The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1915-04-01
IRREGULARITIES IN
LETTING CONTRACT
FOR BARN CHARGED
CITY COUNCIL HEARD
GRAVE ALLEGATIONS AS
TO OPENING OF BIDS
FOR CITY STABLES
CONTRACTOR SAYS
BID TIPPED OFF"
To Rival Contractor Who Then
Withdrew His Own Bid and
Altered is--Fisticaf in
Meeting


sons TO believe that a bid which he
mad submitted for the building of the
city's proposed now barn had been
tampered with prior to the hour at
which sealed bids we're opened by
special committee Tuesday night last
and his figure given away to; rival
contractor, who then withdrew hi
own bid and revised the figures .,
that they would come below the bid
submitted by Johnson, thereby win
ming the contract for the building
Of the barn.
Alderman j. e. Barton, chairman
OF the special committee which re-
ceiveG and opened bids and made
the award OF the contract last Tues
day night to c.. B. Pruitt, resented
The insinuation made by Mr.. Johnson,
and told him that IL he intended to
throw out the insinuation that he
(Alderman Barton) had tampercd
with the johnson bid he was a liar.
Mr.. Johnson In turn rescnted Alder
man Barton's remark, anE the two
clashed on the floor OF council. In
the melee Alderman BaBtoa was
struck one,> blow in the forehead,
which broke the skin and raised q
considerable sized knot. Apparently.
JOuubOu was HUI 6GtuCh
the alteration.
bers Of council had separated Alder
man Barton and MIR. Johnson the
allegations made by Mr.. johnson
were taken up and investigated. Afte'
listening to considerable testimon.
on the matter council sent for Act
ing City Attorney Ernest .Coch
ran, who was asked IL the award made
by the coromittee appointed to re
ceivc bids for this barn and aware
the contract was a valid award. The
acting city attorney did not care to
give ruling on this point OFF hand
SO the contract is Is in position
statu quo until the law on this poin.
can be examined. It is probable that
ut the regular meeting cf council
next Tuesday night the city attorne.
VIII report on this matter aiid IN,
contract question will be definite
ly settled,
Allegation Heard.
AS generally known, city council
some time ago sod at public auction
the old wooden barn OF the city. The
structure was torn down and q few
weeks ago committee was appoint.
ed to draw plaus and specifications
advertise for bids and let the contract
for the erection of new barn on
the site of the old one. This special
committee consists or Aldermen Bar.
ton, chairman, Tate and Carter. The
committee advertised for bids for the
eonstructicn of the barn. and last
Tuesday evening met at:tie city hall
and opened a number OF sealed bids
which had been submitted by yafious
contractors. Bids were opened a,
the appointed hour, and the contract
awarded to Charles B.. Pruitt. whose
bid was for so .265. S s AZ
A special meeting Of city council
was called yesterday morning to be
held at 3 o'clock that afternoon. AT
this hour all members OF council, w.
w. Johnson and other private citi-
zens were present. After the mayor
had Stated that the meeting had been
called Cor the purpose OF hearing al
Legations from w. w Johnson 10 {he
efiect that there had been some if-
Irregularities in the letting of the con.
tract for the city barn, Mr.. Jbhns0n |
was asked tg take the floor end state |
big case TO council.
4 Mr. Johnson began his statement
by saying that he had every reason |
to believe that the bid he made on |
the city barn had been given away By |
someone, he did not know by whoa. |
He said that he made out his bid at the
oiiice OF the W, Il. Brissey Lumber
company ana tarAei It over to Chairs
man p. Barton or the barn com.
nittee last Monday siorning, Mr.
dohnspn said that he -was not aware |
Tuesday night after the awarding Of |
the contract tha. there WAS reason TO