Omaha daily bee., 1889-08-29
CHARGES AGAINST DIR, KELLY
A Norfolk Furniture Dealer Out in
an Open Letter.
FAvoRlTisM TO FOREIGN FIRMS.
M. Koch Knocked From tho Burling.
ton Bridge. and Drowncd-Ap.
praising the Saline Lands
City News
LINCOLN BuReAu OF THE OMAHA Bss, !
1920 - SrREEr
-.
LINCOLN. August 2S

in furniture, under date of August %, ad-
dressed an open letter TO the Daily Herald, q
newspaper published in that city, In which
he takes Dr. Kelly, superintendent of the
insane asylum, to task for freezing out"
Norfolk furniture dealers in the award OF
contracts for furnishings for that Institu.
tion. He charges that if Kelly can not freeze
Norfolk men out by getting lower figures
he will do it by selecting an entirely differ
ent line of goods and give them no opportu-
nifty to figure on them; that they are given
no opportunity to figure on anything but the
highest-priced goods that the market af-
fords, taking their figures as q basis on
which to work in cheaper goods at a better
margin of profit for somebody; that when the
asylum was furnished two years ago Dr.
Kelly purchased direct from New York
patented spring mattress and pillow, at a
cost of Sl2.75 per set on the Norfolk track,
and that dealers there failed TO get u chance
to bid on them; that Kelly asked for his
(Johnson's) figures on the same sets and at
the same time wrote to IL. ID. Ostermore Il
Son, of New York that he preferred to buy
direct and asked for their figures, and that
they were quoted to him at
Sl3 per set; that he John
son, offered to put the same goods in the
asylum, ready for use, at Sll.9O; that after
getting these figures DR. Kelley selected and
purchased an entirely different line of goods.
representing difference in cost of $3.50,
and that but one Norfolk dealer was given
chance to bid on them.
Mr. johnson further states that under date
OF August 8. 1889, he wrote to John Steen,
commissioner of public lands and buildings,
calling attention to these Irregularities, and
stated that he had bid on 120 Widdicomb
DplS
$3.50; 100 Ostermore e. Sons elastic mat
tresses at $500; 120 Ostermore & Sons
elastic pillows at Sl0S; 120 Ostcrmore "
Sons woven wire springs at $3.50; that ne
would set these goods up for s., POS; that he
was assured by Mr. Nicol, the steward, that
the list goods described would be used and
no others; that change was made, and that
the goods gong in would afford better
proht at 81, $50 than the class on his bid at
81, POS; that the state lost in the transaction
1858; that both Kelly and Nicol informed
him that "tbe state board' let the contracts
and was the only party that had anything TO
do with 1t; that he had failed to get copy
of the successful bids from Kelly and prayed
the consideration of the board
Mr., Johnson again wrote Mr.. Steen under
date of August He states that the suits,
tables, chairs, etc, are no comparison to the
goods on which he was compelled TO make
his bid; that it was So, 020.96; that he would
contract to put In the class of goods supplied
for 50 0O0 and give satisfactory bond for
its fultillment.
In response to these letters under date of
August 10, Mr. johnson says that Mr.. Steen
wrote him that his letters had been referred
to the consideration of the board, and as
sured HIM that the matter would be nvesti-
gated; that everything should be inspected
and compared before bills were allowed and
payment made, and that discrepancies should
be remedied.
August 29 Mr.. johnson states that he again
wrote Mr.. Steen, asking him whether or not
he intended to furnish him with the bids
and figures he sought, and on the day
following addressed letter to Attorney
General Leese, stating that he had filed his
protest against auditing furniture bills for
the Norfolk asylum, aud asking an inyesti--
cation; that full particulars had been sent
to Mr. Steen; that he had asked for copy
of the successful bid and failed to get it, and
further that his bid was the lowest on the
goods on which he had been compelled to
figure on, and that he felt that he was en-
titled to copy of the bid Of the successful
bidder.
The matters set forth in the foregoing syn
opsis of Mr.. Johnson's grievances, published
in the Norfolk Herald, were submitted to
tne board of public lands and buildings by
The BEE representative yesterday, with the
exception of Comm ssioner Steen, who is in
Milwaukee attending the national reunion
In reference to it Attorney General Leess
said:
"Virtually know nothing about the mat
wrote Mr. johnson that would do the right
thing when the account came up before the
board for consideration. His letter to me
was the first intimation had that any such
muddle existed at Norfolk. If Johnson's
bid was the lowest on the class OF goods bid
on, he ought to have had the contract. l
will do what can to got at the bottom of the
matter at the next regular meeting Of
the board, and shall favor
thorough investigation. 1t will be nec-
folk at an early date. Wewill find remedy
if the discrimination exists as alleged. l am
heartily in favor of giving contracts to home
dealers whenever possible"
Treasurer Hill said "The board will not
let a matter of this kind pass by unnoticed.
Mr.. Steen called my attention to mir. John
sons correspondence, and 1t was utually
understood that If his grievances were well
founded the board would give him whatever
remedy possible. Mr. Johnson's ability to
furnish the class of furniture necessary in
asyums may become an important factor in
its adjustment. IL must be remembered that
some furniture has to be manufactured when
ordered. ] have no hesitency, however. in
saving that Mr.. Johnson should have received
uhe contract for the furnishing on which his
bid was the lowest. Mistakes can sometimes
be satisfactorily explained"
Secretary Laws said; 81 know something
| of MIR. Johnson's complaint and from recent
knowledge have reason to fear that there is
| more or less business in it. In any event, he
| is a reputable man and his protest will be
duly considered by the board. The matter
will be looked into at at early day. Courtesy
should have compelled prompt compliance
with his request for the figures and copy
| Of the bid he sought. 1t was my impression
that they had been sent to MIN. There are
two sides to all questions and it is
possible that explanations and facts may
| be furnished to Mr.. johnson that
will fully satisfy him. In regard to
| Mr.. Johnson's charge that local dealers have
been Disseminated against, | have this to
| say: 1t has been the intention of the board
| to give them an equal chance to secure con-
| tracts TO furnish the supplies to the state in
sttutions In fact, whenever tie bids have
been made the rule has been TO give the local
| dealer the benefit. If Kelly has been guilty
| of discrimination he has done wrong. The
| board will have to consider the stories OF
| both sides and weigh all Of the facts. AS
soon as the board gets time to look into the
| matter do not think Mr. Johnson Will have
| any season to complain Of It's action"
Drowned in Salt Creek.
Word reached the city this morning about
| o O'CLOCK that man had fallen from the
| Inidc,a o,,ar 90 craaLx naar Iha RurlinptOn