The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-11-22

as it was understood that tho trial was simply
In the Interest OF tho ClRpp x Jones engine,
and TO strengthen Mr. Oronin's case VIII tin
committee, II was more than suspoctee that
tho engine had been tampered with. Whether
IL was accident or design, 1t does nof speak
well for chief engineer TO have an englne In
service In the city in that condition. few
minutes' time would have remedledthe difa-
Guilty, but Mr.. Cronin's instructions we're such
that no one was allowed TO touch tho machine.
50 tho old silsby ongino In It's disabled con.
dition was compelled to labor through the
trial, much TO the satisfaction OF MIR. Oontn,
and In spite OF the protest OF the Sisby Com
pany's representative, making, ,or course, capi'
tnl for the Olapp & Jones party.y
Mr.. Cronln made his report OF tho trial to
tho committee. The Clapp Jones Company
tracted from tho newspapofs OF tho time,
emitting any mention OF tue age OF the Gu
gines and tho disabled condition Of the
legitimate competitive trlal betwoon new
engines, and aro distributing the same-in the
form OF a circular throughout tho country as
an Advertisement for theft wares.
Tho result OF all these 9thcmee was that the
District Commissioners awarded the contract
to GapP Jones at "a price as
gine builder In the couBtry.
The whole proceedings in connection with
ms transaction were e. unfair nn1, manipu.
OF Olapp Il Jones, thbt the Silsby Company
served a protest on the District Commission
ere, 81 which we g,yea copy, VIZ :
NhshlNdION, W. VI, lltu august, lool'
TO hlo Honorable M Commissioners Of He Dis
ttiCt Of C0iuRlbid.f
GENTLEMEN; Th9 bid we had tho honor OF
submitting to youlfor furnishing three steam
1rc.eDgines having been referred to IA commit
tee OF three, wo bfg TO protest against tho re-
port OF that cominitteo, 90 far as II may influ-
ence you agafnat the Silsby engine, for tho
following reasoDA viz;
/. That one menber OF that committee (Cro.
MIN when appointed was avowedly hostile to
the bilsby engiue and In favor of tho Clapp &
Jonee, and wa@ therefore, not competent to
fairly review the facts and act impartillly.
2. That the tnctics used by him % promote
tho purchase ~ Clapp Jones englnos were
most unfair.
9. That thelstatements to the committee, In
order TO rohoto such purchase, have In our
presence been frequently at variance with tho
true facfs offthe case, and the inference f.,
that tho SAME thing has been done In our alb
sence.
4. That assuch misstatements OF facts can be
proved, II ID unfair to tho blleby Manufactur-
ing Company, who have submitted their bid
10 you at four request, and In good faith, to
have their Iengine Judged by committee OF
which MIR. Cronin forms one-thrd.
trHE SILsBY MANUFACTURING Co.
Now, inhustice to the fair fame of our city,
we have thie to say: Although during the pres
ent admi Histration OF the Fire Department IL
Ia scarcely probable that any reputable stoam
fre engihe builder VIII again be Induced TO
submit bids for steam fire engines, when
next epgines are purchased, lot them be
bouRhtfrom Clapp & Jones, at their own price,
without the farce OF asking for bids or OF hav'
ing fire engine trials. w