New-York tribune., 1894-04-26
LETTER CARRIERS UNIFORMS AGAIN.
A CORRESPONDENT TELLS HOW THE BIDS WE'RE
RECEIVED AND OPENED-StRIRlSE OF
MANUFACTURERS
To the Editor of The Tribune.

MANUFACTURERS.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Your comments. in your issue Of the 9Th inst
upon the new letter-carriers' uniform regulations
with the caption Juggling with Prices was both
timely and in the line of justice to the carriers
the manufacturers OF uniforms and makers OF cadet
gray cloths.
The point YOU make, that the carriers themselves
and not the Government pay for the uniforms ont
OF their well-deserved earnings Is important. and
should be emphasized.
The recent action OF the Department was pro-
fessedly based upon the desire TO secure uniformity
and economy in prices as well in quality OF
goods. trimming making etc. The methods adopted
to reach such end have certainly been most
unfavoraby criticised. and by many are believed to
be unwise unbusInessike unjust and Disappointing
" not questionable.
The regulations In force up to the date OF the
recent change were adopted in the early part OF
Mr.. Wanamaker's term as the executive head OF
the Department. and as the writer understood at the
time, intended to accomplish the same objects
In order to protect the interests of the carriers and
the time give the widest scope to all legt-
mate competition, the different manufacturers OF
standard cadet grays and the larger makers or
uniforms throughout the country were invited to
submit samples OF their handiwork Requests were
sent to the postmasters of several Of the largest
cities that representative letercarrers capable OF
intelligenty considering the matter should meet on
a given day at the Department at Washington TO
act as a committee of experts. The mills were rep
resented by lines of samples. The uniform manu-
facturers had forwarded their specimen uniforms.
each made to suit their respective ideas OF adapt
ability to the service No names of mills or manu-
facturers were allowed samples or uniforms.
each having been previously numbered Tor identlca-
ton. Could committee be more fairy con-
stituted in the interest Of the who were to pay
for the uniforms and could plan less Objectionable
INN al docic n
the quality of CLOTH trimming and making?
As your correspondent then understood, and as
subsequent experience confirmed. this plan secured
no monopoly TO any
A standard of cadet gray cloth. well as OF
trimming and making. had been adopted Any mill
which could make goods corresponding with stand
ard and all uniform manufacturers desiring to bid
on contracts for making them equal
footing BY common consent fair distribution or
this work throughout the country, has been con-
sidered the most equitable plan, but necessarily the
bulk of uniform making was done In the larger
cities. such New-York Philadelphia Boston.
Chicago. Baltimore Cincinnati. Columbus. etc, where
the facilities were greatest.
Evidence is at hand to show that under this
rangement the carriers were furnished with uni
forms made OF the best cadet gray and trimming
and making equal TO the suits now being supplied
under the Oehm Fechheimer contract. at less prices
than they now cost the carriers while prices for
everything entering into their make up lower
now
1t is also in evidence. which Is at the disposal OF
the Department whenever desired that certainly
mill OF standard reputation asked Of the Depart
ment the privilege of submitting It's samples for
competition the morning Of the day bids were TO
be opened. and that Its representative was met by
the significant II not courteous answer that no
samples from mills desired, to deal with the
mills meant TO introduce politics into the question
Just how why not explained.
II the Department believes that Its action has the
approval of other bidders than Messrs Oehm and
Fechheimer. OF the postmasiers or Of the carriers
themselves. II would be the pleasure OF the writer
aid In getting fair and unprejudiced consensus OF
opinion from either all. only asking that the
riers shall be assured that In expressing their views
they can do 50 without prejudice to their official re-
latons with heir respective offices.
Your criticism to the limited time given to
uniform makers in which to make up and have their
uniforms In Washington. the day named in adver
tisement for bids to be opened carries with II the
Implication that a general knowledge OF the pro-
posed letting not desired. and / may add that
when the bidders assembled to bids opened 0n
accordance with the usual custom in all Govern
mental Departmental they had right to expect
that quality and price would then and there be
sidered In each case. Instead of this. bids only
opened and to the great surprise OF nearly all
ii announced that the uniforms would be ex-
amined at n later day by experts, when the award
would be made.
All efforts to ascertain when the examination
would take place were unavailing and the Of
the bidders went home. sadder. II not wiser men.
On the following Friday Qf my memory serves me
CORRECTIVE ii leaked that the contract had been
awarded to Fechheimer Brothers & Co. OF Gin
cinnati and Oehm & Co.. OF Baltimore.
When the prices finally became known. the
amazement Of other bidders frst-cass goods and
work made an interesting picture. and their lullaby
took the form of "a in the interest Of the poor
New-York. April 10. 1894