The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-28

'iic Sdiie lHAelllneOH specifications We're
| no so required, and never have been.
1t is impossible now to ascertain the
loEs There is no evidence TO show
now many sewer basins have been put
! IN complete. We know the city fur
nished stone for hirty-eisht. costing
! 1858, when contractors had agreed to
! furnish stone, and some of the basins
are not yet completed though fully
paid for. Those thirtyeigh basins
represent six out of thirty eight con-
tracts. -
On IN average OF six basins to the
contract on each of the forty-seven
| lnterllned contracts. there We're re-
CURED 2S2 basins. with stone at $3.50
per set, which the contractors were
under agreement 10 furnish, but did
not furnish. and which the city has
either furnished or must now supply
to complete the work. making cost
on this average of s4,s35. How long
this had been going on we do no,
know.
The mistakes Of characterization
! show q deplorable state Of affairs
and involve large sums, and ere ad
mittedly due to having been made
hurrieoly. There was an error of 60 in
stead Of 81 cents per cubic yard an
entry of 1000 bricks, instead q,
1920: an allowance for 4,200S, house
connections, when there were hut
SO. and contract made up for $500
which was afterwards executed for
SI9l7 Your employees should be care
tul and competent men, and if the city
IS not paving enough, or has not
enough men in the office, the condi-
ton should be altered You will save
money in efficiency and in confidence
In the service rendered.
Roiiing's Reply.
Mr.. Boiling, in reply, admitted that
the indictment was a serious one, but
thought that some parts OF the evil
oence had been greatly exaggerated
The investigation. he thought, would
! in some ways result in improved con
diuons in the office. 1t was admitted
that the errors had been made in the
sewer which was finally awarded 10
Contractor Burton, to whom it be-
longed. The mistakes. while unfor-
tunate, according to Mr. Boiling had
harmed no one. No contract was exc
cuteI save the one to Mr. Burton. The
mistakes OF calcula ton he held were
due TO great pressure of work, and he
repeated that they were first brought
to his attention by Mr.. Stratton. Of
the office, and that no claim of error
vas brought TO him, directly or indi !
rectly, by Mr.. Burton or from any
source outside of his office, and thar
no assistant reported any such outside
complaint to him. and he did not know
OF Mr.. Burton's complaint until sum
moned to the Mayors office.
Inc street basins are a small part
OF the whole work" said Mr. Boiling.
Al the contractors save the two Bur
tons say they never bid to furnish
stone, and If they had known thew
| would be required to supply it. they
would have increased their bids fol
| brick stacks. The prices were reason
able where the stone vas not fur
nished
| Confidence In Bolton.
AS to why they were not required
! 10 furnish stone, q S called for in their
contracts. cannot answer. Mr.. Boil
ton mad entire charge of sewer work.
believe he did what he thought was
! eight, and within his rights but hjs
lips are sealed. The contract says
! that the engineer In charge shall be
me arbitrator In case OF any dispute
between the city and contractor as TO
The interpretation Of the contract ]
/ believe Mr.. Bolton thought ne had full,
power to do what he considered RICH,
and fair, and he may have decided II
not just to make them furnish stone
when 1t was evident they had not bid
TO supply It from their prices. Had he
come TO me with such report / would
nave approved 1t and recommended it
20 the Street Committee, in order to
make no hardship on a Contractor who
has bid In good faith.
Deducting the single item Of stone.
IN not single instance last year was
&C. Burton the lowest bidder, and he
could not have lost contracts by eason
OF including the stone In his bids. EN-
animation Of the books shows al, M
$1o.I5 OF what the city paid out LAST
year for stone accounted for, and am
confident II AFR. Bolton were living he
could explain even that s7o.75. Mr..
Burton was never deprived Of anv cor
tract to which he was entitled. and
has never furnished any stone, and
therefore no Injustice has been done
him.
One Reform Already.
THE discussion has brought one re-
form. however. have directed that
but one man hereafter handle specif-
| cations and issue proposal forms to
! bidders. That duty has been assigned