The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-07-10
CONTRACTOR SAYS
HE'S RESPONSIBLE.
Low Bidder on Fire Sta
tion Appears Before
City Commission.
CONTRACT TO HARRIS
Mayor Concludes That Off
cials Acted Too Hastily in
Matter.

A rather unusual situation arose
at the meeting OF mayor and city
commissioners yesterday morning
when ]. Q. Glenn. log yet Unsuasocc-
ful bidder on the Kendall fire sta
tion, appeared and demanded to
know why his bid had not been ao-
oepted. His bid was tl0,ssS, while
the bid OF J. II. Harris which was
tii.00O0 was accepted,
At the time the contract was let
last Tucsday---it was reported by tho
city commission that evidence OF
Glenn's responsibility could notbe
obtained. None with whom the com
mission got In touch knew Glenn, or
that he was a local contractor. For
that reason, according to the com
mission, the contract was let to Iiar-
ris. who was the next lowest bidder,
and who is we'll known In local con-
tracting circles
Glenn declared he had given Com
missioner G. s. Younkman q number
OF references, all OF whom are local
business or professional men. lie
declared Younkman. after hearing
the list of names. told him he would
get the contract.
Glenn intlmated that the commits
sion had not shown due diligence Ia
investigating his record and stand.
Ing. II have been associated with
J. II. Wilson here for the past three
years" he told the commission.
Commissioner J, NJ Addison de-
clared reasonable efforts had been
made To obtain information about
Glenn, and that mono had been no.
cured.
III had known what know now.
I would have voted TO give Mr..
Glenn the contract" Mayor T. ID.
Evans said
Harris. who attended ycsterday's
meeting, inquired why Glenn was
not at the meeting when bids were
opened so he could properly Identify
himself Glenn replied that II was
not necessary.
For Is minutes the commission
argued over the question OF respon-
slbility. Then the discussion shift
ed TO whether tho bids should be do
clared Off and the project read
vcrtiscd. This discussion brought
up the question OF certified checks
which accompanied blds Specifi-
cations called for deposit OF three
per cent, while the city auditors
advertisement required n deposit of
five per cent. The city charter pro-
vides for five per cent
mo contract has been signed
the city attorney said. Harris de-
clared he had been ready all the
time To sign the contract but that
It had not been prepared.
TN the absence OF a signed con-
tract. the city comm ission's verbal
decision Is binding" Harris declar-
ed
City Engineer c. E. Griggs inter-
rupted to say that Harris conten-
ton was correct and that entire
paving districts had been paved on
tho strength OF the commissions do
clsion, before n written contract had
been signed.
Right after was given the con-
tract I was told to get busy" Harris
said" and got busy. Work has al
ready been started on the fire sta
tlon. The plumbers are there now
laying water line.
Mayor Evans concluded audibly
that the city had probably acted
hastily. "Llke David Harum said
Its easier to get fishhook In than
It il to get It out" the mayor said.
Finally. when II appeared that the
discussion would Inst indefinitely,
tho city attorney declared the city
was tho best Judge OF responsibility,
and that due diligence had been
used In investigating Glenn.
whats the next business TO come
before the meeting2" asked the
mayor. apparently glad for an op'
portunity to switch the subject
Glenn retired from the commits
sion room
Harris In to finish the fire station
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