The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-10
OLD BIDS NOT GOOD.
Port Orchard Navy Yard Con-
tract to Be Readvegtised.
OWING TO THE EIoHT-HoUR LAW.
At tho Navy Department They Think
Matt Brannigan IL in LUCY Not t.
Get the Job ct ol1s,D00.

WASHINGTON CRY, Aug. e.-Ispecial.1-
Secretary of the Navy Tracy. Assistant
Secretary Solely and the judge-advocate
general of the department gaze consider
able time today to the Pors Orchard,
WASH. dry dock question. Itswas practi-
caily decided. as q result of their confer
ence, to readvertise for bids for the build
ing of this dock. The new xeight-hour
law is the cause of all the trolble at this
time. The award of CONTRACTS pending
when the bill became q law is>embarrass-
ing government officials in llany direc-
tons. The Port Orchard dry dock will
serve as an illustration Of the 5rouble the
government is in from this law. In this
case bids had been received Tor the con-
struction of the dock, but the award
of the contract had been delayed pend
ing an investigation as to the response
bility of the lowest bidder. Matthew
Brannagan, of Seattle, and other bidders
submitted prices based on tne express
stipulation in the departments specif-
cations that they could work their men
night and day. The department now finds
it necessary to throw out all the old bids
and advertise for new ones. THIS delaying
the construction of the dock; and at the
same time causing great deal 2f dissatis-
faction on the part of the lowest bidder,
who objected to having his price exposed
In such way as to allow his competitors
q chance to underbid him next time.
Other departments will be affected in the
same way. In almost every branch of the
service there are incomplete contracts
pending. The new law comes at q partic-
ularly unfortunate season oftthe year.
This is the season when all the depart
ments are on the eve of making contracts
for the fiscal year. In m ost leases bids
were invited without regard toHthe q ht-
hour law. In every instance of this
kind, when the contract has not been
formally awarded, it will be Necessary to
readvertise for bids. Under ttx terms Of
the new law, existing contractsF@e exempt
from its provisions, so that the ship-build-
ers, steel manufacturers and contractors
in charge of river and aharbor works will
be allowed to employ their men as many
hours as they see tit, but no provision was
made for those cases where bids had been
received but no contracts awarded.
The navy department officials profess to
believe that it is lucky thing for Mr..
Brannagan that it becomes necessary to
readvertise for bids for the Port Orchard
dock. They think Brannagan would never
have been able to do the work orfhis bids
of $4l8. 600 for the government. The esti-
mate for the work was over 5000 900. The
department today received letter and
telegram from Brsnnagan, stating that he
was able to give good and sufficient bond
to guarantee that he would carry out the
work if given the contract.
The executive eight-hour law IS applied
to the construction of public buildings
has proved SO embarrassing to officials of
the treasury department that the attorney
general has been asked for q legal con-
structiOn of the provisions of the act.