The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-08-23
BRIDGE COMMISSION GIVES
FULL OUTLINE OF WORK
Frs ALL ACTIVITIES PARTICIPATED IN;
SHOWS METHOD OF PROCEDURE FOL-
LOWED UP TO DATE

project at 100000 per month,
and that a contract had been en-
tered into with H. H. Taylor, as
attorney, under date of February
20, 1887, for his employment as
attorney for the duration of the
project.
at is to be recalled in this con-
nection that the Governor of the
State of Florida issued a state
ment to the, press some time prior
to December 81, 1886, or. there
abouts, that it was his wish that
the various members of the Boards
of Commissions of the State of
Florida tender their designations
so that he could accomplish his
purpose of appointing his person
ne to the Boards and Commits
sions over the state who were in
harmony with the policies of econ
omy, and with the added purpose
of keeping himself advised of
what was going on in the state.
at was also common know
ledge that the Governor of the
State of Florida wished to replace
the old commissioners with MEM
bers of his own selection, and as
a matter of fact, did, after he
took office, requesting the resigna-
tions, and two of the old commits
sioners did resign.
'Yet, nevertheless, the old
Board of Commissioners of this
District, under date of December
81, 1886, adopted resolutions en-
ploying B. M. Duncan as Chief
Engineer and Bridge Manager for
the duration of the project, for
the sumof $4,000 per month.
which was subsequently cut to
100000, and did by resolution
under the said date, set the fee
Of $40, 100000 for II. H. Taylor,
its attorney.
'sThe PWVA in Florida subse-
quently called to the attention of
the Board that there was only
$751; available for attorneys
fees and the Board, therefore. set
this amount for services to Mr..
Taylor.
This resolution also followed
the contract under date Of FEB.
ruary IS, 1887, to Mr.. Duncan,
and under date of February 20,
to Mr.. Taylor. It is to be further
noted that Mr.. Taylor was en-
Toyed as attorney for the Bridge
Commission under date of August
n, 1885, and that Mr.. Duncan was
employed as General Manager and
Chief Engineer under date Of
August I, 1885, and that they
served in both of these capacities
without a contract during all the
time that they acted in their of.
fetal capacities.
"This Board cannot help but
feel that these contracts were en-
tered into for the express purpose
of tying the hands of the new
Board, and with the foresight that
there would be a change in the
Board
"The Board met with Mr.. Paul
Emmert, Chief Counsel for the
PWA for Florida, under date of
July 90, 1887. just one day after
the organization meeting and
stated to him that It was their
desire to elect a competent engi-
neer regardless of whomever no
may be. but that they wanted to
work in full cooperation with the
PWA under all circumstances.
The Board was advised by Mr..
Emmert that he felt that a con-
tract with the engineer would be
demanded. and that the PWA was
vitality concerned in the engineer
who began the project. The Board
advised Mr.. Emmert that It was
unalterahly opposed 10 the grant
ing of any contract TO the engi-
neer, bridge manager, attorney on
any other member Of its person
mel, because they believed that
they were responsible for the &C.
tons Of its personnel and wanted
10 be able 60 held them account
able aud responsible for their In.
dividaal tasks. Within tess than =
week after the nwe Beard had its
first meeting. this Board felt that
Il might be the wise thing to re-
tain the engineer who began the
project and agreed to retain Mr..
Duncan rs Chfef Engineer. pro-
vided thar he served without q
contract ike any other member
Of the personnel.
tie BE cOnsinsed TomOrrew)