Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-23
AWARD OF A CONTRACT
Criticisms of Having Police Uniforms Made
in Baltimore.
The Reasons on Which the Commits
sioners Acted-Report of Capt.
Austin.

in The Star of Yesterday that the District
Commissioners had approved the recon-
mendatiun of the committee of police Off
GERS appointed by them to examine the pro-
posais and accompanying samples in the
matter Of supplying uniforms for the force
is beng criticised to some extent. The
committee which consisted of Capt. Aus
tin, the three inspectors and the nine lieu
tenants of the force, recommended that the
contract be awarded to Resented Bros. of
Baltimore, Md. 1t is asserted. however,
that two firms, both local ones, by the way
offered to supply the clothing at price
lower than that fixed by the Baltimore es-
Establishment.
The lowest bidders, it is said, were
Messrs. Cherry, Moran Company of this city
while the Standard Tailors, also of this
city, are said to have agreed to furnish
the clothing at prices between those of
the Baltimore house and Chery, Moran
Company Including the summer and win
ter clothing, the Baltimore firms figures
are said to have been $JT.15 while those of
emery, Moran Company were SOD.
1t should, perhaps, be stated that the
baltimore firm is at present the contractor
for furnishing the members of the police
force with clothing, and Capt Austin, in
explanation of the report and recommended
ton, said the committee believed it would
serve the interests of al to give this firm
the contract, rather than to experiment
ference in price is so small
In further explanation of the committees
report ne said: III the clothing could be
made by Washington workmen the ques-
ton would present a different feature; but
as II must be sent abroad for making under
any circumstances, in our opinion the pres
ent contractor, after a long experience, I'M
derStahds our needs, is the nearest to the
city, allows repairs and changes to be made
mere, and, under new regulations, must
give exactly what is wanted and knows
best how to do it,
As stated in The Star, Chief Sylvester
neither approved nor disapprOVed the com
mltteeS recommendation.
Mr.. Wight's Endorsement,
These uniforms" explained Commission
er Wight in his Endorsement of the COM
mittee's report. ARE paid for by the police
men out of their salaries. After receiving
proposals to furnish uniforms, the matter
has been considered by the nine Heuten-
ants. three inspectors and the captain. as
representing the men who are to make the
payments. AS these men represent the en-
tire force. their recommendation should be
cOncurred in / therefore recommend that
the within report of Capt. Austin, chair
man, be approved by the Commissioners"
Local Statement.
Mr.. Moran said today in regard to the
bids that the incident was closed, as the
award had been made, but at the same
time he did not think it was fair to say
the contract was given to the Baltimore
firm because it was known that they would
give satisfaction. which would be an init
nation that it was doubtful whether the
local firms would do the same.
The local firms had their reDutations To
Keep up. carrying out such a contract. and
at the same time would have been held by
s"."p bond to satisfactorily fulfill the
contract.
strongly made today that the policemen
themselves did not indorse the recommend
at1on OF the lyieutenants, but for the rea-
sons OF convenience, as well as local pride.
would much prefer to get their uniforms
from a home firm.
Not Signed Yet.
The Commissioners, although they have
approved the recommends ton of the ex-
aiming committee, have not vet signed
the order awarding TIE contract to the
Baltimore firm, and, as the matter has not
yet been 20 concluded, it may be that the
committees recommendation may after all
be Gisregarded and the contract awarded
to the lowest bidder
No conclusion has vet been reached nv
the Commissioners, it is said. in the matter
o. the disposition of the bids received for
IufnlSAlnS summer and winter uniforms to
tue members of the fire department II
was said at the District building this after
noon, however. that the contract will prob
ably be awarded to the Baltimore firm
Messrs. Resented Bros. But in this con-
nection the assertion is also ma de that that
firm was not the lowest bidder.