The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-04-15
HARRISBURG LETTER.
Mr.. Nesbit Reiterates His Charges
of Irregularities
IN AWARDING STATE CONTRACTS.
Provisions of the Antitrust Bill
which Has Passed the House and
Now Awaits Action in the Senate.
The New Capitol Building.


The New Capitol Building.
Especial Correspondence)
Harrisburg, April 1S.-Representative
Nesbit, of Northumberland county, still
charges there are irregularities In the
manner of giving out state contracts.
He has filed with the house committee
on public buildings and grounds seven
page statement setting forth alleged
abuses In the administration Of the de-
partment of public buildings and
grounds. Among the charges made are
that plans and specifications for the
erection or for the revision of public
buildings during recent years have
been SO written as to greatly limit the
opportunity of responsible contractors
to compete in the building, resulting in
great loss to the state. In the erection
of the new executive building, and re-
modelling of the old house, specifica-
tions were so drawn by the architect
as TO require all bidders to furnish GER
tain articles of special manufacture at
certain prices, and largely in excess of
the proper cost of said article. 1t is
also charged in this statement that
plans and specifications have been so
padded with items aggregating large
amount, and which were not intended
to be exacted of the contractor. Yet it
is claimed that honest bidders were
compelled to bid on these. In the re-
modelling OF the old hall of the house
large amount of basement excava-
tions and underpining called for in the
specifications were omitted. Favorite
contractors were given to understand
that this work could be omitted, and
they thus bid accordingly.
To illustrate the carelessness which
has characterized the states scrutiny
and inspection of bills which have been
presented by favorite contractors for
materials and workmanship furnished
to the state Mr. Nesbit points to the
character and quality of the material
in the new executive building, appar-
ent, he claims, to the most casual in
spection, and to the admitted facts that
the building, although but three years
completed. already needs new roof.
Mr.. Nesbit is anxious for an honest
Investigation to be made, and claims
this will establish the fact that many
persons who desire to bid on public
contracts are deferred from so doing
because OF tHe TcdSOHS lIlulCdteu. ne
also thinks an investigation is import
ant, inasmuch as the state is upon the
eve of erecting a new state capitol
building, involving the outlay Of large
amount of money and the giving out
of numerous contracts; that the pub
lie interests and public honor require
that all honest contractors desiring to
bid on such contracts should have fair
and equal opportunity to bid and just
and equitable treatment afterward."
The Antitrust Bill.
Perhaps one of the most comprehen-
sive and important measures ever en-
acted by any legislative body in tho
history Of this country passed the
house recently by vote of 157 to 4.
This is what is known as the anti
trust bill, and Is said to be copy Of
the famous Georgia antitrust bill. 1t
provides that "all arrangements, con-
tracts, agreements, trusts or combines,
between persons or corporations, made
with a view to lessen. or which
tends to lessen, full and free COM
petition in any line of trade or busi-
ness throughout the state, whether
In the Importation or sale or in the
manufacture and sale of articles of
domestic production or of domestic raw
material and all arrangements design
ed to restraiA trade or which tend TO
advance, reduce or control the price
or the cost to the producer, or to the
consumer. of any such product or ar
ticle OF trade, are hereby declared
against public policy. unlawful and
void, EXCEPT in the case of labor Or
ganizations." Corporations chartered
by the state violating any Of the pro-
visions Of this act forfeit their charter
and corporate existence. and foreign
!. corporations violating the same are
prohibited from doing business in this
state. 1t is made the duty of the at
torney general to enforce the law.
Violations of the provisions of this
! act are declared to be destructive OF
free competition and a conspiracy
| against the public interest. Any person
or persons engaging in any such con.
spiracy as principal, manager, die.
tator or agent, orS in any other ca.
pacity, and who shall knowingly carry
} out any orders in furtherance Of sale
, conspiracy, shall on conviction be pun
ished by fine not exceeding Sc, 900 anC
Imprisonment in the penitentiary no
exceeding three years. 1t is duty in
5 cumbent upon the district attorney
: upon the compliant of any citizen, t,
proceed In his official capacity to Sc
. cure the indictment of persons or cor
porations infringing on the act.
This bill is not likely to meet will
] much favor in the senate, as there is
/. strong sentiment developing against II
! Its passage through the senate will b.
watched with more than usual interest
: In view of its passing the house by al
4. almost unanimous vote. Those VIII
: oppose the bill becoming a law bas
their objections on the grounds tha
the remedy provided for the evils in
tended to be corrected Is prohibition
not regulation, and because it's term
are so broad and comprehensive tina
n they could be held to apply and max
, unlawful the cooperative stores, part
nerships, agreements between employ
. ers and their statesmen in reference I
L prices; In fact 1t Is difficult to see, the
4 claim, how any two or more person
II could act together in any line of bust
ness without making a combinatio
y tending to affect the price or cost of
j. product, and not come within the pro