Baxter Springs news., 1918-05-03
as most of them have been taken for
work by the Government.

as most Of them have been taken fo
work by the Government.
We were unable to take advantag
Of the supply of labor in the winte
and now, on account of the seasoI
and changed labor conditions, we can
not get the men at anything like tn
price figured in our bid. One firm
who had offered four months ago +,
bring ina large force of Mexicanl
and eXcavate much of the trench by
the cubic yard has withdrawn thu
price on account of the enforced de.
lay. Other people under contract tc
furnish us supplies and materials
have notified us that the unreason-
able delay has cancelled our contracts
and finally the bonding company has
forced this action on us.
The war clause in our contract pro-
vides against such conditions.
Knowing the needs of the city and
foreseeing some of the measures that
have recently been taken by the
Government we have endeavored, in
connection with the Engineer and
Council, to put all the money so far
spent into such work as will be Of
service to the city. Some work has
been built at the south outlet in or
der to clear some farming land and
ret away from high water.
We would call your attention to
the orders of Cecretary McAdoo and
other Government orders and sugges-
ions affecting such work and which
It seems to US should be given every
in view of the fact that
he sewer system here cannot be used
At this time if built.
The matter of our contract to fur
,ish vitrifed pipe on which we have
$4,000 feet of inch and
400 6-8 Us for the laterals, together
With all the pipe for the mains, we
cave to the City, as we believe in
Jew of the Governments order to
'ipe manufacturers of March 18th to
ut their production, and the further
act that there have been three in
reases in the price of this material
ecently, it would be we'll for the city
D let this contract stand as long as
'e can hold it for you. The attached
,tters are for your information.
Our attorneys have advised us that
or any work done after this abro-
alton we cannot force payment, and
lere is great doubt as to our liabil :
y insurance being effective, but in
venty-four years we have never left /
job in bad shape and we are not '
Ding to leave this one. We are 60 c
ig ahead with Main A to a point :
here it will serve the business, hotel h
nd and restaurant district and take d
chance on this Council paying for ;
Ie work. We have had mighty few 5
wsuits and never lost a nickle in 6
le. \
1t may be that in several months :,
year or two years-no man can b
II what to expect until the war is o
will be ready to go ahead
ith this work. If you feel that we c
e good builders and straight peo- D
e we will sign another contract with "
u to do this work at the same price C
divided conditions of labor and ma q
rials are the same as they were in
,tober IS, 1917, as the worst of the
ork is done.
We know that some day when the al
" gets the money we will be paid el
e contract amounts.
The Mayor, Council and City At H
rneys have done everything in their p
wer under difficulties in connect NJ
l with this work and both parties Ell
e simply victims Of the world war. "
e should be glad things are no NJ
'rse. We will take our loss with b.
complaining and the City has "
stained no real loss or unnecessary M
NJ
Respectfully submitted, Tn
The Plummer-Adams Company. "
Bl Will F. Plummer. III
Ii