Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-04
IN NEW HOME SOON
Contract Let by Association OF
Oldest Inhabitants
ONE BIDDER HAS PLANT
Member of Association Was Ambi-
tious to Do the Work.
VALUABLE RELICS RECEIVED
Historical Daguerreotypes and Re
ceipts Signed by Mayors of Wash
ington-Mr. Rudolph Lauded.
VALUABLE RELICS RECEIVED

Work of remodelins the home of the
Association of Oldest Inhabitants in
the old Union fire engine house. at 18th
and II streets northwest. will be under
taken at once. following the report of
the building committee. announcing
the awarding of the contract for the
work and the adoption of plans. at a
meeting Of the assoc iation last even
ing in the Corcoran building.
incidentally the report Of the build
ing committee. submitted by Benjamin
A Colonna. treasurer, precipitated one
of the most dramatic scenes ever wit
messed in the history of the association:
B. D. Drane, a member of the building
committee. and carpenter, criticised
his co-workers on the committee al
leging his plans and suggestions were
ignored, and that Notwithstanding the
fact his plans were better than those
adopted, and that several of the men
he would have employed to do the
work had been awarded the contract
are members Of the association, his bid
was not accepted
Four Bids Received.
Four bids were received by the com
mittee, ranging from $3.50 to 81 ,62i, the
latter the figure of Lee Hammer. which,
Mr.. Drane explained, was only 1927 lower
than his bid. Mr.. Drane dwelt upon the
great interest he had in the association
and it's plans to improve its home, how
he had worked diligently to obtain sub
scriptions to the fund, how it had been
his ambition to do the work that it might
stand as a monument to his memory
Judge Charles S. Bundy of the building
committee in replying said he was
deeply panied at the outburst of Mr..
Drane and had no intinlation, although
he had talked with MIR. Drane the day
previous. that the latter felt as he evil
IDENTIFY did in the matter. Judge Bundy
reminded the association it had required
the building committee to call for com
pettive bids. that this had been done to
the letter, that Mr. Drane, DIS a bidder
had all the advantages of those Compel
ing with him and was present at the
opening OF the bids He spoke of his
raid tribute to his worth and character.
but declared the committee was obligated
TO accept the lowest bid.
Will Push the Work.
Mr.. Hammer, the successful bidder was
introduced TO the association by Mr.. Co
lonna, who explained that Mr.. Hammer
would today give bond in the sum of
S1OD to complete the work by July l.
Mr.. Colonna said the contractor would
start getting his materials on the ground
today, and that the building would not
be dismantled first, but that the work of
construction would be KEEP: apaCc with
the necessary work Of demolition
The report of the building committee
further set forth that there is now in
the building fund the sum OF Sal 30
and an outstanding unpaid subscription
10 ~ ,cEn ~,
to the Metropolitan National Bank was
Endorsed by the association.
The finance committee, which has had
under consideration recommendations for
the smplification of the methods Of con-
trolling the finances of the organization
made no report last night, but on the
suggestion Of President Moves the com
mittee was invested with authority to
proceed with fuller powers and wider
scope to consider the constitution and by
laws and make its report in the autumn
on recommendations for changes in the
governing rules, not confined to questions
of finance, but covering the whole ground
of the associations laws 1t was directed
that the recording secretary examine the
minutes and submit to the committee the
rules as they stood at last publication
with the changes and amendments that
nave since been made. In order that it
can intelligently recommend revisions
when called upon in the fall
Elected Vice President.
An application for membership from
Fred w. kahlert, president of the Vet
eran Volunteer Firemen's Association,
was read, and Mr.. kahlert was trans
ferred from the associate to the active
list Of members and unanimously elected
to fill the vacancy existing in the vice
presidents. Mr.. kahlert thanked the as
ISOLATION for its action. declaring lie great
~ appreciated what he regarded as one
Of the highest honors ever bestowed upon
him.
| Judge Charles S. Bundy took occasion
to commend the attitude of Commissioner
Cuno II. Rudolph regarding the aims and
objects of the association, and introduced
a resolution, which met with unanimous
favor, providing the thanks OF the aSso-
citation be extended to Commissioner Rl-
dolph for the interest he has manifested
in the new home, for his substantial CON
tribution to the building fund and for his
uniformly courteous demeanor toward
members OF the association in their deal
| ings with him. The corresponding secre-
tary was authorized to transmit the reso-
lutions to Commissioners Rudolph.
Have Historic Value.
Vice President Andrew n Raglan an