McDowell-Purcell, Inc. v. Bass

This is an appeal from a judgment which denied the petition of appellant McDowell-Purcell, Inc. seeking a writ of mandamus to compel Ray D. Bass, Alabama Highway Director, to approve and cause payment to appellant of monies according to McDowell-Purcell's interpretation of the terms of a contract between it and the Alabama Highway Department and contrary to Bass' interpretation. Release was sought of certain payments under the contract retained by the Alabama Highway Department for work done about which there was no dispute.

The dispositive issue in this case is whether McDowell-Purcell has a…