Milford chronicle., 1931-02-20
= 'CONTRACTORBTLL
PASSED IN SENATE.
[Continued from Frst Panel

are dWdTueu COuLTdCIS. lie asked
what aid had been received by such
organizations in Delaware as the
Associated Charities, the Red Cross,
the Boy Scouts, and others from
contractors out of the State, who
have done work here. The money
which they make goes back to their
own State, he argued. He described
the difficulty of Delaware building
supply dealers in selling their ma
terials to the non-Delaware contrac-
tors.
THE purpose of this bill" Mr..
Gassaway declared, ''is to protect
Delaware industries and save them
from the encroachment of Outsid-
ers."
Mr.. Herring stated that he did not
think there is any question concern
ing the cOnstitutiOnality of the mea-
sure. He pointed out that it aims to
limit the spending of the States
money to the States citizens. Num-
erous States have similar bills be-
fore their legislatures, he said. He
further showed that the bill has
nothing to do with the building of
roads.
Mr.. Stierle, in arguing against
passage of the bill, said that the big
principle involved was the principle
of doing business. He claimed the
measure is unsound in principle and
unethical in business. Competition,
he declared, is the spice ftrade,
and tends to give the best possible
product for the lowest cost. He
asked the question why only four
contracts of 104 had been awarded
Delawareans. He stated that no one
wants to see local contractors re-
ceive work, any more than the in
terests he represents.
1t was further argued by Mr..
Stierle that if the measure is enact
ed, there would be no telling as to
how far reaching it would be. He
asked if various manufacturers in
this State could not come before the
legislature, then, and demand that
their products be purchased for Del !
aware institutions. He asked if the !
measure did not prove itself class
legislation, when it does not pro-
vide for road building also.
Senator VanSant said he knew |
why and could prove how so much |
Delaware work was received by non
Delawareans. He described their |
methods and high power salesman !
ship" He contended Delaware con-
tractors do not stoop as low in their
business methods as some others do.
%
the millions of dollars of apprOpria-
tions contained in various bills for
buildings in the State. He spoke of
the $3,000,000 school building bill
and others. Using as an illustration,
$4,000,000 for public buildings in
Delaware, he pointed out that 40 per
cent of the amount, orM$1 800, 900
would be utilized for labor. The ac-
tual wage for the various classes of
labor, he declared, will average 80
cents per hour. Employment will be
afforded Eor about $50 Delawareans
in one year, he further showed
Don't you think it good legisla-
tiOn when it gives employment to
$50 Delawareans in these times?"
he asked. He told of Virginia firm
receiving a contract for building
in this State and giving employment
to Virginia negro masons only. Re-
ferring to the conditions of the
country, he said, God knows, we
should try to remedy them and give
work to our men,"
Senator Griffenberg pointed out
that it was decided not to include
roads in the bill, because of FEEDER
al aid received.
Senator SimOnton, who was pre-
siding, remarked 1.-The fact is, you
iOn't have to wear blind glasses to
see what is going on between here ;
and Odessa now" The gallery ap-
Dlauded loudly.
The vote was then taken and the
)ill passed. The gallery again ap-
llauded. ..i.t
The bill provides that any board, Z
commission or agency of the State, ,
my municipality or school district, f
which is charged with the letting of (
contracts for public buildings, shall
ward them to contractors who have \
,een residents of this State twelve +
months prior to the awarding of the 7
contract. Architects, who have a
,een residents for twelve months, s
you'd be used in the work All con-
racts would specify that all me- "
hanics, wOrkmen and laborers en- !,
lOyed must have been bona fide
esidents of the State for six q
months prior to the award of the r
Ontract, excepting where permis- o
ion is granted by the awarding r
Oard. It provides a fine of not more
han $1,000 or Imprisonment for not Il
lore than six months, or both for II
iolations. h
EE0TTCCEE0Fn u0Trc t