Evening journal., 1914-08-14
NO MONEY YET FOR
BRIDGE WORKMEN
Storm Levy Court Again
Today for Relief, But Are
Disappointed
CONTRACTOR OFFERS
TO FINISH WORK

A score or more of employees Of
the Atlas Bridge Company, who have
received no pay since July IL for
work done on the Third street bridge
gathered at the Court House this
morning to attend the special meet
ing Of the Levy Court The object
o. the meeting was to unravel the
difficulty due to the check drawn by
the court in favor OF the Atlas Bridge
Company for S2,6O0 and which is
held by the Farmers Bank on a note
alleged to have been endorsed by the
bridge company for the Horrigan
Contracting Company, the original
bridge contractors, which is now
bankrupt
Prior to the meeting the Levy
Court Commissioners in open session,
held another star chamber" meet
ing In the Grand Jury room.
When the commissioners arrived at
the Court House, the wcrkmen stop
ped them, Commissioner Gooding
Being in conference with them for
some time.
One of the workmen struck the
keynote by saying: "We understand
all about why we have not received
our money, but our landlords,
grocers. wives and children. who look
to us for food. don't. If there is any
justice upon the statutes of Delaware
or in the hearts of men we should
be given at least a part Of the wages
we have earned"
None of the commissioners at
tempted to explain what message
should be carried back to those who
look to the workmen for support.
Contractors who have submitted
bids for constructing the old State
cad near st. Georges and the Black
bird road, who were present, COM
/ planned bitterly OF the delay in
awarding the contracts.
Just as the hands OF the clock
reached 11.30. the commissioners filed
into the room from the secret con-
ference. President Hollingsworth
called the meeting to order with all
members present except Mr.. Groves.
Just as the roll call was made Com
missioner Burris made a motion that
court adjourn until o'clock, saying
Philip J.. Garrett, an attorney, desired
to confer with the bridge committee.
| Tile motion was made IN a low tone OF
voice. and after being carried, Messrs,
Fouracre, Burris and Gooding, ac-
companied by Mr.. Garrett, went to
the Grand Jury room.
When the commissioners returned e
/ the court room it was learned that the
court had received an offer from an en-
gineering company to complete the work
on the bridge, using the equipment anC
material OF the Atlas Bridge Co.; anC
guaranteeing to free the county from
litigation on the part of the Alta
Bridge Co, and che company which fur
nished the bond for the contractors. Th'
members of the bridge committee were
given complete copy Of the agreement
which was offered by Philip L. Garrett
representing }. NJ. Thompson, an engin.
eering expert on bridge work. The stip'
ulation was that the Levy Court pay 10
per cent above the contract price Of the
Atlas Bridge Co., and for this, it was
agreed. that the commissioners would be
free of litigation, which it is prophesied
will be costly TO the county.
Tho agreement was examined by Com
missioners Bnrris, FOurace and GOoding
Of the Bridge Committee during the Sc
cret session which they held in the room
used by the grand jury.
Mr.. Garrett explained that Mr.. Thomp
son had a thoroughly comprehensive
knowledge of the muddle and had ex
perience of 80 years. Members of the
Bridge Committee guarded this offel
with much secrecy and other members
Of the court were ignorant of il until
Mr.. Burris told them that such a prop
osition had been made and questioned
them as TO the advisability of making
it public.
II is expected that the subject will bs
threshed out again this afternoon.