The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-07-25

For many months gravel men have
been protesting against the Marion
County specifications. They charge
that Schmidt's requirements call for
gravel of a quality far higher than
is necessary. They say that II is
impossible 10 produce gravel of the
screen grade called for unless heavy
added production expense is incurred
or the gravel is shipped in from else
where. The result is, they charge,
that the specifications are practically
closed in favor Of crushed stone.
Materials Optional
Gravel and crushed stone are
optional basic materials in the mix
ing Of concrete.
Crushed stone interests back up
Schmidt's contentious.
The gravel men say that II they
were permitted TO supply good
Marion County gravel without the
extra preparations necessary to meet
the present Specifications the county
could build concrete roads from
$4,000 to $4,000 a mile cheaper.
Schmidt's contention is that he Is
protecting the taxpayers by prevent
ing the use Of materials which will
not stand up under hard usage.
The remonstrance on the Jansen
Rd. specifications was filed late Fri.
day with the county auditor by John
w. Hoffman. attorney for the
Marion County Gravel Association.
1t will be certified to the State high.
way commission. The commission
has jurisdiction in such disputes un.
der State law. A similar contro-
versy is before the commission now
and It is in this matter that Gray
is reported to have talked OF resign
ing.
Conference Held
Williams and Gray held a two.
hour conference in Williams office
this morning. When Gray left he
was plainly agitated and spoke in a
broken voice.
Asked If he had resigned. Gray
said: when 1 resign Williams will
be the man to announce 1t. / have
a letter in my pocket which will
be rewritten and sent to Williams
next week."
Gary's original letter was sup
posed to contain the ultimatum that
he be permitted TO abide by his own
technical judgment or quit the job.
Williams refused to give definite
answers to any questions. He de-
clared Gray had not resigned, but
when asked il he would resign soon,
he said, II don't know"
He admitted doubt as to Gray's
intention.
"The commission July %, adopted
a new policy with respect TO county
road specifications" Williams said,
but he declined TO make explana-
ton OF the meaning OF the state
ment. 1t is believed the commits
sion has gone over Gray's head and
rejected all county road specifica.
tions a srigid as those Of Schmidt.
Cheaper Material
Sam c. Hadden. head Of the State
and Marion County Gravel Associ-
ations, said that gravel men are not
contending that gravel Is a better
aggregate for concrete than crushed
stone, but is considerably cheaper
for Marion County.
Gravel and stone are exactly
equal in quality. just as nearly
equal as anything else in the world"
Hadden said. Whichever one is
cheaper in any locality is the one to
be used. There are several modern
gravel plants in Marion County
while the nearest crushed stone
plant is at Greencastle, Ind"
Hadden said crushed stone costs
more at stone quarries than gravel
at gravel pits. In additional freight
and truck hauling rates must be
added to crushed stone. Prepared
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