The San Francisco call., 1896-06-23
HAD TO REJECT
THEIR OWN PLAN,
Unique System of Awarding
Bids for County
Supplies
CAUSED A BIG ROW.
Some Bids, Apparently the Low.
est, Were Really the
Highest.
FIGURES THAT TELL TALES.
A Pecu lar Method That Has Set
Merchants and Politicians
Wondering.
FIGURES THAT TELL TALES.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,
COS Broadway June % {

OAALAND OfFlCE GAN II RANCISGO NALL,f
908 Broadway, June %.
The Alameda County Supervisors have
devised a scheme for violating the law re-
quiring all bids for public supplies to be
awarded 20 the lowest bidder The system
IS very clever, but it possesses the defect
OF being illsgal and will probably bring
about an open conflict between the Board
Cf Trade and the Merchants Exchange on
one hand and the Board of Supervisors on
the other. The work of to-day will prob
ably be undone and new bids asked.
This was contract day for the county
poorhouse. The board room was made to
resemble a free market with scores of
samples OF everything that the INDECENT
and sick eat, drink or wear in a charitably
inclined county. The space not occupied
with wares, food, drink, wood or coal was
filled with warning contractors.
The profession of notwithstanding is so
intimately connected with bidding for
county supplies that the board room al
ways presents an interesting scene when
the privileges are being awarded. To-day
1t was more interesting than ever. A new
method Of making awards had been de-
termined upon and it gave general dis
satisfaction. The man who had given the
new rule most attention was Joseph
Herrscher of San Leandro, and nearly all
mis- bids were lowest. Joe ran for County
Treasurer two years ago and was defeated
but he was recognized on all sides As 1.-The
best thing" on the Republican ticket.
When groceries were called for, Herrsch-
er's bid, under the unique system adopted,
was the lowest, and there was protest
from other bidders. supervisor Church
was impatient to let Herrscher get the bid
and made motion that ii be awarded to
LafrN 2 Ea all IN,
spected. There was such a murmur of
discomfort that Church withdrew his
motion. Church then had the clerk read
The clauses of the new system seriatim,
and as each one was read Church asked
defanuy, ANY oblectionP None was
made, but when the totals were asked for
there was a surprise, q hutter and general
utterarce of expression. Herrscher' total
bid was $7674, and Phelan Fish bid
S5643 for the same amount, yet under the
patent "unit system" of the Supervisors
Herrscher's bid was the lowest.
This brought down Mr.. Fish, who is e1-
president Of the Merchants Exchange,
and when he made an analysis of the bids
he expressed himself very definitely. The
other bids for coal, clothing, etc., were
taken up and the heat of the arguments
increased. Everybody voted that the
unit system" was no good for legitimate
competition.
is worked the following figures will show ::
One man bids 81 80 barrel for -four, 81
a barrel for mackerel, 81 dozen for
brooms and cents a pound for sugar.
The amount for the unit of each is added
up and his bid is read out by the clerk
as $6 81.
Another man bids SO a barrel for -four
s. for mackerel, S. for brooms and cents
for sugar. His bid is read out as $13 06.
If the supplies needed were 100 barrels
OF sugar, no mackerel (Which is said to be
the case), one dozen brooms, and 20, 600
pounds of sugar the Lowest" bidders bill
would be S2851 and the highest bidder 5
1855.
When the clothing was on exhibition
the excitement got beyond the control of
the officials and they adjourned for a con-
ference. Assistant District Attorney
Church and his chief were called into con-
sultatiOn.
When the board reconyened the bids OF
Joseph Herrscher for groceries and dry
goods were thrown out, although Church
and PeIouZe voted for them.
Attorney Nusbaumer on behalf of Mr..
Herrscher entered a protest against such
action, as his client had complied with al
the requirements of the board.