The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-10-01
Model Block Contract With
Home Builders Not Ac-
cording to instructions,
Protests Alfred Bavis.
PACT CALLS FOR s414
President Declares IF Board
Without Power Resigna-
tions Would Save City
Amount of Salaries.

A lively dispute over the refusal OF
the members of the board OF public
works to sign a contract In connection
with improvements for the "model
block" in the Reeveston addition,
featured the board session today. The
contract was drawn up by City Attor-
ney Bond and has been signed by the
Richmond Home Builders company
and the Home Telephone company.
The board members refused to place
their signatures to the contract be-
cause 1t bound the city to pay out
about $500 more than the board had
anticipated paying. Mr.. Bond insist
ed that he prepared the contract from
memorandum secured from the board
itself. This the board members and
superintendent Kleinknecht of the
municipal plant denied.
The board members objected to
provision in the contract which re-
quired the city to meet the expense OF
placing the city plant cables In the
conduit along the model block,
North Nineteenth street, amounting to
$40. Board members contended that
the agreement they had entered lnto
with the Home Builders company pro-
vided that the entire cost OF the var
ious improvements on this block was
to be borne by the company. Presi-
dent Bavis said the city was willing
to pay the difference between the cost
of an overhead wiring system, used in
every residential district, and the con-
duit system, which would amount to
sos, according to superintendent
Kleinknecht's estimates.
Not Responsible for Bond.
Attorney Wilfred Jessup, represent
ing the Home Builders company, re-
marked that 1t was peculiar state of
affairs when the board would refuse
to approve a contract it had had its
own attorney prepare, which brought
forth the caustic comment from Mr..
Bavis that the board was not RESPONSE
BILE If the city attorney had incorrectly
drafted the contract. Mr.. Bond then
contract as he had been advised to by
the board.
"The Home Builders and the tele-
phone company have acted in good
faith in this matter" exclaimed Mr..
Jessup. "Now who will we turn to
for final action on the part of the
city,"
you will turn to the board Of pub
lie works, which is vested with author
ity to act, as you we'll know" retorted
Mr.. Bavis. The board president then
|sarcastically remarked that if the
board was to become a nonentity it
was time for its members to resign
and save the public money now being
paid out to them for salaries.
Disagrees With Bavis.
Mr.. Jessup insisted that the cable
which was to be placed In the con.
duit could not be considered as a part
Of the permanent Improvement. "The
Home Builders have made all the i'm
provements at it's own expense includ.
ing a conduit the city can use with
out expense to increase the revenue
of it's own plant. Now to further aid
you in securing this additional bust
ness you want us to pay the cost OF
the necessary CABLE" Mr.. Jessup said
II disagree with your argument
exclaimed Mr.. Bavis. "All extraordt
nary expenses must be regarded in
the nature of permanent improve.
ments. To provide underground wir.
ing in this district is an extraordinary
expense and the city will refuse to
pay more than what 1t would cost to
secure this business in the ordinary
manner, by an aerial system"