The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-08-11
THE scHooL-BooK CONTRACT co

We have always commended that tho fair and
proper way to supply tho public schools Of the
county with books and stationery was for the
School Board TO advertise for proposals and
award the contract to the lowest responsible bid.
der. We believe that this plan would enable the
Board to procure the supplies needed at prices
much below wha, they have been paying for them,
and We were not alone in that belief for Il Is en-
tertained by all who have given the subject even
the slightest confederation. Acting on this be-
lief We have frequently called the attention Of
the School Board to the subject and as often ex-
pressed the hope that the whole Board would view
1t In the same light that We did. and act upon II
accordingly. In this the public was disappointed.
A majority Of the members passed resolution
accepting tho proposition of J. II. Msdairy a
Co. to continue supplying the schools at the old
figures.
Last week we called the attention Of the pub
lie TO the unjust discrimination against Baltimore
county in the cost Of books, stationery, etc., when
compared with the prices paid by Baltimore city.
This hardship. which the county tar. payers have
been compelled TO endure. Is altogether owing TO
the School Board Of the county refusing to invite
competition before awarding the contract. The
publication Of the list Of prices heretofore charg.
ell BY Medairy 4 Co. has thrown . aOod Of light
upon the public mind which enables II TO see
clearly whether the permission granted by a ma.
jOrity Of the School Board to Mediary 4 Co. to
keep ON furnishing the schools at the old prices
was question VI favor or one Of economy. That
the School Board proposes to pay not less than
81 600 more than they would do IL competition
had been invited Is evident from the fact that
Medairy Co., some time before they made their
proposition to the Board, proposed to furnish
supplies to the Baltimore city schools 4, . per
cent. less than they had been charging and pro-
pose to continue to charge Baltimore county.
Bat this liberal proposition vas not accepted by
the Baltimore city School Board. because In the
competition invited by that Board another book
arm offered to supply the books at ~ per cent.
less than the wholesale prices. which offer was
accepted aud a contract made with them. There
is no cxcusable reason except that Of ignorance
why Baltimore county should pay III per cent.
more for the books used In the schools than Balt.
more city does. The School Commis sioners should
at once put stop to IL by taking immediate steps
towards inviting proposals and awarding con.
tract TO the lowest responsible bidder. and put
him under bond for its faithful performance. as
the School Commissioners Of Baltimore city
invariably do.
while the city fares ~ per cent. better than
Baltimore county does in the book contract. in
the matter Of stationery and other articles used
in the schools. she has secured much more favora-
bic term. than for the books. Medairy 4 Co.. at
the same time they proposed to furnish the city
school. with book. at per cent. less than whole
sale prices, also offered 10 supply the stationery
and other article. a, a$i per cent. less than the
schedule prices. This offer. being the highest
discount. was accepted and they have given u
substantial bond for the faithful performance Of
their contract;
We have in our Office copy Of the figures a,
which Medairy 1 Co. have contracted 20 furnish
the city schools with stationery. etc. Last week
we published comparison from them in the
items Of ink. paper and steel pens. in which there
was q difference against Baltimore county of I6i
cents per gallon for ink Sl.2O per ream for pa
per. aud s6l cents per gross for steel pcns. These
figures call loudly tor a speedy change in the
presen; mode Of supplying our schools with these
articles. Blu; they are not the only ones that
show very costly discrimination against the
county. Meiairy 4 Co. have agreed to furnish
the city schools wi,h plain copy books "a; $50 cent.
per dozen they have been charging Baltimore
county :? cents per dozen for blank copy books.
They have agreed to furnish the city schools with
chalk pencils at ; cents per gross: they have
been charging Baltimore county Is cents per
gross. They have agreed to furnish the city
schools with pen holders at 43i cents per gross /;
they have been charging Baltimore county . cents
each. or Sass per gross. These charges are ex-
orbitant. and the resolution which approves their
continuance should be repealed At once. compc-
ti,ion should then be invited and a contract
awarded to the lowest bidder to supply the public
schools of the county with books and stationery,
This is the only way 20 effect genuine economy
and save not less than 81. O0o in the purchase Of
these supplies.