Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-28
CITIZENS ASSA|L
PHILLIPS CRITICS
Opponents of Arlington Engi'
neer Scored in Fight on
Reservoir Contract.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star,
CLARENDON, Va. June 2s.-Crit
les of Asa Z. Phillips, engineer II
charge of the installation of the coun
tvs water supply system. on his rec
concentration regarding the contract
for the reservoir. which was AWARDED
to the Pittsburgh Des Moine'
Steel Co. with another bidder about
$4,000 lower, were bitterly scored ana
Mr.. Phillips rendered a unanimous
vote of confidence in the conduct OF
his duties at meeting of the Claren
don Citizens Association last night
Charges were made at the meeting
that several county officials and Gran
dali Mackey. the latter the attorney
representing the lowest bidder on the
reservoir. who at a recent meeting of
the board OF supervisors demanded
that Mr.. Phillips produce concrete evi
dence to show why his company was
not entitled to the contract. were try.
ing ito get" Mr.. Phillips.
Charges Political Move.
Harry C. Saffell, chairman of the
citizens committee that worked out
preliminary plans for the system. de-
clared the present action against Mr..
Phillips. which has resulted in the call
ing of public hearing on the ques-
ton Thursday afternoon at o'clock
at the courthouse. was another move
to destroy confidence in Mr.. Phillips
and to put the waterworks into pol
tics"
In making his recommendation TO
the board Mr.. Phillips. Mr.. SAT.
fell stated. was favoring a company
10 Sss,lt sv, CT n
OF reservoirs and. according to adj
vices, was better qualified to handle
the work.
Continuing, he said: Mr.. Phillips
is one of the best engineers in this
country and his reputation is at stake
in installing tn e county's water
works. The reservoir is the KEYSTONE
Of the entire proposition. II ii don I
stand up the county stands to lose
many thousands of dollars. The
engineers efforts and judgment have
already saved the county hundreds
of thousand Of dollars. and 1t is up
to the people to stand by his judg-
ment on the reservoir contract.
Legal Action Feared.
Mr.. Saffell stated that the flight
against Mr.. Phillips started before he
was appointed to Office. originating
when it became known that he could
not be used
L. c. McNemar president of the
associa ton, declared that there is
nothing in the Virginia code that
makes it compulsory on the part of
the board Of supervisors TO accept
the lowest bid. and the board would
undoubtedly find itself facing law
suit If It rescinded the contract action.
=~S - hot he2 IoF ~
insidious propa ganda spread about the
county. and expressed the view that II
was based on d desire of another
group to put water in Arlington
County"
4 committee. consisting of J. Thomas
Manning, Nolan ID. Mitchell and ]. c.
Boss. was appointed to represent the
association at the coming hearing
and instructed to support the stand
OF Mr.. Phillips.
Milford Wits. secretary-manager of
the Arlington County Chamber of
Commerce. addressed the meeting.
VIII Question Board.
Speaking on the coming, he told the
Association that II could do no more
important work than to insist on the
Board of Supervisors appointing the
coming commission, authorized for the
county by an act of the recent spe-
cial session of the General Assembly.
Following his address the secretary
was instructed by vote to communi.
cate with the board to ascertain why
action has not been taken, looking to
the appointment of the commission.
The motion also provided for the ap-
pointment of committee of two to
wait on the board following the send
ing Of the letter to insure something
definite in the matter.