Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-11
WANTS TO BID AGAIN
Contractor Asserts Too Much
Is Asked for Tech Addition.
SAYS DISTRICT WILL LOSE
Urges That New Proposals Be
Called For.
COULD BE DONE CHEAPER
Thomas II. Melton Claims That
Building Could Be Erected at Big
Saving Over Contract Price.
COULD BE DONE CHEAPER


Saving Over Contract Price.
Claiming that the District will lose
thousands of dollars by the Commission
ers' refusal to entertain a proposition
to guarantee the completion of the eX-
pensive' addition to the Mckinley Manual
Training School. Thomas H. Melton has
filed a letter with each of the Commits
Sioners, in which he claims that con-
tract has been awarded to a bidder who
has not given the lowest figures. Eight
thousand dollars at least could be saved,
according to Mr.. Melton, and he men
tons also that $4,000 could be saved by
still another contractor who offered to
do the work. The letters were all re-
ce1ved by the Commissioners yesterday.
Mr.. Melton asked that the work be re-
advertised. Commissioner Judson said
yesterday that he did not think this re-
quest would be granted.
Mr. Melton said last night that he
| would probably take no further steps
IN the matter, although he believes ne
could make unpleasantress with man
damuS. However, whether the contractor
makes trouble or not, 1t is assured that
the board Of education will take that
statement of a possible saving Of $S.OOo
not taken advantage Of and Will wave
it like red flag at the Commissioners.
at the municipal architect and at every
one who says anything about 'extrav-
agance in the schools.
Mr.. Melton's Statement.
The entire statement appears in the
letter from Mr.. Melton to the Commits
sioners, and is as follows:
ION November q, 1910. pursuant to
| advertisement. bids were received and
publicly opened for the construction of
the third addition to the Mckinley Man
ual Training School.
1.-The bid of the company receiving the
contract. all things considered. is to do
the work in eight months for $104, $50.
My bid. all things considered. is to do
the work in nine months for 1888, 80.
1T thus appears that the bid which
made is the lowest received, and as the
specifications expressly allowed the con-
tractor nine months within which to do
the work before any penalization accrues.
| it will be seen that my bid, in addition
| to being low, is in strict accordance with
the time limit fixed by the municipal
authorities.
Against my bid numerous protests and
objections were raised and presented by
| the other company. All questions, how
ever, of irregularity or lnformality were
| submitted by the assistant engineer, Capt.
| Markham, to the corporation counsel,
who conducted a full hearing thereon,
and there after rendered an opinion in
| writing. holding in effect that my bid
| was regular, and not defective, and could
| properly be considered upon it's merits
! and it's face
Why Lowest Bid Was Ignored.
| Thereafter, regardless Of the facts
above stated, the Engineer Commissioner
| announced his intention of awarding the
contract to the other company, regard
| less of the fact that my bid was the low
est. The reason assigned in support of
this action was. in substance. as fol-
| lows: That the question of time is con-
| trolling feature or factor, and since the
| rendition of the corporation counSelS
| opinion in the case, the other company
| have indicated their willingness to guar
antee the completion of the work within
| eight months under penalzation far
| heavier than that prescribed in the speci-
| fications and which was taken into con-
| sideration by other bidders. No OPP
| pOrtunity has been afforded to me or to
| other bidders to thus modify their or my
| bids. and the Engineer Commissioner has
| refused to entertain the proposition from
| me to the effect that I would guarantee
to complete the work within eight months
| at d lower price and under a penaGZa-
| ton greater even than that offered by the.
| other company.
| 1T is submitted that if the specifica-
| tons were at all to be departed FROM
| that equal and like opportunity should be
/ given by the Engineer Commissioner to
me as lowest bidder. to meet or equal or
exceed the present offers of the other
company.
Bids Could Be Made Lower.
1.-THE specifications in this case upon
which bids We're invited were extremely
confusing ones, and it was not known by
your subscriber or by several of the other
bidders just what was meant or just what
would be required by those specifications
for instance. in SO far as the heating ap-
pardtuS was concerned. In the light of
the information developed in the hearings
before Capt. Markham and the corpora
ton counsel, however, all Of the bidders
row realize and recognize that the speci-
hcations rendered possible very ma
terial reduction in price in order to sat
isfy the requirements of the District. 1t
is therefore stated to be fact that, in
the light of the recent development and
in view of what the engineer authorities
now state, they will require as Well as
expect, a reduction of at least 5000 on
the contract price can be made and will
be made from the price named in my bid
Another contractor, whose name will be
furnished if desired, states that he can
reduce that price nearly $4,000
And it is understood unofficially that
1t is the intention of the other company
and the engineer department of the Dis
trlct to incorporate in the contract such d
reduction of contract price as the other
company may be able to make along the
same lines.
Readvertising for Bids Urged.