The San Francisco call., 1899-07-23

Fourth-There will always be some arti-
cles required from time to time which are
not included in any schedule which can be
made for a years supplies. Purchasing
these in open market, as is done at pres
ent, leads to charges of favOritism upon
the part of the party doing the purchas-
ing.
We find that on account Of the above
reasons many of the leading hardware
houses have declined in the past TO 6id
for these supplies and they emphatlcaIly
state that they will not bid in the future
under such conditions
We submit to your honorable board that
such a feeling should not exist. Ihe pur-
chasing of supplies is a purely business
proposition and should be conducted in a
business-hke manner. The present ofh7
GERS of the city government were pledged
by the different parties at the last cleo
ton to conduct their departments in an
economical and business-Hke manner, and
our recommendations are solely TO enable
them TO do so.
In view of the conditions enumerated
above and in order that the furnishing OF
these supplies may be conducted in a Dust-
ness-lke way and afford the city the
benefit of that competition TO Whlch II IS
Justly entitled the Merchants Association
respectfully begs to recommend that
different system be pursued and suggests
that the method as outlined in the in
closed memorandum, which is similar TO
the one used by the United States Coy
ernment and the State, be adopted: We
are satisfied that the purchase or all kinds
of supplies made in this manner Will re-
suit in more efficient and economical
admfnistration of such affairs, will be
more satisfactory to the dealers and the
public and could, with advantage, be ex-
tended to all departments of the city gov
ernment which purchase supplies. Re-
Spe''- N iMERCHANTsr ASSOCIATION.
AS a plan to be followed hereafter
the association submitted the follow
ing:
First-In attempting to make an enor-
NOUS schedule containing all supplies
needed during an entire year and liking
no quantities the heads of each depart
ment should once a month prepare a
requisition of the supplies which will be
required by that department during tne
to have the different articles divided into
classes so that each bidder need consult
only the class containing the goods IN
which he deals. Exact quantity desired
for that month of each article should be
stated. These acquisitions should be sub
mitted to the chief engineer for approval,
after making such changes as to guam
tity. etc, as in his Judgment seems best
and refer them to the Fire Department
Committee of the Board OF SUPERVISORS
for approval.
Second-Typewritten or printed copies
Of these lists in the form OF proposals sails
than three responsible firms carrying
stock of such articles, inviting them to
submit bids on a certain date. II It II
made the rule and is known that these
lists will be sent out on a certain day IN
each month and copy IS posted Slo2n. on the
town can if he desires, ascertain what
supplies are wanted and procure copy
of the proposal from the clerk In case
one has not been sent to him
Third-These bids should be received
only from legitimate licensed firms car
provided in present specifications. Bro
kers, who simply bid on contracts and de-
pend upon purchasing supplies from
should not be permitted to bid.
FourthNThe bids should be opened on a
Of oil i -
Who may attend by the Fire Department
Committee. who will award the order for
each item to the lowest bidder
The advantages of this method are:
First-Only one months supplies being
required, except in the case of small arti-
ments can easily and closely estimate the
Quantities required.
Second-Bidders knowing the quantity
thirty days or at once. can bid inteili-
gently and at the lowest market prices.
Third-It will be necessary for dealers
to inform themselves concerning the con-
dition of the funds only when bidding.
Fourth-In cases of emergency, or II
during the month some articles are re-
Guired which were not in the monthly re-
quisitiOn, a special list of these can be
sent at any time TO not less than three
the lowest bidder. and thus avoid exces-
sive prices, charges of favoritism, and
pressure for patronage, as is frequently
the case when goods are bought in open
market from some house especially deSig-
mated for this purpose.
Fffth-Such a method will save the I'M
necessary expense of advertising the
award of contract for each of over 700
articles, many of, which are used in small
quantities and perhaps only two or three
times during the year.
Sixth-Furthermore. in support of these
recommendations we beg to report that
we have discussed this entire matter with
members of the leading wholesale hard
ware houses in this city. and they unani-
mously approve this proposed method of
furnishing supplies. and state that if the
city will adopt such a system they will
regularly bid on the monthly supplies and
will guarantee the city fair prices
Consequently we strongly recommend
that the system herein outlined be adopt
ed
The best piano is the Decker & Son.
49,, =+,,Ias NTorl-at