The morning call., 1893-09-17
PUBLIC SUPPLIES.
How the City Has Been
Robbed.
FIRE DEPARTMENT EXPENSES
Supervisor Dundon's Plan by Which
a Saving of $4,000 a Year
Will Be rIade.

Mayor Ellert while chairman Of the
Finance Committee of the Board of Su-
pervisors always complained that the
extravagant expenditures of money was
due to the patronage system of ordering
supplies. The prices charged for articles
needed for the various departments were
almost always above the market rates, and
sometimes excessively so.
The chairmen of the various committees,
who had the power of ordering supplies
which did not cost more than $500, dis
pensed patronage for political and other
reasons. Orders for material and supplies
we're given TO friends and the most exOr-
bitant charges were winked at while the
city was being robbed.
Mayor Ellert saw the evil that resulted
from the iudiscriminate purchase of
supplies without contract or competition
and he attacked the system. Being in the
minority he was not successful. His resO-
lutiOns providing that supplies and NJ ate
rials for the various departments should
be obtained through the letting of yearly
contracts to the lowest bidder always
failed 10 pass. The ring proved too strong
for him.
Ofall the departments where eXtravagan:
prices were paid for material and supplies
the Fire Department headed the list.
When the present Board of Supervisors
took their seats there seemed to be de-
sire to check some of the reckless eXpen-
ditUres of the past more careful exam
inatlon was made of the goods ordered
and the rates charged. Still, little good
was done. and many eXorbltant bills were
still rushed through and paid without pro-
test out of the public treasury.
Finally Supervisor Dundon, who is
familiar with all tho uOOdS rannir red and
used In the Fire Department, began to
give all earnest study to The question. he
was seconded by Dr.. Stanton and other
members of the board. Supervisor Dun
don soon concluded that it would be too
much work to watch the bills. The sys-
tenn was vicious, as the indiscrmInate pur-
chase of supplies would always give oppOT-
tunities for OyercbargiDg.
So he had introduced in the board
resolution providing that all supplies and
material for the Fire Department for the
fiscal year should be obtained by contract
The resolution was ably seconded bV
Mayor Ellert. and Supervisor Dundon
found that he had succeeded in having it
passed.
Proposals were advertised in accordance
with the resolution, and bids for suptlies
and material were opened for the first
time at the last meeting of the board on
the night OF Sepiember11.
The bids were all referred to the Fire
Committee. WI Ell mat committee subse-
quenily met Supervisor Dundon went to
The Auditors office He obtained the bills
which the city had been paying for years
Tor particular articles. Taking these
hgures, he made comparisons with the
prices asked for in the bids.
The result was astounding. There was
wide variance in the charges even by the
very firms which had furnished the city
with goods under the old system. An
cases had been paid. The evidence WAS
only too plain that the CITY had been
robbed for years through the connivance
Of public officials.
The following figures collated by Super
visor DundOn will plainly show how the
people were being robbed by overcharges
for Fire Department supplies:
Common iron castings, which formerly
cost cents pound, were Did for at 81
cents: brass castings. which formerly cost
% cents pound, were bid for at II cents;
Eydrant gates. which formerly cost Sl1
each, were included with an entire hydrant
at a cost of S25 33. according to the bids.
The former cost OF hydrant was $50
Welding new arm on hind axle forged with
offset to shape, according to contract price
Sc 80. The former charge WAS SIS each.
Forging time, which meant a black smith
helper and use of tools. 81 an hour accord
ing to bid; formerly 81 80 an hour was
paid. Spanner wrench, contract price 93
cents, former charge 81 %; steel wrench,
contract price so cents, former price S3 64
dressing chisels 12@ cents. former charge
% cents; machine bolts 5x2h inches. con-
act price 81 % per 100. former price So;
jackscrews 81 80. former price S4 80.
The same thing was found with the
drugs and other materials. On the whole,
by advertising for bids, there will be a
general saving of so per cent.
The city will save about $4,000 by
advertising for these materials and sup
plies" said Supervisor Dundon. "The
new method reveals how the city was
being robbed l must say that during my
efforts to have the new system put into
effect I have met with the hearty encour-
agement and cooperation of Chief Sulli-
van, who desires the reforms introduced
We will let contracts for the supplies to
the lowest bidder, but the other side must
do their share, for YOU can readily see thst
a great deal depends upon the honesty of
the receiver of the goods. Chief Sullivan
says he will keep sharp eye oD things. l
am going TO do tie same"