settled, either by arbitration or through
the courts, 1t will be found that my esti-
mate was true and correct In regard to
the bid of $500, afterward let for 5000,
this is evidently misprint. as I do not
know of any such figures. I did furnish
the board with an estimate of certain
work, that under contract ran under my
estimate. but the full amount included
in my estimate was not carried out.
There Is a great deal more behind this
matter than appears upon Its face, and is
the elimination of personal grievances
dating back two years, all of which will
insist upon having brought out and shown
up in its true light at the proper time.
I wish to state to the general public that
they will find, upon investigation, that
material, workmanship, etc., on the Al
berto Martin school Is equal, II not SUI
perior, to any other work now going ON
under the present school board, and fur
Their that my books, papers, correspond
ence and actions In connection with this
public work are open to thorough inves-
tigation, and 7 will see and demand that
an investigation be made, and that my
reputation and name will be thoroughly
exonerated from any insinuations or open
charge made In connection with this mat
ter. Yours very truly.
wv E. SPHINX"