The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-08-23

Invited to appear at a meet
ing of the Overseas Road and Toll
Bridge Commission at noon today
The Citizen, at the conclusion oil
the meeting, was given a com
plete statement by the commits
sion, covring the work of ths
body since its first meeting and
bringing the activities of the OF,
sanization up to date.
This statement was authorizes
by Howard Wilson, chairman Of
the board; John costar, vice
chairman; Members Ralph Boy
den. c. c. Symonette and Willard
M. AIbury and Attorney Paul
Marks.
In it a number of situations
are explained and moot questions
are clarified. The statement that
Dan Navarro aspired to the man
agership Of the commission and
what it implies, which has been
a much-discussed question, is re-
futed, and also the situation with
reference to Engineer B. NJ. Dun
can is explained.
The statement was given to
The Citizen at 1 o'clock, which
was too late to publish in full in
this issue, and the final para
graphs are being carried over un-
til tomorrow's issue:
"There appeared in the Sunday
issue of The Miami Tribune of
August %, an article to the eff
feet that politics are threatening
the Key West Highway, and that
the bridge project was hanging
BY a thread.
"The new BOARD OF Commfs-
sioners Of the Overseas Road and
To.I Bridge District, Monroe
County, had their first meeting
under date of July 10, 1887, and
since that time have made it
their business not to issue any
statements to the press of their
findings of the progress of the
bridges, of their investigation of
the books and records, of the
audit, and other matters, until
the Chief Engineer and Bridge
Manager situation had been work
ed out.
However, in view of the art
iele above referred to, this Board
has no other recourse than to
make a statement at this time, and
TO let the public know exactly
what has transpired and what is
contemplated.
ssFirst let us go back prior
TO the time the new Commission
took office. Although we had no
access to the records or audits. il
was common knowledge that the
contract with Wannamaker and
Wells Company. known as Contract
A, which works within the first
bridge gap. had expired on March
20. 1887. and that there was q
considerable amount of work ia
Be done to complete their con.
tract.
at was also common knowledge
that the contract with G. Y.
Thomson Construction Company,
known as Contract b, was com.
pleting work on the first ferry
gap, particularly on Long Key
Bridge, and that that contract
expired on June %. 1887. and
that the greater portion of this
work had to be completed.
ut was also common know.
ledge that the Clarke Brothers
Construction Company. known as
Contract c, for the building OF
roads between Mateeumbe KEY
and Grassy Key, also within tbs
first ferry gap. was to expire on
August Z, 1897. and that the
greatest portion Of this work wa.
still nncomFsetei.
at was and is the intention Of
the Board to be very cautious. q
make eomplets audit and survey
Of the bridges before any definite
action was taken. After cur first
organization meeting. and after
the opportunity was given ths
BEARD and its attorney 10 exam
ine the books. records and con,
tracts outstanding. we found chs
following facts 20 be existing:
''That a contract had been en-.
tered into February IS. 1897. fol
the employment Of B u. DuneaF
as Chief Engineer and Genera
Manager. for the duration Of En-,
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