The times., 1899-03-02
A legal OPINION ON
THE UNIFORM Fight
The Commissioners Have No
Right to Interfere.
Contracting Power Held by Fire
and Police Chiefs Alone.
Another Endorsement of the BaIti-
more Firm-0Hicials Seem An,-
ious to Urge the Award.

An opinion was handed down yesterday
by S. T. Thomas, the Attorney for the
District in which it is held that the Dis
trict Commissioners have no authority 10
enter into contract for uniforms for police
and iiremen. Attorney Thomas also in
formed the Commissioners that ii would
probably be the better plan to have the
Chiefs of the Police and Fire Departments
make contracts with manufacturers and
require the successful bidders TO give bond
for the benefit of fremen and policemen
who might desire TO enter suit.
The opinion was Immediately approved
by the Commissioners and MIR. Wight
recommended that Major Sylvester and
Chief Paris enter into the contract with
the firm to whom it was decided to give
the contracts last week. This recommen-
dation was approved by Commissioners
Ross and Beach.
In VIEW of the opinion of the Attorney
that the Commissioners have nothing
whatever to do with awarding contracts
for uniforms, their action in recommend
ing that the contract be awarded TO GER
tain Baltimore firm is being criticised. 1t
is pointed out that had no such recommen-
dation been made the responsibility for
awarding the contract would have devolved
upon the Chiefs of the Police and Fire De-
partments alone. whereas now those Off
cials would only be following the recon-
mendations of the Commissioners should
they award the contract to the Baltimore
firm.
The original draft of the order OF the
Commissioners recommending the accept
ance of the proposal OF Rosenfeld Brothers.
OF Baltimore, was made public yesterday.
1t is unsigned and Will probably not be
signed after the ruling of Attorney Thomas.
The order is as follows:
Whereas the committee on bids for uniforms for
the Police Depart ment, consisting OF a captain,
inspector, and several Iicutenants of said depart
fnent, representing the entire force. who are
principally concerned in the price and character
Of the goods supplied has, in accordance with
The request of the Commissioners and the Major
Of Police, examined the several bids for clothing
submitted and the samples referred to in the
same, and reported that the interests of all
concerned would he best >Ibserved by continuing
the work with Rosenfeld Bros, OF Baltimore,
Md; il i, therefore.
Ordered. That the recommendation for the ac-
ceTtance of the proposal Of the New York Cloth
ing House, Rosenfeld Bros, proprietors, of Balti-
more. 10 furnish uniforms. submitted the Sth
instant, is hereby approved.
The recommendation for the acceptance Of the
proposal Of said firm 10 supply uniforms for the
members Of the Fire Department uf the District
oi Columbia is also approved.
Many members Of the Fire and Police
Departments deny that they had been af-
forded an opportunity of voicing their opin-
ions in tho selection Of uniforms. The en-
tire matter. they said. had been left with
the uniform committees, which decided
upon the grade of cloth 10 be used and the
firm TO be selected, regardless of their
wishes in the matter. Many of the men
are indignant to think that they are re
quired to buy their uniforms and then be
forced 10 buy them from specified firms
other than local dealers.
In his opinion Attorney Thomas states
that the revised statutes of the District re-
quires the Commissioners. to make rules
for uniform clothing for the police which
shall be procured by each of the members
| respectively, in strict conformity with such
that any member shall be removed from
the force who fails to comply with the
rules Continuing Mr.. Thomas says:
The manual OF the Fire Department requires
frcnen To procure uniforms their eN-
psIse. The Commissioners have no power To
enter into contracts Tor furnishing policemen and
hrcmen with uniforms, ~ ! practical matter,
with view To getting bt>t results for the men.
such contracts siiould he made with the Chiefs
OF the Police aud Fre Departments. rcspectivcly.
Successful bidders stpuld give bond the repre-
sentative Of each department for the benefit ot
any policeman or fireman who have occasion
| upon the same. Tins. | understand, has
been the custom for years.
Contracts for furnishing uniforms for policemen
5nd freTnen having no relation To thu District
Of Columbia the CusIIai ssUneIs have nothing 10
do with awarding them.