The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-16
THE PoL,CEMEN's SUITS.


Times on the subject OF policemen uni
forms, whilst manfesting commendable
zeal. has the misfortune of being inaccurately
informed about the subject of which he treats.
The facts Of the case, to our personal knowl-
edge, are that Mr.. Michel Lion, the clothier,
was not bidder for the making OF the police
mems winter uniforms. There were only
three bids offered, all by the house OF Leon
GOdchaux, for three classes OF cloths. Mr..
Lion was bidder last summer, Tor the sum
uniform lower than that Of Mr.. Godchaux,
who got the contract because, on comparing
the samples of stuff each house proposed to
use In the manufact ure of the uniforms, it was
decided that that OF the house OF Leon God
charx was superior. Now, as to
THE INSPECTION
and its cost We give Mayor Pilsbury's rea-
summer uniforms had been delivered to the
police force, and worn by them it was dscov-
cred that few were mOth-eaten, fact
that could not be detected except, by
putting the uniforms In strong light
The work had already been accepted. When
the contract for the winter suits was given to
Mr., Godchaux the idea came to my mind that
I should have the work thoroughly inspected
by an expert, who would see that the cloth, in
texture and in color, was the same as the
and other details were made in strict COM
nIiance with the agreement; not that doubt
ed the integrity OF Mr.. Godchaux, whose stand
ing In our commercial community had been
one of the main causes OF his getting the con-
tract. but in order that not even an excuse
should be left to the disappointed competitors
to prumble. Mr.. Gardner. the tailor who in
spectad the uniforms t the last contract,
came to me recommended by one of our well
known merchants particularly. who youchee
l.. .>&a md nh han agk
Mr., Gardner how much he would charge foI
his services, he replied that he would leave
the matter of compensation entirely with the
Administrator of Police and myself. Although
I said to him at the time that did not like
| to do business in that manner, l, neveNhe
less told him to GO on with the work WheL
| the contract was completed was waited upor
by Administrator Diamond one day.. who
asked me what thought Mr.. Gardner's bill
amounted to, [ made no direct reply to the
| Administrator but in my own mind estimated
/ that $50 to 5000 would amply repay him
| What was my surprise to hear that Mr.. Gard
ner's bill was for $500. hooted the idea. Sub
seuuently Mr.. Gardner brought me his bill
reduced to 500. 1 told, him plainly that
would stand no such charge. 1t was some
time after that that | gave Administrator
! Diamond my estimate OF the value OF Mr.
Gardeners services, and we finally agreed tina
we would settle the matter by allowing hin
1926, which thought was we'll paid
i n
street. resulted in a conversation with
MIR. EMILE LEVY,
the head of his clothing department, and hav
ing asked him whether Mr.. Gardeners serv
ices were OF such nature. as to justify the eX
penditure of $225 for the inspection OF the uni
forms. Mr.. Levy replied very senstbIy tina
he could not determine the value OF MIR. Gar
dner's services, but that for six or elgh
weeks he was untiring in his attendance II
the tailoring department OF the concern, AM
as they were ready for delivery, rejecting
some forty or. fifty of the lot during tina
time.
Question What did he reject them for?
Answer Very properly. We had given
great deal of our work outside, and some 81 tn
talors had failed to follow our instructions
The material was the same as the samples
but the sewing and finish showed careless
ness This frequently happens with good
we make for our ordinary custom, and W
have to reject the work ourselves. AS T.
those uniforms-of last summer which ar
reported to have been somewhat moth-eater
That is very possible 1t takes thousands O
yards OF stuff to make all the uniforms OF on
police and the neglect to closely INSPECT tn
, cloth, may occur in few cases. Had til
matter been reported to us in due time
would have been not only our pleasure to col
rect the neglect, but we would have felt in
PEELED to do so for the reputation OF our hous'
which cannot afford to risk its good name &c
few dollars.
This is the story of the inspection OF police
mems uniforms, which Mayor Pilsbury say
i, he will continue to have made, taking care
however to stipulate the price OF the lnspe'