The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-09

troll made the selection, from the samples offered
aour letter e1alightsnng this point. and here
sIter such blunder as submitting samples 20 the
BOARD IN the hope Of securing contract may be
avoided, and the method suggested by you
s.h eh ths samples adopted, as by this method you
nave no doubt the change asked for could be
made very readily and easily"
Fancy the manufacturers who NAV he inclined to
pa Tor supplies running the country seeing
COOKS and stewards and presenting them with
samples in order to get their good viii and valued
opinion on matters that the state officers sup
posed 10 be conFersant with
Is It to be inferred from this that the submitting
Of samples 10 the board is simply farcef II Is not
20 De wondered at that some Of our most prominent
nome manufacturers decline 20 bid for state sup
phes From the general tone Of your letter it must
De taken that you either read the resolutions care
less5 or that in attempt at a defense Of the
netnods now in vogue with the board Of audit and
control you deliberately misstase the facts
II you Will take the trouble 20 glance over the
list Of supplies called for recently you will End that
IN nearly every case where manufactured goods are
wanted some Eastern brand is particularly specified
this is not sntagonistic TO local manufacturers.
we would ash, What is I'll Is IL possible for state
manufacturers bid for an article that is plainly
designated in your call By its brand name. which
brand Is tho property Of an Eastern manufacturer
We find among some Of the goods called for in the
last list articles that made In foreign states.
called for under the brand name aud al the same
time il is well known fact that similar goods are
manufactured In this state and are offered at a
lower price than the foreign brand, but account
OF the system now in vogue the home goods are
not acceptable for the that the local manu-
chasing around the country looking for cooks and
stewards % present them with samples, whose Sill
perior knowledge is such important matter With
the board
Under the past administration the heads Of de-
partmens generally made up the list Of wants. and
calls were Issued In accordance Herewith. but the
selection 81 samples and the determination q their
quality was a matter that the board looked after.
and was not left 10 the employees Of any Of the in
stttutions. and II is a matter Of record that when
goods on the list known 20 be manufactured
in the state the can specified Washington made
goods thus giving all home manufacturers chance
10 bid The is true Of other states. On looking
into this matter we find that preference Is iuvar-
iably given 10 the home factory II is only fair that
this spirit is shown the local manufacturers and
their army Of employees contribute in small de-
gree TO the maintenance Of those state institutions
Must infer that the cooks and stewards are
the proper authorities to dictate whose make OF
variety Of other manufactured goods are the best
adapted for use in the several state institutional
On the face of your oan for bids this Is wrong.
for in nearly every case your honorable board Of
audit and control ask for samples TO be submitted
What Is the ~ submitting samples II the board
has already accepted the brands ordered By the
cooks. stewards and accountantsf
II the position you take Is proper one, then the
great army Of citizens and merchants should take
their advice in the purchase OF goods. which ADVICE
could be had for the asking and ON the presump-
ton that the cooks stewards etc, are authorities
On the prices and quality Of necessities, such as are
used in the state institutions. the merchants aud
citizens would be greatly benefited
The state is TO be congratulated on the wise selec
tons made by its officers Of employees whose knowl-
edge is superior that their advice IL necessary IN
matters Of this kind.
In conclusion the Manufacturer Association has
passed resolutions denouncing the tone Of your re
Div 10 the communication addressed TO you and the
state board Of audit and control, as deliberate
and personal insult 20 every MANUFACTURER In the
state Of Washington. Respectfully YOURS
The Manufacturer Association of Seattle H.
Schocken, Secretary.