New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-20
DISPUTE on CUSTOM HOUSE BIDS.
REALLY AS LOW AS CHARLES
7 MILLs's.

Collector George r. Bidwell went to Washington
Tuesday TO see Mr.. Taylor the Assistant Secre-
tary Of the Treasury. and try TO persuade him to
accept Charles T. Wills's bid for putting I'm the
foundation OF the new Custom House in Bowling
Green. Isaac A Hopper, the Tammsny leader of the
NXNIst Assembly District, put in a bid which was
SIC 600 lower than Mr.. wills's bid but Mr.. Bidwel
wants the contract awarded 10 Wills, who is also
q Republican
Mr. Bidwell argues that Hopper's bid calls for
two months more time in doing the work TINA
Wis's bid, that there should be added to the
amount Of his bid s22.OO0 which is approximately
two months rent for the building that the customs
department is occupying In this city, and
s. 0OO which Is two months rent for the offices now
occupied by Station A of the Postoffice the Naval
Officer OF the port, some of the Internal Reve-
nue. officers and the officers of the Lighthouse
Board, all of which are 10 be moved into the new
Custom House.
The Treasury Department admits Mr. Bidwells
contention 10 the rent but still Hoppers bid is
more than 5000 less than Wills's
To provide for this further discrepancy Mr. Bid
well contends that the Government has paid
2.2500Oo for the ground and that by accepting Hop
pers bid it Will be deprived of the use of its prop
erty for two months, there should be added to MI
Hoppers bill. in addition TO the rentals the inter
est on $4,000 for two months at per cent
year 1t was 10 argue this point especially that
Mr.. Bdweli went 10 Washington
lie saw Mr. Taylor. and in the afternoon Mr..
Taylor came 10 New-York TO consult with Cass
Gilbert. the architect
Mr.. Taylor was seen the Hotel Imperial last
and he is Of the opinion that the contract should
go to the lowest bidder. The Government is look
ing on this purely business proposition We
must consider the rentals involved but as for the
interest," on the cost OF the ground that IL another
matter 90 not concur with Mr. Bidwells sug-
gestion. The Government has the money ana
whether it is used not makes no difference in an
interest account, as we cannot figure in the inter-
est should think. roughly estimating. taking
into consideration the rentals paid that would he
Z saved that still Mr.. Hopper Is the lowest bidder
end Of the week have seen in stated Ibs % Inc
contract viii carry with it the practical certainty
tract viii have sbse ~ s %R9 secures TINS con;
be so slight that viii hardly weigh at ali I'm a
contract OF the size of the next one which will he
approximately for H.500.0OO.
When Cass Gilbert; the architect, was seen YES
terdsy afternoon with reference to the bids he re-
lion must come from the TTeasu 'sf an in59r%s
lowest three bios and the time needed doing the
work were as follows: p J. Carlin & Co SECS ssT
In fifteen months; Isaac 4. Hopper a Son sSSS So
IN eight months: Charles T. Wills sos 90 i'm ali,
r1lohtis. ne Nhole matter rests with Secretary
Gage and the view he takes OF the different bids
ali. but there were such glazing CNss. DID OF
IN u mat - has been eliminated from consideration
" men price alone II considered the hid ofT saac
Hopper q Son Is the lowest by $50 4l9 PM tba
present Custom House Is $50 CO.. 1--WE dor us
rental the difference in time between The
two months interest at Der cent &c e. With
which sum represents the Governments invest.
$5eS s;s or fsi7 more than the bid OF Charles r
Contractors Who have investigated the ei,ua,,o,
sac 9 yssslere>: nat II an rested with Secretary
account the extra two months rep,s 70 take into
sI "9 az nave 20 pay under the Hopper
srnmenrs Investment should be added TO the Sid
a,s ass iol Two months extra time then the
st 9tnsrwlse not II Is possible thar the fact tbst
which has excited the admiration or 1aesI S, Mork
hn,i, e ~ soms weight with the seeretary lie
iunnia University buildings. ~ ~