Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-05
GOVERNMENT SE|zEs
C|TY'S SUPPLY OF STEEL
Contractor for Aviation Warehouse
Conflscates Bars Used on Shockoe
Creek Construction.
CITY CONTRACT DELAYED
Boiling Reports to Administrative
Board-Impossible to Get Gravel
to Complete Job Of Concrete Work
Walling In Sewer.
CITY CONTRACT DELAYED

Indefinite delay in the completion Of
certain work on Bacons Quarter
Branch. which has been under way for
many months in connection with the
general Improvement work on Shockoe
Creek. is threatened as result of the
seizure by government contractors of
large quantity of structural steel
bars used in re-enforced concrete
work. This material was confiscated
recently by John 7. Wilson & Co.. the
contractors for the new government
aviation warehouse now under con-
struction TO the east of Richmond. on
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and
the Osborne Turnpike.
The matter was brought to the at
tention OF the Administrative Board
yesterday by City Engineer Boiling, in
connection with request from Elkans
& Tufts. the contractors, for an ex-
| tension of time on their contract be-
cause Of circumstances beyond their
control. After considering the prob
lem at length. members of the board
found there was no action they could
take to relieve the situation. Efforts
will be made. however, because of the
urgency Of the work. to have it COM
pleted az quickly as possible.
WILSON SEXES STEEL BARS
ON GOVERNMENT ORDER
In their request for an extension of
| time. the contractors said no headway
can be made on the contract without
the steel bars for reinforcing the
concrete work. and they were unable
to state definitely when moro material
can be obtained. For this reason they
declared that 1t would be impossible
to complete the work on November /.
as provided for by their contract. The
contractors asserted that John T. Will
son G. Co.. acting upon order from
the engineer in charge of the ware
house construction. copy OF which
| order accompanied their letter. had
seized the steel bars as they lay along
the creek bank. but had promised TO
replace them piece by piece" at the
earliest possible moment.
City Engineer Boiling declared that
the action of the Federal contractors
in conhscating this material had been
"high-handed." He said that the city
had already made advances to the con-
tractors on this work. and, therefore.
the steel material was the property
| OF the city.
| COMAIANDEERING MATERIAL
WHEREVER 1T CAN BE FOUND
Mfr. Boiling declared that John T.
Wilson G. Co. had visited all parts of
the city. and wherever any material
! that could be- used in constructing the
warehouse was found, 1t was immedi-
ately commandeered for government
purposes. with promises. to return it
as quickly az possible.
Elkans & Tufts are the second con-
tractors to undertake the walling in
of Bacon's' Quarter Branch, the first
concern having forfeited it's contract on
the ground that 1t was losing money
and could not afford to continue the
work. Since they are under bond to
complete the job on November l. un-
der penalty for every additional day
required. they sought an extension of
time in protection to themselves be-
cause of circumstances over which
they have no control
Members of the board told the City
Engineer to carry out the contract
strictly, declaring that any other ac-
tion, on their part would result vir-
tually in It's abrogation. On the other
hand. they said there was nothing
they could do. since the government
had full authority to seize anything
needed for It's work in connection with
the war.
CAN FILE CLAIMS FOR Loss
BY REASON OF CONFISCATIoN
1t was pointed out. however. that
the contractors could file a claim for
damages for any loss suffered by them
as a result Of the confiscation OF the
paaterisl, and this action will probably
| be taken.
Another part Of the general i'm
provement In this section Is being held
up for lack Of gravel, which the con-
tractors are unable-to obtain. Only
four carloads are needed. the City En-
GINGER said, to complete the contract,
but the government recently took over
the gravel pits Of c. P. Lathrop &
Co., from which the city had been
securing It's supply, and no more gravel
Is obtainable. Several other dealers In
gravel have promised the necessary
(coptinusd on Second PagA)