The Hawaiian gazette., 1888-10-09


would give it. We would like very much
to have the views OF our country cousins
upon the subject; our columns are always
open to them whether they agree with
US or not.
IN ITS anxiety to make point against
the Government in the matter OF giving
out contracts, the Bulletin in its issue OF
Saturday week puts forward an asSump-
ton OF Incompetence on the part OF the
Bureau OF Public Works without any evil
dence whatever to sustain it. The rule
adopted by the Interior Department in
such matters is well understood by in
tending contractors, and while Attending
reasonable protection to the public inter
ests, ii is calculated to work no injustice
to anyone. Although this rule has been
| publicly stated, II may not be under
stood by all our readers. We venture
therefore to repeat it. When any public
work is proposed to be let out by con-
tract, an estimate Of the probable cost is
/ first made by the Bureau OF Public
Works. Tenders are then advertised
for, the advertisement containing the
proviso usual in such cases that the Min
lister does not bind himself TO accept the
lowest or any bid. Ii the figures Of the
lowest responsible bidder show reason
able approximation to the Governments
own estimates, the contract is awarded &C
cordingly. Ii the lowest bid is markedly
in excess OF those estimates the bids are
all rejected and the Minister decides TO
either have the work done directly by
the Government or sdvertises for new
set OF tenders as he may deem best. The
system above outlined seems to Us en-
tirely fair and business ike. We fail to
see, and the Bulletin omits to point out
any way in which il could be materially
improved. The above named journal
believes in public work being done by
contract, It believes in public advertise
ment for tenders, and processes to con-
slider the clause empowering the Minis
ter to reject all bids as 8 proper precau-
ton in view OF the possibility Of collision
among bidders resulting in the bids being
al OF an unreasonable or extorionste
character What then is wrong2 1t evil
IDENTIFY is and can be only one thing, viz:
that the Government hiss estimates made
by its own officers, who are supposed to
be experts in such matters, and uses
such estimates SIS q standard for judging
Of the resSonableness Of the tenders
made by outside parties. 1t being ad-
mitted that combinations among bidders
resulting in exuavagant bids sre posi-
bic, and II being admitted further that
the discretion reserved by the Minister
OF rejecting sll bids Is, under the circum-
stances. fair and reasonable one, We
would ike our critic to tell Us how and
by what standard the reasonableness of
the bids is TO be judged, and on what
figures such judgment IS TO be based, II
not upon those prepared for the purpose
by the Superintendent OF Public Works
or his subordinates. The present sys-
TEN IS undeniably correct in theory; It
vet remains to be demonstrated that If
viii not be entirely satisfactory in prac-
tee. Two things, and two only, can
cause il TO fail, viz: First-corrupt collu-
sion between the officials and intending
contractors, and Second-groSs incom-
petence or carelessness in the Bureau OF
Public Works. The first OF these is not
charged, but the second, II not positively
asserted, IS directly intimated by line
OF argument which sdmits Of no other
conclusion. Boiled down, the case
amounts to this: II Messrs. Roweu and
Lawrence are TOO ignorant, too lazy OF
too dishonest 70 make sn estimate Of the
probable cost Of macadamiEing 8 street,
building bridge or erecting Lookup,
which shall be even approximately cor
rect, the Bulletins criticism is good, /
otherwise II is good Tor nothing. Before |
accepting the theory that the gentlemen |
In question are incapable OF performing |
the duties pertaining 10 their position
reasonable people vii require something
in the way Of evidence; something defn-
lie, specific and to the point Such evil
denee Is not forthcoming, and in plase Of |
It We have such cheap filings and insinua-
lions IS the following, " The estimates u
practical and experienced men are &C
oepted BY oommon-sense people before
those q impractical and inexperienced
hgurers, who are simply familiar with
such things on paper" Our cOntem-
PorAry having disposed OF Messrs. Roven
and Lawrence IS impractical and mex
peienoei fgurers" cannot in common
fairness do less than furnish Us with the
names Of those practical and expert
enced men" whose estimates are 50
much more reliable. TrOt ont the Bulle-
IN experts.