American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-06
FURNISHING MAIL LOCKS 81 KEYS.
fAH PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,

March H. 1901. Y 4
T being desirable to substitute locks and keys of
other kind for those in for the mail service
of the United States specimen locks and keys with pro-
posals furnish the same will be received and considered
the Post Office Department until the first day of July
next. The different locks will be submitted TO q commits
sion for examination and report Upon this report con-
nshing such locks and keys for four years with the right
part of the Postmaster General for the time being
to extend and continue the contract in force for ad
onal term of four years by giving to the contractor
written notice TO that effect not than nine less
than six months before the termination of the first term
of four years. Eas s5s.-.. ..
With view of procuring the best lock at the lowest
price, kind Of lock is prescribed standard the De
partment relying for selection the mechanical skill
and ingenuity which fair competition invited may
develop. 1t is however, proper TO state that lock suit
able tor the mail service should possess the following quail
ites viz durability, uniformity hghtness and strength
For the purpose of dispacing simultaneously all the
mail locks and keys now in use, about thirty thousand
and twenty thousand thereto will be
required to be furnished by the contractor within
months after the contract shall have been entered into
afterwards the annual supply will depend the dura
bty Of the locks and keys adopted, as well the in
of the mail service; but it will probably
coed in amount three thousand of the former and
thousand of the latter. st.H uN
No lock will be considered If IL be like already In
general use; will any with whom the contract
may be made be allowed to make, SELL furnish, any
lock key similar to those contracted for for any other
purpose than that of the Post Office Department
The kind Of lock adopted must be patented and the pa
tentee WIN oe on entering INTO contract TO make
eft Of the Department. If the Postmaster General shall
deem such requirement. essential to the interests Of the
service In of the failure of the contractor any
time to fulfil faithfully the terms and conditions of his
contract the Postmaster General shall have the right
besides resort to the penal remedy hereinafter
toned TO annu said contract and 10 contract with
any other party parties he may M for furnishing
similar locks aud keys f G ssa I
In deciding upon the proposals and specimens offered
the Postmaster General may deem IL epeent select
for the through mails the lock of bidder and the
way as that Of another. lie reserves, therefore, the
right Of contracting with different individuals for such
different kinds Of locks he may select and also the
right to reject all the specimens and proposals. II he shall
deem that course for the interests of the Department The
party parties contracting will be required TO give bond
with ample security in the of thirty thousand dol
lars for faithful performance Of the contract The con-
tract is to contain provisions for the due and proper
spection of the locks and keys aud also for guarding
against their passing into improper hands, the terms Of
these provisions TO DO arranged between the Department
and the successful bidder II bid should be accepted
No application will be considered II not accompanied
with satisfactory evidence of the trustworthy character of
the bidder and of his ability TO fulfil the contract
N X. HALL,
H-- Postmaster General.