The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-04
ALLEN WRITES ON
 CONTRACT FOR NEW
 BESSEMER BUILDING

To the Editor of The Age-H Herald:
 In your valuable paper of November 22 the board of revenue stated among other things that they had let the contract for the new courthouse tc the Evans Brothers Construction com. pany.
 On December 10, through your pa per, l. as a taxpayer, asked the board for some information regarding the letting of this contract. On December F President Gwin stated through your paper that he was getting the data together in connection with the award ing of this contract.
 Now, Mir. Editor, the board must have been short on data regarding tine Bessemer courthouse contract, as Jere Gwin and some of his friends, both male and female, called many of my clients to inquire into my mode of doing work, as on the night of De- cember IA I was called to the phone by a gentleman, who said: "Mr. All len, Jere Gwin called me today and asked if you had done some work for me and also what you charged me and if the work was satisfactory and many other questions; and sfter I had answered them I thought possibly I should not have given him this in- formation. so just called you to ex- plain"
 I told the gentleman that Jere was getting up his courthouse data and it was right to answer his questions. I then resumed the reading of my even ing paper and in less than 30 minutes was called to the phone again by another of my clients who said: MT. Allen. a fellow called me today and asked all about you doing work for us and after I had answered him I asked who it was that was talking and he said 1t was Jere Gwin. So just called to ask if I had made any mistake in giving him this informa- ton"
 But I told him it was all right as was sure Jere needed some data. Now, MT. Editor, you can imagine my surprise when in less than 30 minutes was again called. to the phone and this time by a lady client of mine. who said: "Mr. Allen, lady just called me and asked If you had done some work for me and I told her you had She then asked if the work was satisfactory and I told her it was. She then talked a while and asked if l had other work to do would I give it to you and I told her most posi- lively would"
 Now, Mr. Editor, after several calls during that day and these three calls the same night I realized what q tight I had the board of revenue in, How ever, I asked my lady client who the lady was that called her and she said if was Mrs -. I then told my lady client that while l did not know the lady. that at the earnest solicitation of her husband I had not only voted for her but worked hard to help elect her to her present office.
 Now, MT. Editor, claim that when board of revenue composed of five men. elected to transact the countys $ business. will resort to these tactics to cover up their improper dealings they should every one be impeached.
 I also notice in you paper of Decem- Der 16 that Jere Gwin says Evans Brothers Construction company has given bond to protect the county, and when l called for a bond or even an application for a bond, the entire board with Rufe Bivens absent. answered that an inspection of our contract with Evans Brothers Construction company. which is on record in the Bessemer of- fee, will convince any fair minded cit izen that the county is protected
 Now, MT. Editor, I have complete copy not only of this contract but also u copy of the proposition from Evans