The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-31
AUD|'TO OR|UN
 BLUNDER WILL S25,000
Advances in Material Prices Will Affect New Bids on Structure, ays.Breeding,
 Architect Van Keu-
 ren Makes Report

Apparent blunders of those in charge of the municipal auditorium project will cost taxpayers of Birmingham a sum sufficient to pay salaries of the entire city commis- sion for year, according to expert opinion, corroborated by H. D. Breeding, architect in charge, fol- lowing commission action Tuesday in rejecting all contractors bids and advertising for new ones. Cost of steel has already advanced $7.50 a ton, according to manufacturers, and other materials have likewise advanced to the extent that, accord ing to MT. Breeding, the structure will now cost at least $25,O00 more than it would have under the bids rejected. It was pointed out by others that the ultimate cost would now be in excess of funds available.
 Action was based on recommen- dations of E. E. Van Keuren, me chanical engineer, who had been employed by the commission to check the bids and later to super wise proposed construction. Recom- mendation accompanied report, the result of about 48 hours study by the engineer. The report ap- parently showed that the commis- sion, after more than month of supposedly assiduous tabulation of bids. had figured the lowest bidder highest and the highest bidder lowest.
 Van keuren's Report
 On the surface. Van Keuren's re- port showed Day and Sachs to be lowest bidders and the Charles W. Hall-virginia Bridge and Iron com pany the highest of a group of five low bidders. Van Keuren had been asked however. only to check bids of the Atlanta Constr ruction compa- ny. D. F. Manascc and the Hall Virginia Bridge combination. He admitted after his report was made on Day and Sachs and Ford Con- struction company, also included. were "estimates and purely ficti- tious, to sho< how the standing might be altered by thorough check ing Analysis of Van Keuren's re- port showed that. If tabulation were confined to original bids, the bid of Hall and the Virginia Bridge and Iron company was unquestiona bly the lowest, as considered in previous commission conferences.
 It was indicated at the city hall, however. that the feeling was to ac- cept Van Keuren's statement that the bids were "so indefinite that it has been impossible for your engi- neer to arrive at result which is both mathematicallyS accurate and just to all bidders whose proposals have been under considerations.
 Harrison Alone Wins
 Stand of Commissioner William L. Harrison is held at the city hall to be thoroughly vindicated. as he opposed motion of Commission W. E. Dickson made January IS, when the contract with Manasco was re. scinded, to advertise for new bids without further ado. Commissioner Harrison stood out for a thorough rechecking of the bids by an ex- pert engineer, announcing that he was in favor of losing as little time in getting construction under way as possible, and that he was in favor of awarding the contract to the low est bidder among those already com peting if it could be established be- wound a doubt that there was a low bidder.
 At that time" said Commissioner Harrison Tuesday. The bid of Hall and the Virginia Bridge and Iron company appeared to be the le%vest, and that of the Atlanta Construction company also below 1Ianasco. Fig ures showing other contractors to be lower have developed since that time."
 Stand of Commissioner Harrison was further substantiated when. de- spite vigorous objection of Commis- sioner Dickson and milder protest of Mrs. Mary Echols, an amendment submitted by Harrison excluding all except reputable, bona fide contract ors from further competition was unanimously adopted. This was thrust at the previous award to Manasco, building promoter, which Harrison alone voted against, and which was done on motion of Com missioner Dickson.
 Further bearing out the stand taken by Commissioner Harrison some time ago, it was announced that the project would now be pushed through as quickly as pos ssible. Bids on excavation and foun- sdation will be received during the present week, and contracts on those portions are scheduled for awarding next Tuesday. COMMITTEE APPROVES -ukAAAAkAIECU MEACupCl