Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-03-06

lv so in this case, because of the drastic
changes that were to be made III the style
and character of the building from an
architectural standpoint, including, among
other things, rs stated above, lowering the
nsof on building of that size, and prob
ably facing the present structure with a
new wall Because OF this, we felt that it
would be difficult to get bids that would
not err, either on the side of being too high
for the county, or too low To warrant the
builder in properly carrying out the work.
We, therefore, adopted the plan OF having
the work done on n commission basis,
on which plan the county would pay the
actual cost of the work. plus a reasonable
commission to the builder. We, therefore,
requested each bidder to furnish the archl-
tect with a list of the names of his sub
bidders, and of the amount of the bid OF
each, as we'll rs with his estimate OF the
cost of the labor. We felt that, not only
because of the character of the work, but,
also, because of the present abnormal con-
ditions, this would he the safest way. OF
insuring the best work at reasonable
cost TO the county. To avoid an excessive
cost. however, we asked that the bids IN
cludc maximum figure, beyond which no
expense would be charged TO the county.
In response to our request Tor bids, we
received the following, which include the
cost of installing the heating plant
James 4. Hrons, Dover Del, So, ,263.
Lon W. Clifton. Dover. Del, $79,295.
Myers & Son, Philadelphia, Pa, 500, ,S24
Ballingcr & Co, Philadelphia, Pa,
SS9.O52
After going over the details OF these
bids with the architects, with the greatest
care of which we were capable, we finally
awarded the contract, pursuant to the
authority granted us by a resolution passed
by this body on the third day of April,
a. -. 1917, to II. c. Ballngcr Co, of
Philadelphia
These parties also agreed, where IL
could be done ut proper figures, to en-
plov local carpenters, IN order TO reduce
the cost of the work 10 n minimum figure.
The maximum figure Of these builders
was thc#lowCst received, with n single
exception, and we decided to award the
hid to them because. among other reasons,
they had had considerable experience in
work of the. same class and nature
Their maximum figure includes their COM
mission ot q per ccntum of the cost Of the
work
We were Informed by tho architects, in
accepting their bid, that we would save
considerable cost to the county in the WAY
OF supervision. which would have been
necessary ii tho contract had been award
cd to the bidder. who had not had such
experience.
The above figures are based upon the
of a hot water heating system.
II this is changed TO steam. which IS pos
sible, there Will he considerable saving
as TO this item
We would also call YOU attention 70 the
fact that practically all Of the suh-con-
tractors are local people llartnett u
Bros. furnish the lumber and stairwork,
l.. l., Jones & Co, tho heating plant;
Bell & Son the brickwork John W Jones
docs the painting Charles Zanders docs
the clock work, and Frank I. Collins
furnishes all the bricks that he is able,
and would have been given the contract
for All the hrickwork had his capacity to
make them been such rs To- enable him 10
guarantee delivery.
ANY other suh-contracts that were let
outside were either because there were no
local bidders OF because the prices Of the
local bidders were materially higher.
Jonathan l.. Hopkins.
John TAYLOR,
g. II. Hope.
W " Harrington.
Committee Of the Levy Couri
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