The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-21
BOARD RECEIVES
KICK IN SILENCE
But Members Listen Patiently to
Broad Street MERCHANTS
Who Enter Protest.
NO SMOOTH PAVING GIVEN
Work Ends at Third Street, and
Bidders Certified Check Is
Ordered Returned.
NO SMOOTH PAVING GIVEN

A large delegation of Broad Street
merchants, representing tho Retail
Merchants Association, appeared be-
fore the Administrative Board yester-
day to protest against the failure to
provide funds for II continuation of
smooth paving in Broad Street The
merchants were given what Chairman
Whittet described as n patient hear
ing, but received no assurance that the
board would reconsider any of the
awards it has made for paving in other
sections of the city. J. G. Corley was
chairman of the protesting delegation
and was aided by Samuel Cohen, T. a.
DIETRICH. Fred Jurgens. Moses Thai
himer.. w. II. Schwarzschild l.. Q. Mil
Ter, Carl Boschen and Secretary w. a.
Clarke. Jr., of the Retail Merchants
Association. each of whom spoke
briefly.
Work Was Promised.
The merchants insisted that they had
been fully assured when the budget
was adopted, with lump sum OF
$4,000 for streets. not specified as
to items. rs has heretofore been the
custom. that provision was included
therein for continuing the smooth paw
ing Of Broad Street to Jefferson Street
and they had rested secure in that be-
lief until informed through the press
that the funds had been apportoncd
for paving in other sections of the
city. The merchants explained that
they were not present in connection
with the protest of w. S. Goodwin, OF
the Barber Asphalt Paving Company,
who claimed that the award made Tor
Randolph street was to other than the
lower bidder. The matter of the
awards and quality OF paving was FOR
the Administrative Board to deter
mine The object Of their visit was
TO protest against tho diversion of the
funds intended for Broad Street to any
other locality. however desirable paw
ing might be elsewhere.
Defends Randolph street.
Deputy High Constable Howard Hes
lip appeared to defend randolph street
and to oppose the suggestion thrown
ont that the board rescnd or defer It's
award on that street. amounting to
$4,000, and use the money for Broad
Street where there Is ton times as
much traffic. where taxes are ten times
as high, and where ten times as many
PEOPLE would get the benefit. AS Ran
dolph Street is the main thoroughfare
TO two cemeteries. all speakers admit
ted that IT should he put in order as
soon as possible. the only question be-
ing whether. under the circumstances.
Broad Street was not entitled to the
preference.
After hearing the committee at
length, the board went on with other
business. without taking any action
with reference TO the awards already
n.au9 Tor paving. Inc contracts nave
not yet been signed, the action of the
board on Monday in awarding the CON
tracts carrying the Instructions to the
city Engineer and City Attorney to
prepare and submit suitable written
contracts covering each job. and these
will be ready for the signatures of
Chairman Whittet in day or two. af
ter which the contractors will begin
work at once.
Will Not Rcscind Award.
That the board has no idea OF re-
,cinding it's order for smooth paving
Randolph Street is shown by a subse-
iquent resolution yesterday directing the
City Engineer to reset the curbs on
both sides OF Randolph Street from
Cary Street 10 the cemeteries, and in
structinG the Superintendent OF the
Gas and Water Departments to make
necessary house connections. and the
Virginia Railway and Power Company
to make track alterations at the in
tersection of Ashland Street at once.
Chairman Whittet stated after the
meeting that he hoped some way would
By found out Of the difficulty. so that
the Broad Street work could be re-
sumed shortly and carried on for two
or three blocks. even If the way were
not open to continue the paving to JEFF
ferson street, at first proposed.
Certified Check Returned.
City Engineer Boiling laid before the
board n letter from the Washington
Asphalt Block and Tile Company ask
ing what action the board would take
in regard to the smooth paving of
Broad Street. That company had the
contract FOR the work from Tenth to
Third Street. and submitted a bid on
February II for continuing the work
to Jefferson Street at the same price
per square yard. while Its machinery
was in place. The board instructed
the City Engineer to notify the paving
company that the Broad Street matter
was held in allegiance for the present
and to return to that company It's GER
tilted check for $1,000. submitted with
its bid.
| In connection with the paving con-
tract awarded on Monday for improve
ment OF Leigh Street from Eombardy
| to Dineen Street the board directed
the city Engineer to proceed with this
work at once, as the board Is Of the
| opinion that 1t is not necessary to
assess damages the changes In grade
not being material. The Virginia Rail
way and Power Company was notified
to make proper track reconstruction
| in this street at once
| Suit Dismissed.
An order was entered yesterday in tho