The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-06
THE DISTRICT PRINTING.
Auditor Petty Desires II Done by
Local Firms.

J. T. Petty the Auditor of the District,
has submitted to the Commissioners for
their consideration and approval
number of suggestions relative to con-
tracts for job printing and the purchase
Of supplies. The Auditor is Of the Opin-
ion that the job printing and the pur-
chase OF certain supplies should be con-
tracted for with parties in the District,
as matter OF convenience to the Com
missioners and their subordinates. He
states that the delay caused by sending
TO other cities and the attendant incon-
venience more than offset any small
amounts that are saved by dealing with
outside firms. In his communication to
the Commissioners Mr.. Petty says:
-As the time is near at hand for the
preparation of the usual advertisements
for proposals from intending bidders, pre-
liminary to the annual letting of con-
tracts for work and supplies, l deem IL
my duty to invite your attention in adj
vance to the item Of printing with view
to suggesting a change of method, I'm re-
gard thereto, which will in my opinion
materially conduce TO the interest Of ev-
cry department OF the District Govern
ment.
For many years II has been customary
TO advertise in New York, Philadelphia,
X.
and contracts therefor of every character
from the least important office blank to
the delinquent tax lists have at various
times been awarded I'm each of these cities.
The execution Of orders by contractors
so far removed from the offices making
the acquisitions has. in the nature of the
case. been frequently delayed to such an
extent as to cause serious Inconvenience
and embarrassment. In addition TO the
delay there was also serious loss in one
Instance, the entire pamphlet containing
the delinquent tax list, which cost over
81 800 being rendered Valueless and the
sale void because Of errors which were
due to the fact that the proof being
read In distant city was not corrected,
as II would have been had the work been
done at home under the supervision of
the trained force Of the Collectors Office.
This difficulty has reached such proper
lions that work which is urgent and i'm
portant in its character is often ordered
of local printers, but always at the risk,
on the one hand, of a disallowance in our
accounts for the differences between con-
tract rates ard open market prices. and
on the other Of the accusation OF bad
faith by the contractor for giving TO
others orders which he considers should
Tightfully be placed with him.
The custom IN vogue has apparently
grown out Of what seems to me to be a
msapprehension OF section 8, of the
organic act OF June H. 1873. That pro-
vision is as follows:
" That hereafter when any repairs OF
streets. avenues. alleys. or sewers within
the District of Columbia are to be made
or when new paVements are to be substi-
tuted in place of those worn out new
ones laid. or new streets opened, sewers
built, or any works the total cost of
which shall exceed the sum of 81 go no
tice shall be given in one newspaper In
Washington, and If the total cost shall
exceed 5000, then in one newspaper In
each Of the cities of New York, Philadel-
phia, and Baltimore. also for one week
for proposals. with full Specifications as
to material for the whole or any portion
OF the works proposed to be done
THE words or any works. the total
cost of which shall exceed the sum of
81 CO., are those which have been held TO
include printing, but / am satisfied that
this item was not in the contemplation of