New-York tribune., 1901-02-01
MONEY IN FIRE SUPPLIES.
CONTRACT OF WILLIAM L. MARKS WITH
TWO COMPANIES.

He SECURED AS HIGH AS . PER CENT on
GOODS SOLD TO THE CITY-THE
AGREEMENT WAS TO EXPIRE
NEXT JANUARY
William 7. Marks. the friend OF Fire Commits
sioner scanneI and the agent for the sal> OF
supnlies 10 the Fire Department. said 20 IT'D
,,pe reporter yesterday that he was pleased Win
the report 10 Controller Coler on the contested
hin for supplies, amounting 70 1881. which de-
eIered that there had been an overcharge OF
S255 II was evident that the asseru~ that ne
was pleased was not 20 be taken liUrally as ne
went on to say that he ought 10 be happy II ne
could sell goods amounting 10 S"Oo.OO to the
city and the Controller could find overcharges
amounting TO only SS5o.
The Controller has had to pay the other
hi,s t" Mr. Marks continued and the contest
over the disputed bin will be carried into the
courts. do not admit that have overcharged
The city for goods sold 10 the Fire Department
controller Coler said yesterday that the re-
,ort on the contested hill was only sample of
the reports on other bills which had been PAID
hecause the Controller was forced 10 pay them.
Nr Coier permitted newspaper men to see
rer,ort made by two representatives Of the
Finance Department who had been investigat-
ing the sale of supplies 10 the Fire Department
through Mr. Marks. The report contained
statement OF a conversation which the two oft-
cials had with II. c. Corson, the vice-president
of the p r Goodrich Company. MI Corson'
the report says. told the two representatives Of
tho Finance Department that the Goodrich
company charged Marks - cents foot for
81 s-inch fire hose. which was sold 10 the city
under contract at 81 a foot. Marks receiving the
difference ~ % cents a foot from the Goodrich
Company.
Mr.. Corson told the officials. the report says.
that in the case 81 other transactions which
Marks had with the Goodrich company the per-
csntages varied. according 10 the nature Of the
goods sold As a convenience 10 Marks, the
Goodrich company would purchase various sup
plies such as Marks obtained orders for from
the Fire Department the purchase being made
by the Goodrich company in its own name from
other firms, and the goods were then sold TO the
Fire Department AZ prices fixed by Marks. In
each transaction the Goodrich company charged
> per cent on the cost of the goods 10 the COM
psny. and Marks received the difference between
that price and tho price obtained from the Fire
Department. such transactions included the
sale Of life guns life belts and a variety Of brass
fittings and other smaller supplies
Later IN the interview. The report says Mr.
Corson told the representatives of the Finance
why the Goodrich company could not sell sup
plies direct TO the city. but that fl was a fact
that ~ could not make such direct sales. al
though the company would be willing 70 sell 10
The city AT the prices il sold goods 10 Marks:
that although the Goodrich company made bids
For contracts in its own name. presented the
hills in It's own name for goods delivered and
receipted for ;he money paid Tor the CITY Mr.
Corson did not regard the transactions as those
~ the company. bur being transactions by
Marks. as they were IN accordance with an
agreement with Marks
Tho Controller has COPIES Of two contracts
which were made between the La France Fire
Engine Company and William /. Marks and
ei"een The American Fire Engine Company
and Marks in 1892. when the two COMPANIES
were competitors for business with the Fire De
paftnent In each contract Il was stipulated
ma ma MARKS vas TO receive the following per
oentages for the sales 10 the Fire Department:
First-Upon double extra FIRST. extra first frs,
second and third sizes OF steam FIRE engines the
second tnor ~, foygI 81 coRlIact s'ld pIIee
I'm or IA per cent OF contract price.
single saders aTo rrd16S goSS 81 All size upon an
re Fa,,-, oI = Per , cent upon purchase price.
he mutually agreed upon hy the parties hereto from
Another clause in the contract with each com
psnE was the following:
II Is further agreed in consideration Of the agency
herein established and the faithful performance ~
1ls duties thereunder by the party OF ne second
lsrl- tnai IN case Tor reason IN should become
aoNlsahie or necessary for the party of the 6rst
part n sell any apparatus herein provided Tor a.
rfcuN 10 SAID city, and without anv agency ar sc-
1 1on on me part OF the party of the second part
men, ano IN that event, the party Of the sec
were made by himself.
II Is Stipulated in the contract that the agree
nent shall continue until January l. 1902 That
happens 20 be the date when the term of tho
present Iammany administration expires and
~ ny Sa1e Eheh a new Fire Commissioner may
poIOeo poo yesterday that the Grand Jury viii prob
soiy take hand in the investigation of ,be
~'e "' supplies 20 the Fire Department
TO PUSH BLAcKWELLS ISLAND S,,ur,,r
u vas rllrnnrea q. IL. r...-- ~ :. -.