The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-10-12
WENTWORTH KICKS
ON PAINTING BID
Tells County Commissioners III Il
Useless 70 Ask for Bids on
County Work

&iOner8 or tuesday, WhAch consumed
the better part OF the day. was featured
~ a heated statement on the part Of
Commissioners wentworth that the
commissioners were in the habit Of
placing bids according to their own
ideas, and without regard to the prices
given. the work usually being given
out to the highest bidder and reprisal
on the part Of the commissioners later
on / ntheir refusal to second two res
oIutions presented by Mr.. wentworth.
or to place these resolutions on the
minutes Of the meeting Mr. Went
worth called on the commissioners to
place his two resolutions on record,
and Chairman Gilmore called in the
advice OF tho county attorney, who
gave Il as his opinion that legally the
commissioners were not compelled to
place these resolutions on the minutes
OF the county proceedings.
The words which passed between
Commissioner wentworth and the 9TH
er members Of the board grew out Of
the various kinds OF work brought up
at the meeting. At the last meeting of
the commissioners two bids were made
Tor painting and repairing the ballot
boxes OF the county, both Of which
were rejected BY the commissioners
and other bids called for. Three bids
were submitted at the meeting yes
terday. One from e. b. Wells for
s97.2S: one from Rauscher Il Simpson.
at s58 and a third from James r. Kerr
sey. for $50. The bid OF Rauscher &
simpson for $50 was accepted, the
commissioners giving as their reason
for accepting the bid at $50, instead Of
that ait sS5, that IN the bid OF Rauscher
& Simpson mention was made that
they would clean off the old paint from
the boxes. and that they felt that the
work would be worth the additional
sum. The difference on the bids was
SIS.
Mr.. wentworth presented a price
for q new sInokestack for the county
Jail upon which It was pointed out to
him that bids should be presented for
such work. II was then that Mr.. Went
worth declared that he saw no reason
for the presentation Of bids 60 the
commissioners, as they paid no atten-
ton to the bids. except to choose the
highest bidder.
Later Mr.. soderlind stated that he
had been in consultation with a man
who lived on the, west side Of town and
who had formeiy furnished wood 20
the county commissioners. He said
that It would be possible TO get this
wood very cheap, he believed. Where
upon Mr. wentworth took issue with
Mr.. soderiind, stating that he did not
believe In the commissioners butting
into the districts Of one another. Peace
was made BY the appointment Of So
deralnd and wentworth on a committee
90 make Investigations as to the wood
and its price
Mr.. soderlind stated to the commits
aioners that he had been In conference
with someone who wished to ask the
commissioners for the privilege Of
lighting the Bayou Texar bridge for
the privilege OF placing his advertise
ment on the lift OF the bridge. Mr.
soderlind did not give the name Of
the would-be advertiser, but was asked
by the commissioners to make further
inquiry and report back to the COM
missioners at the next meeting.
Mr. Soderlind also stated TO the COM
missioners that he knew a good man
who would give them q price on the
cornicea to be built at the court house
in connection with the work now con-
templatod, and Mr.. Soderlind was ask
ca to bring the gentleman to the court
house and lot him make an estimate
on the work for the board.
Resolutions Rejected.
The first resolution presented by
Mr.. wentworth was as follows:
whereas, the board OF county COM
misBloners have passed a resolution
calling for bids on one million dollars
worth Of the bond issue for good roads
and the prospects for the sale Of the
same are very bright;
Whereas. there are hundreds OF
men out of work and in need OF en-
ployment. and the construction OF the
roads means that many Of these men
win DO put to work;
whereas, materials are at the pres-
snt time at the lowest level for which
they viii be at any time in the near
future, ana the building Of the roads
&C this time means great saving 70
the county; therefore, be il
Resolved, BY this board Of county
commissioners that the plans and
specifications be made ready and adj
vertlsements placed for bids on the
Gulf Beach highway and one OF the
other three roads, that the road puil0-
ing program Of Escambia county
not be held up longer"
There was no second to Mr.. Went
worth's resolution. Commissioners Can
az and Commissioners soderlind stated
that there had been no delay in the
road work Of tho commissioners and
saw no reason for passing the resolu-
tlon. Whereupon Mr.. wentworth pre-
nentcd d second resolution:
whereas. the plans and specifica-
lions have been prepared and are now
ready for the work Of remodeling the
court house and court house annex
whereas, labor and material are at
tina lowest prices which will be availa-
bic at any time in the near future; am
whereas. there are many citizens Of |
Escambia county out OF work, and
this work will give a number employ
mont; therefore be II
Resolved By this board that adver-
tisements be placed for bids on this