The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-07
sECOR ROBEsON's PROTEGEs.
Giving Out Contracts without Legal Notice
-Simmons's Famous Onh Log.

-StmmOnHs tnmOua Onh Log.
The Congressional Naval Sub-C Committee
spent most Of yesterday upon contractors for
naval supplies. or persons who are disappointed
because they are not contractors. Mr. HYATT, Of
Hyatt Il Spencer, testified that his firm last year
supplied hardware to the navy to the extent 81
about $4,000. Prior to 1863 their annual sales TO
the navy footed up apout Sli1,WO. They fur
nshed under what arc called open market pur-
chascs.
David Babcock Of Ellis & flabcock. contractors
for naval supplies. testified that his firm fur
nishes the navy with about SltO.COO worth Of
goods annually. generally in open market pur-
chases.
+ o. French attorney for jay Cooke. McCul-
loch n Co.. told what he knew about the means
that firm used to obtain the fiscal agency for the
navy, and how they administered their trust.
Mr. Southland, OF Sou hard a. Co.. timber mcT-
chants, testified that his firm supplies the navy
with about S2.nJ worth Of lumber annually.
Two years ago they were the lowest bidders Tor
proposals for S2bJ.Du worth of live oak timber,
but they were unable 10 give security for their
contract, and so were ruled out.
Joshua X. simmons. Acting Inspector OF tim
Der In the brooklyn yard. fatty contradlctcd the
story OF Waldron concerning white oak log
which he had ringbolted twenty years ago in the
Norfolk yard. and which he said turned up as
new timber; rlngbot and ALL in the Brooklyn
Navy Yard last year. Simmons sworc that the
stick mentioned was standing timber three
years ago. Outside 1t was little wormeaten,
but the sapwood was trimmed on. and nearly
the whole log was turned to account.
William Matthews OF 81 Catharine street was
called In the hope that he might throw some
light upon tho methods Of purchasing navy
yard supplies. He II the individual whose bids
for contracts for clothing and provisions were al
ways read on a. a fraction less than any other
bidder, and he consequently has had almost a
monopoly Of such supplies for the past ten
years. His testimony added nothing to the in
formation OF the committee. James A. Anne
lung, dealer in beef and salt meats, tes-
tilted that his firm often bid for contracts
to supply their specalties to the navy. They
always failed to get the contract, which was
almost as uniformly awarded to Matthews Of
Catharine street. -Four years ago Pay Director
bradford ceased even to advertise proposals for
supplies, and since that time both open market
purchases and annual purchases for the BROOKE
lyn yard have been made through Matthews.
William T.. Treadwell testified that up to four
years ago he occasionally was lowest bidder for
supplying the brooklyn yard with hard and soft
bread. For the past four years no proposals
have been advertised, and he has had no Oppor-
tunity TO bid Charles q. Goodwin & Co. have
enjoyed a monopoly Of such supplies whether
purchased In open market OF at regular annual
contracts.
Mr.. Charles g. Goodwin was questioned about
his manner OF procuring his lucrative monopoly,
but he could not point out anything that was
not fair and upright In the dealings Of the pur-
chasing agent with his arm.