National Republican., 1885-07-30
BELL BROTHERS. TRUE STORY.


why rmg DlD Nor GIVE sArlsrhcTloN
rO CoNNlssIONER MONTGOMERY
EDiron NATloNAL RgruDmCAN; We
presume that you desire to deal
justly by all men; acting under thai
impression, we ask you to give space to
the following in answer to the article in
your valuable paper this morning en- The
Patent OHice Gazette:
IL will be necessary to quote it briefly
to be understood. "The true story Of
the delay has never been told, but the
commissioner feels that in justice to him.
self it should now be made public. = y ="
Accordingly, on tn 10th of June, for the
work has to be started about three weeks
in advance, the drawings for the issue
of July were delivered TO Bell Brothers,
upon t. positive promise on their part
that they would be delivered TO the Office
on the afternoon of July 6 to be signed,
and that the Gazette would be ready for
the Issue on the 9TH of July"
The true story, Mr.. Editor, is as fol.
lows Our bid was submitted Monday,
June 10. We we're sent for to come to
the patent Office Tuesday a. M, and
were then requt Sod to submit samples
of our work.
While without being told pos.
itively that we were the lowest bidders
the commissioner stated that he would
the work until the department could
make satisfactory arrangements else.
where. Our samples were submitted
Wednesday, June II, and pronounced
good; and without any contract being
drawn up or any writings whatever to
show an obligation between the depart.
ment and ourselves, the work was sent
down to our place of business.
The following letter will explain it.
self:
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. July Ii. lSS5-lIoN NJ.
V. MONTGOMERY, Commissioner of Patents
Sir: We have been informally notified that
our bid for photolithographing. the patent
Office drawings is the lowest of the proposals
received and are now required to proceed with
the contract upon several hours notice. We
protest that the notice is not sun cent and ap-
peal to your honor to sec that fairness and i'm
partial judgment is exercised in this import
ant matter. Important to tho department, in
that 1t will save annually large sums OF money;
important 10 us that II gives us a chance to
| break II monopoly which has for years held the
| department in an iron grasp. Weare Dt pre-
pared to Immediately proceed with the work.
| We had no means of knowing that our bid
would be accepted, consequently we did not
| keep n large force of employees.
! Our suppOsition was that on July l. If we
! were awarded the contract. that II would then
/ commence and not before, and within tina
! time we would bo in position to execute the
contract to the satisfaction Of the department.
| In view ofthese facts we protest against this
summary action and ask that q just and fail
amount of time be accorded, Very respect
fully, BELL BROTHERS.
Now, Mr.. Editor, how does the state.
ment Of the commissioner fit this matter
of record AS to our work being poor
the supervising architect, the chic
draughtsman of the coast survey, ant
several experts in the patent business
all gentlemen Of standing and compe
tent to judge, certified to its being frs
class in every particular. 1t was only
when such testimonials were filed thai
they would receive our work.
But this is enough. The "True Story
will be told where it will receive the Mt
ton it deserves. BELL BRoTHERs
WAsnISGToY, D. c., July %,