Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-16
Bids for Steam Heating Repairs in
the Treasury.
PHILADELPHIA FIRM THE LOWEST
Supervising Architects Office May
Disbar 1t.
CITY POST OFFICE INVOLVED


Treasury Department is engaged in an
other struggle with the Philadelphia Steam
Heating Company, which is now conclud-
ing a contract for the steam heating in the
new city post office building. This time the
struggle is over contract for repairs to
the steam heating plant of the Treasury
Department itself.
Some time ago the supervising architects
Office prepared plans and specifications for
considerable changes in the steam heating
plant of the treasury. The plans called
for the removal of six hot-water heating
boilers, the furnishing, setting and con-
Meeting of six new boilers to replace the
old ones. The plans also provided for the
putting in of smoke-consumng furnaces
and general repairs to the heating plant in
the treasury. as we'll as in the Winder and
Butler buildings, occupied by branches OF
the treasury.
Not Allowed to Bid at First.
Charles f. Wood. representing the Phila-
delphia Steam Heating Company, made ap-
piication for the plans and specifications,
that his company might bid in the bids
which were advertised for. Mr.. Wood was
refused these plans and specifications, on
the ground that his concern was unsatis-
factory to the supervising architects office
which would not consider any bid made by
the firm. Mr.. Wood made an appeal to
Secretary Gage, claiming that he at least
had the right TO make a bid, and that II
the bid was thrown out afterward on good
grounds he would not complain. He was
determined, however, that he should be
treated fairly" After talking with Sec
retary Gage on Wednesday and Thursday
the Secretary issued instructions that the
firm should be allowed to submit a bid
This was done, and the bids were opened
yesterday afternoon.
1t was found that there were three bid
ders, as follows: Philadelphia Steam Heat
ing Company, $23,993: E. Keeer Company
Miliiamsport, Pa. S25,59O; Zeller & Co.,
Washington, 81, 299. The advertisements
did not call for the completion of the work
concern agreed to complete the work by
october 10 and the Keeler Company within
three months.
The names and figures We're given out at
the architects office this morning. Mr.
Taylor, the supervising architect, said that
the contract would be awarded within a
few days
Will Debar the Lowest Bidder.
He was asked about the story that he
would attempt to debar the Philadelphia
company from the contract, they being the
lowest bidders. He was then asked if he
could debar them.
Certainly We can do so,' he said I'VE
can debar any firm whose work upon pub
lie buildings has been unsatisfactory.
do not know what will be done about the
matter now, but this office will certainly
recommend that the firm be debarred and
their bid rejected. They We're awarded the
contract for the steam heating of the new
city post office in Washington against the
recommendations of this office, and their
work mas in no way improved our opinion
OF Them Some time in March we sought
bids for work on the public building at
Camden, N j. The Philadelphia Steam
Heating Company applied for plans and
specifications. We refused to give them
and our action at that time was sustained
by Secretary Gage
Mr. Taylor intimated that this was about
the time of the trouble with the firm ovar
the new post office, but said that the firm
had been unsatisfactory to the office for
years. Mr.. Taylor was asked if his office
kept black list.
A Black List.
There are certain men and firms, he
said who are not awarded contracts nv
this office. There is practically blacklist
although we don't keep a man in that posi-
ton indefinitely if his work elsewhere i'm
proves his standing with us later
Assistant Secretary Taylor did not care
much TO talk on the subject, saying that
Mr., Mr. WOOD mad been to see him. Mr.. Taylor
sald ne understood that the PhiIadelnhia
concern would finish it's work on the citv
post office by Saturday night: at anv "a te
not later than the 18th.
Mr. Iaylor was again asked about the
report made some time ago by Capt Col
lns OF the treasury and Capt Canaea Of
the Navy Department. This report. II will
be remembered, dealt with the differences
between the architects office and the con-
tractors. Mr.. Taylor again declined to
make any portion of the report public saw
ing that 1t was a small matter and if the
newspapers We're permitted to handle every
ind in,
the government the government would he
able to do little else.
1T is charged that Capts Collins and
Canaga criticised the architects office for
improper preparations of plans and for
other defects. If this is true why not make
it public?''
1T is not true Mr.. Taylor answered.
There was no criticism in the report
which was a straight business natter
1t is supposed that the Philadelphia firm
will make a hot fight to secure the con-
tract Notwithstanding the practically an
nounced intention of the architects office
to debar the firm.
Fight In Prospect.
In the event the Philadelphia concern is
thrown out by the supervising architect 1t
is believed that it's representatives here will
demand a public explanation of the reasons
why it is considered unfavorably by the
bureau. This will involve the publication
of the report submitted by Capts. Collins
and Canaga, which bears directly upon the
manner in which the Philadelphia company
performed it's contract at the post Office.
1t is claimed on behalf of the company
that this report will exonerate it in every
particular and that its publication, which
has heretofore been strictly prevented, will
throw a great deal of light upon the
methods in vogue in the supervising archi-
tects bureau, which have contributed to
the delays and the unsatisfactory condi-
tions in the construction of the Washing
co., Nf9S t11y nls<,t t>,,tll
The controversy, therefore, is being noted
with unusual interest as it is expected
that as it develops it will result in the for
mutation of much material for the inter-
rupted congressional investigation into the
record of the erection of the Washington
building.