Evening journal., 1914-08-15
SHAKE FISTS OVER
ROAD WORK AWARD
Contractor Burk Protests in
Levy Court Because Contract
Goes to Higher Bidder
LOCAL CONTRACTORS
GIVEN PREFERENCE

For several minutes yesterday af-
ternoon, the special session of the
Levy Court was in an uproar during
which fists we're shaken under noses
and personal remarks we're passed
between Levy Court Commissioner
Fouracre and Joseph F. Burk, of
the firm of Burk and Bonham, ROAD
builders of Paterson, n, ]. The TIT
occurred following the awarding OF
the contract for the constitution OF
the road leading from Boyd's Corners
70 the town of St. Georges. On mo-
ton of Mr.. Fouracre the contract for
his road was awarded to Stewart
and Donohue, of this city, for $780,
7S6, following which Mr.. Burk jump
ed to his feet saying:
"Mr Chairman, ] protest against
this outrage and wish to know by
what authority the bid is awarded TO
Stewart and Donohoe when their bid
Is not acceptable to the county engi-
neer, as he has told me, and when
there were other bids far below their
bid 4 have the lowest bid in each
contract and | have complied with
every requirement and specification" +"
Mr.. Fouracre shook his fist and
shouted:
Il want you to know there is no
man living whom / fear. This man
has walked up and down this corri-
dor, day after day. He has even made
threats against me- He has said that
be will tell the newspapers certain
things about the way we award our
bids"
As Burk attempted to rise again
several of the commissioners shout
ed you sit down." and Commits
sioner Burris added to the uproar as
Burk attempted to present his plea
Tor a fair hearing. He was finally
permitted to say:
Il am not a Delawarean, but fol
the benefit of the people of this
county, ! want them to know just
how bids are awarded here regard
Jess of the disapproval of the count.
Engineer"
Mr.. Fouracre again interrupted
You threatened to expose this thinl
10 the newspapers and now go aheaC
and do it,"
IF the newspapers wish TO see the
tabulations of those bids and see in
plain numerals how low bids were
thrown out / shall be glad to show
them, and perhaps the taxpayers Of
this county may be interested also,
replied Burke. His voice was ther
drowned by the uproar and amid
shouts and laughter, the bid of Stew
art and Donahue was unanimously
accepted at the figures of S32,7s6.
Mr.. Burris turned to Burk with /;
laugh and said THAT is the way W,
do things over here. You are not il
New Jersey now"
"No. we don't play favorites over il
New Jersey and the people over theri
wouldn't stand for this sort of raw
work." retorted Burk.
Il believe in keeping our work righ
here at home" said Burris. you fel
lows never did give us a show owe
In New Jersey. l want the work don
by home people, even if it does cos
little more"
Burk inquired, "If this is public in
formation, may l ask on what type o
paving that this work is awarded to
high bidder"
Go find out from the newspapers,
replied Fouracre.
Court was then adjourned amid
great deal of confusion which wa
ECded TO by the presence of the un
employed bridge workers who wer
skeptical of the promises that the
would receive their wages today an
who believed that the uproar ha
something to do with their case. Bur
went to the entrance OF the Coul
House and awaited the appearance {
Commissioner Fouracre and when tn
latter approached, the contracto
said. "Mr. Fauracre. l want to as
you what type of road a contract wa
awarded on"
Mr.. Fouracre replied: TRAP roc
and Howellville binding"
well, the difference there alone.
1852 higher than my bid" remarkt
Burk He then attempted TO remin
Commissioner Fouracre of the roat
over which the commissioner hs
ridden on New Jersey jaunts. whiC
the firm of Burk and Bonham hs
built. Mr.. Fouracre replied:
don't say that you are not a goS
road builder, but | Travelled so mil,
last night after a friend of mine call,
me on the phone and repeated threa
alleged to have been made by you"
Burk said Il did not say that yC
were crooked. but I did say that
|h"ught l had no show with 20