The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-02-16
Clark James MacGibbon, of the
County Board Criticizes Con-
tractor and Commissioners.
SAYS CONTRACT
IS NOT OBSERVED
Charges County Furnished Lum-
Der for Contractor-DeniaIs
Made in Caustic Terms.

n lively tilt between Clerk James
NacGibbon and John 6ferkens, contrac-
tor for the new concrete road con-
Meeting Bayou Chico and Grandc in
which the clery scored the contractor
and the board for the violation of the
contract under which they are operat-
ng, featured the meeting of the coun-
" commissioners yesterday morning.
Mr.. MacGibbon claimed. first that
the county had been furnishing lumber
for the building of a cement storage
house, which he said was directly
against the terms accepted. Second.
that he was not aware that Gerlkens
had furnished an indemnity bond.
which would guarantee the county
against suits, in case of accidents to
workmen on the road.
That the road needs closer scruti-
ny than ii has ever gotten" and that
the county had no business to fur
nish the lumber" that he had received
bills for lumber and roofing and that
he would take pleasure in auditing
the bills independent of everybody
else" were statements credited TO the
clerk. There is no provision in the
contract to pay for a single stick of
timber" he said. 1T IS not just to
the county to pay it. and more than il
is just to pay the Standard Asphalt
and Refining Co, under present con-
ditions and am not going to pay it"
Contractor Retorts.
Hot retorts were made by the con
tractor who said that if "MacGibbon
We're five eighths of the board. then
everything must be done in black and
white for him, that he had built two
thirds of the storage house. leaving the
county only one-third." lie said that
he would take over the house, which
is capable of holding five cars of ce-
ment and that the county could store
their material somewhere else.
In reply to pertinent questions by the
clerk asked as to where the county
would be il man We're to be killed.
the contractor said that he didn't
need n guardian. that he had sense
enough TO take care Of it himself.
and, that in case of liability, he would
not file proceedings with the clerk
or with anybody else He claimed that
after the contract had been signed, an
order had been given 10 Caary and
Company to deliver cement.
Reese to Make Probe.
Investigation OF the storage house
natter Will be made by County Attor-
ney 4. Pope Reese. who has been in
to report his findings in writ
ing to the board. He ruled that in the
have TO file bond. but that he would
be required to furnish evidence to the
that he had complied with the
provision and must furnish a letter
from his insurance company SO stat
ing
Contractor Gerkens has notified the
county board that not "a lick OF work
will be done on the county road from
now on. until he has letter author
zing certain changes. \ profile was
at the regular meeting of
he board Tuesday and Gerkins insists
hat this map be returned to him with
he county seal and the signature of all
board members before he recon-
nences work.
Gerkens lnsistent.
Stating that he would stand on tech
licalities a the clerk had done. Gerk-
ans is going still further in the Stand
ard Asphalt and Refining company
natter, which had been decided ia
yorably to Mr.. AIacGibbon by the
county attorney. Gerkens, in q state
nent made to The Journal, said that
le would write a personal letter to the
firm, telling them that the
,ill for rubber expansion joints had
Tot been paid, because Of negligence
If the clerk.
Mr.. Reese has ruled that the COM
mission claimed ~ Mr.. Gerkens, be-
ongs to the county and has upheld
.fr. MacGibbon in his decision not 10
,rant it TO the contractor. Gerkens in
lists that the percentage is his and
hat he will have II from the firm, II
lot from the county.