The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-02-14
Contractor Todd's Version.

1Vuu EtGSIOus
At the meeting held Monday, among
other witnesses was A. W. Todd who
drew up the plans and made the "edu-
cational campaign. The testimony ap-
peared in The State and was about
as follows:
A. w. Todd was then sworn. Mr..
Todd said he had been an architect
for 50 years. He is member of the
general assembly. "NIr Bryan said
to me to go ahead with the work, but
| asked him as to his authority"
Mr. Todd then presented a written
statement which Mr.. Blackburn, on
being recalled, said he prepared at
the dictation of the governor. 1t is
dated July 26, 1911, and addressed
to Mr.. Bryan, authorizing the employ
ment of an architect in regard to the
State house as suggested in the mes
sage, and to employ an architect as
reasonably as possible, as he (the
governor) was sure that it was not
the intention Of the general assembly
to go to any considerable expense.
Mr. Todd then said he was asked as
to his idea of the toilet approaches. He
told them it would require comprc-
hcnsive. study, and later he appeared
before the committee and told the
members that the toilets would have
to be put on the inside, as he major
ity of the offices were dungeons, and
to meet the demands of the building
additions were necessary.
Sub committee Named.
1T was then moved" said Mr..
Todd, that a committee be appointed
to look into the matter. A resolution
was introduced and passed. | was
then told to go ahead with the plans
and | worked the whole year with eX-
perts on the matter. Then in Sep
tember i told the chairman that |
was ready, and the meeting was
called"
Mr. Todd then showed his plans
and produced pictures and the article
in The State September 28, describ-
ing the proposed building, which he
said was mailed to every member of
the general assembly.
The report, Mr.. Todd said, was
published in The State by the per-
mission Of the committee, and he
gave 1t to representative of The
State after permission was obtained
Travelling Expenses.
He told the committee that it was
not customary for an architect to
travel over state and solicit work
1t certainly had never been his pol
icy
Questioned as to the appropriation
of $1,000 for travelling Mir. Todd said:
THE governor said, That is hell
of an eXorbitant fee. / canvassed the
state for $3.50 when | ran for gov
ernor
MI Dixon said. But this is an cX.
traordinary affair and the governor
said the matter was with The com
mittee.
Il told them as to tho architect |
would work under fees as provided
by the American association ana the
resolution passed unanimously. We
appointed a COMMITTEES to draw M n
bill and there was objection to the
$l,OOOO00 plan. 1t was suggested
that the appropriation be made IN
annual installments Of 100000 each
The contract was drawn up in Char.
lesion"
When First Called.
Replying to Mr.. Gasque, he was
called on first at meeting of the
committee during the general assem-
bly, In 1911, and he was acting under
instructions of the general commit
tee under an oral contract.
Mr.. Todd then read the contract
He maintained that the phrase, "as
heretofore" implied that the com
mittee acknowledged that he was
employed. MIR. Todd explained the
plans, which he said he had spent
months on.
From what l hear I should have
required the contract year ago"
said Mr.. Todd.
Replying to MIR. Gasque, he said
he was in no competition, and under
the rules of the association the fees