The San Francisco call., 1897-09-21
EXPERTS FIGURE
ON PRINTING
Mitchell Thinks Fair Prices
Should Be Paid for
Work.
Roeth Has a Schedule, but
Will Not Divulge It's
Author.
Politicians Wrangle Over a Small
Difference in the Price of
Blanks.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALI,

908 Broadway, Sept. ~.
Supervisor Roeth is of the opinion that
about $500 per year is being paid to the
printers of Alameda County more than is
necessary, and this matter is now the SUBJ
iect of spirited Investigation by the
board.
While Mr.. Roeth who is chairman OF
the printing com mittee, was on can. p
ing tour in the Yosemite Valley, the Su-
pervisors passed schedule of prices for
blanks for the different county depart
ments for the ensuing year. The schedule
was compiled by two expert printers OF
San Francisco, one of whom for many
wears was with Crocker & Co., and passed
by unanimous vote OF the board.
On Mr.. Roeth's return he was rather
annoyed TO find that he was not present
when the schedule was adopted. He
thereupon employed an expert on his own
account, and obtained from him sched-
ule which averages about 10 per cent less
than the prices given by the experts en-
ployed by the board. This afternoon the
matter was brought up. Experts were
present and some exciting speeches were
made.
Messrs. Phillips and Weir, the experts
showed how they arrived at the prices.
I'VE charged for paper, material and
labor" "said Phillips, after which We added
80 per cent to arrive at market price.
Fifteen per cent is always allowed Tor ma
chinery, taxes on property and slhlIlar
expenses. This leaves profit of 20 per
cent on the job, which is as little as a
m an i'll business can charge and pay for
his own supervision and maintain his
every reliab bic business man. OF course
there are shops where they do not pay
their bills and set up type with a few ap-
prentlces an pay starvation wages where
these figures can be cut ten or fifteen per
cent. We were not asked, however, to
figure on that kind of business, but we are
supposed 10 give intelligent figures as be-
tween reliable parties, for hrst-ciass
work"
Mr.. Roeth then stated that he had en-
ployed an expert on his own account,
whose figures were considerably lower
than those OF the schedule. Much pres
sure was brought to bear on him to name
his expert, but Mr.. Roeih could not be
persuaded 10 say who had given him his
| figures.
Mitchell, who was in the chair, THAT we
cannot take any coguIzance OF Mr.. Roeth' S
figures. We have our experts, reliable
men, who have been in business thirty
one years, and they are prepared to m axe
affidavit that their figures are for honest
work Mr. Roeth will not tell us where
he got hi, cures, and l do not see why
we should presume that the calculations
Of an unknown are more worthy OF con-
sideration than those of men of standing
and character who are present.
The county does not wish TO get work
done a. starvation prices. TIE total
amount paid by the county Tor printing
blanks and for department printing last
year was but $4,000, and if this sum should
be reduced by few dollars by giving the
ork 10 cheap offices l do not think any
thing would be gained or that the people
OF the county would thank US for SO
doing"
Several attempts were made to induce
Roeth TO name his expert, but without
avail, and 20 the surprise of every body he
seconded motion that the whole matter
be laid over for the committee of the whole
10 consider. The courthouse was full OF
printers, all OF whom were prepared TO
testify that the county's schedule is what
is known as far" one.