Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-28
Almond Opinion
May Not Settle
Housing Dispute
Alexandra Authority
And PHA Say Ruling
Will Not Be Binding

for an opinion from Virginia's at
torney general, but both sides
agree it really won't settle the
dispute.
The attorney generals views
have been requested by the Alex
andria Redevelopment and Hous-
ing Authority, which seeks to
throw out the low bid on a 148-
unit low-rent housing project be-
cause it was submitted by a union
shop contractor.
A spokesman for the Public
Housing Administration. which
must approve any contract
awarded by the Alexandria agency,
said PHA would not be influenced
by the attorney generals ruling,
He said PHA was a Federal agency
in charge of Federal funds. PHA
has insisted on award of. the con-
tract to the lowest bidder.
A spokesman for the Arlington
Authority also conceded that the
attorney generals ruling would
not be binding. He said his group
would consider this the best avail
able legal advice in the matter anC
probably would make its final de-
lciSion accOrdinplV
Almond Indicates Delay.
Attorney General j. Lindsay AL
mond, meanwhile, has indicated
it may be some time before he Car
rule on the complex situation.
The question before him, ir
effect, is whether employment Of
a union shop firm would violate
provisions of Virginia's right-to.
work law and secondary boycott
provisions of the Taft Hartley Act
While word is awaited, Alexan.
dria's chances of obtaining money
for the project grew simmer.
PHA has enough money TO,
IS, 1000 units all over the country
including Alexandria Right now
nearly $4,000 units are out fol
bids. PHA has said it will approve
contracts on a first-come, first
serve basis - leaving Alexandra;
out in the cold if all funds ART
expended before Alexandria's con
tract comes in for approval.
Fund Reservation Asked.
The Alexandria City Council
Iintervened in the controversy Fri
day. 1t sent request to PHI
that funds for the Alexandra
Iproject be set aside until the at
Itorney general untangles the stu
, alton. A PHA spokesman yester
, day refused to comment on thu
request until the councils lette
lis received, but the prospects o
! any fund reservations appeared
dim in view of PHA's attitude
toward the attorney general
ruling.
, The city council appoints mem
| bers of the authority, but other
wise has no control over its oper
; ations.
The controversy began Novem
. Der 6 as the authority prepared
Ito open bids for the Negro project
Before the bids were opened.
letter from the Southern 1rol
Works was read protesting an,
, contract award to a union-shol
, firm on grounds it would violat'
Virginia's right-to-work law ant
secondary boycott provisions OF tn
Taft-Hartley Act.
The protest named several firms
including the low bidder, Victo
R. Beauchamp, Inc, of Washing
ton. Southern. a non-union firm
claimed it would be prevented
from bidding on steel subcontract
If a union builder was employed.
The Beauchamp bid of $l,157,
$40 was $62,50O under the mex
lowest bid, submitted by Eugen
: Simpson & Bro. of Alexandria.
. PHA Rejected Award.
: No award was made at the BIZ
opening. The authority later de
: cided the contract should 60 tt
d. the Simpson firm, and sough
! PHA accord.
! PHA promptly rejected the idea
insisting that the contract go t.
the lowest possible bidder.
Glenn U. Richad. chairman o
, the Alexandria Authority, sub
I sequently wrote John Taylo
3 Egan, Public Housing Admins
: traitor, stating that PHA appar
, emily was under pressure to hav
the contract awarded to Beau
= champ.
The whole controversy has bee,
t embarrassing for Mr.. Richard
= His law firm is general counsel TO
t Southern Iron Works and ais
represents the Simpson firm. MI
|, Richard said he had advised bot
firms they would have to see
: legal advice elsewhere in the
!. current wrangle, however.
Pressure Is Denied.
: James B. Davis, secretary-treas
urer of the Beauchamp firm. yes
: terday denied knowledge of an,
t pressure in behalf of his firm.
! Mr.. Davis insisted that aware
: of the contract to his firm woul'
5 not violate any law. Federal o
State. He said there were uniol
contractors throughout Virgini;
which operate like Beauchamp.
: II don't think they should b
concerned with any possible vic
lation of the law in awarding u
the contract" said Mr.. Davis
Federal, State and private job
t ARE being awarded every day, al
: over the country-including Vir
ginia-to both union and opel
shop contractors, and to GU
knowledge no one has ever OBJ
jected yet.
eff that is not their real con
Germ" he aided then they jus
want the job to 60 to Simpson
an Alexandria firm. or else the,