The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-08-24


concluding instalment of the re-
port issued by the Overseas
Bridge Commission in answer to
an article appearing in last Sun
days issue of The Miami Tribune.
The first part appeared in The
Citizen yesterday and ended by
telling of the boards discussion
with Mr.. Emmert, who holds the
position of Chief Counsel for the
PWA in Florida:
"This Board discussed with Mr..
Emmert, further, the thoughts it
had in mind with regard to the
severance of the bridge manager
job from that of the chief engi-
neer's job, so that we could have
a separate ridge manager and
chief engineer.
cit felt that all good govern
ment and all business warranted
a check and a double check in its
operation, and particularly felt
that the Chief Engineer should
concentrate his efforts to ex-
pedite the project and put all his
time on the engineering features
Of the project and the speeding
up of the contractors.
"0ther matters were discussed,
and Mr.. Emmert advised the
Board and its attorney that he
would go to Washington to work
it out, but that it would take
from ten to fourteen days. OuI
attorney, Paul Fl. Marks, conferr-
ed with Mr.. Emmert again with
the added idea of disposing Of the
matter then, because it was urg-
ent that the matter be sraighten-
ed out as soon as possible, but he
was advised that it was essential
that the matter be taken to Wash.
ington in order to have same work.
ed out.
AFTER ten days had elapsed
the Board instructed its attorney
to proceed to Washington to find
out the position of the PWA on
new chief engineer or the re.
tention of the present engineer
without a conlraes. Mr.. Marks
had a hearing before the Board in
Washington. and was advised that
the PWA did not insist en- con.
tracts with engineers in con
formity with its own regulations
but that they only insisted upon
approving contracts once they
were entered into with an engi-
neer, or architect or attorney.
"This Board knew, and was sc
advised by its own attorney, that
the power Gle with this Board to
select its own engineer provided
he was approved by the PWA
The right 20 select it's own en-,
gineer was fully established ia
Washington, and Mr.. Marks wai
advised That the Board should
submit names Of competent engi-
ne-srs to Colonel Hackett in Wash
ington If a change in engineers
was desired.
"This Board came into office
under a terrific pressure from the
poole of Monrop County, and will
the statement at its first meeting
by the past attorney not to in
tarfere with the contracts Of him
self OF Mr.. Duncan, and with
threat over the head Of the new
Board that the PWA had insisted
on the contracts with both him
self and Mr. Duncan, and thai
there was a possibility Of tbs
PWA stopping the monies and tbs
project. All of this appeared II
the various newspapers. and tbs
same was particularly quoted n
The Key West Citizen Of Tues
day. July 90. 1887.
'This Board has sat back ane
taken a terrific amount of critic
ism trying to work this mattel
out. and was put in q most EN-
bsrrassing position by the present
Chief Engineer. B. NJ. Duncan, il
the Sunday Miami Herald Of july
IS. 1897. Just one day prior Il
the first organization meeting Of
the Beard. Mr.. Duncan was quat
ed as follows: Rapid progress i
being made BY contractors FOL
eight projects on the Overseas
Highway bridge construction ana
all Of the contracts should b
completed by january % b. NJ
Duncan, general engineer for III,
entire works. said Saturday. Mr.
Duncan added that he believes
some OF the work viii be finishes
ahead Of time and that The entir,
road win be open for travel no
later than February I
Even though this Board Eel
that this was not the correct in
formation and that the proiee
would not be completed on speei
fled time. this Board believe.
that il would be for the best in
w~. w~m -