Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1925-07-03

liens who crowded City Hall at an
adjourned Council meeting on Thurs
day evening, June 18th, when a sharp
factional fight brought into use the
old steam roller which was thought
to have been strapped quite few
years ago Thoroughly overhauled
and manned by crew, called the
-Four Horsemen," it put fiat sur
face for the time being on the side
walk question, in spite of all the OBJ
stacles thrown in its way by BILL
Donaldson, Councils premier fighter.
The meeting had been arranged for
the purpose of considering the bid
for sidewalk engineering services
which had been opened the week
previous and referred to Councilmen
Stevenson and Brown. Those who
came to hear the bids discussed and
learn what Council was doing on the
sidewalk question were disappointed
for the sidewalk majority continued
to keep its plans deep secret.
Taxpayers desiring information on
the expenditure of quarter of a
million dollars of their money were
in effect, told to ''try and get it."
A temporary victory for Clement
M. Anderson, city surveyor, was seen
in the vote of Council to reject all
bids. At P. M. sharp, roll call
found all members present with Mr..
Parsons in the chair.
Mr.. Parsons Immediately stated
that report of the committee on
sidewalk bids would be heard.
Mr. Stevenson, chairman of the
committee, arose and without present
ing written report or discussing a
single figure, made motion that all
bids be rejected, since the amounts
varied so widely that it appeared
they were not bidding on the same
thing.
Mr.. Brown, the other member of
the committee, at once seconded the
motion and Mr.. Parsons proceeded
to put it to vote without asking for
discussion.
Mr. Donaldson then asked the pre-
sident why he wanted the bids reject
ed and why they had not bid on the
same thing. He repeated the question
twice but with no answer.
Mr.. Parsons then said, "Mr. Dom
aidson, you have heard the report of
the Committee, are you ready for
the question"
Mr.. Donaldson objected, wanting to
know what all the rush was about
and why as a Councilman he was re-
fused an answer to his question.
Mr.. Parsons replied that the Com
mittee had reported
Mr.. Donaldson then asked MIR.
Stevenson on what he based his
opinion that the bids should be re-
jected.
Mr.. Stevenson replied, "Mr. Dom
aldson, you have heard my report.
That is ALL
Mr.. Donaldson then said, "This is
not your own private affair It in
terests us all. Again | ask you on
what you base your opinion that the
bids were not understood. You help
ed draft the specifications didn't you?
Then why do you indicate they were
not clear"
Mr.. Stevenson, @They are clear
Mr.. Donaldson, "Then why do you
say they were not understood. Is
there any one of the bids which fol
lows the specification? Why do you
waste the taxpayers money for legal
work and advertising and not use
the specifications?
Mr.. Stevenson, Throwing down an
envelope), "rhere are the bids, suit
yourself about it. have no further
explanation"
Mr.. Donaldson then said, aYor
alone have these bids, ] demand in
formation before we vote. Do ! gel
it? Win you answer my question:
Mr.. Stevenson refused to answer.
Mr.. Parsons put the question to ,
vote and the motion to reject th'
bids was passed