The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-02
Another Test Of Paper Finds
C,p Two Pounds Under Weight
BUT COST IS MUCH GREATER
NJ. waterman Takes Exception to Mr.
GIe,sun's Statements Citizens Want
Hearings 0psn 10 Public.

The startling developments in regard 10
purchases os school supplies from the
United States Mill supply company have
attracted widespread interest and the
uatter is discussed in all quarters.
Tho general sentiment seems TO favor
giving the taxpayers chance to attend
the hearing before the executive commit
zee IN order TO expose every bit OF
''crooked work" should any be found 10
the public eve and thus to avoid the
stigma of the implication that some one
IL being shielded.
IL Is quite evident that the executive
committee as a whole, courts pubncity'
however, for at its recent meeting Presi-
dent Gleason told Mr.. Waterman that he
did not care for either his or MT. An
drew's presence at this session.
Mr.. Waterman stated that he asked DR.
Gleason IL his presence and that of his
colleague on the accounts committee was
required, and on being Informed that II
was not ne stayed away. He said he re-
ceived an invitation 10 the earlier meet
ing OF the accounts committee at which
the bill was first brought up.
In connection with a statement OF DR..
Gleason. Mr.. Waterman objects TO the
following portion:
"The purcha sing agent wanted to buy
. supply of paper for a year, and he
was authorized 10 do 80 by the commit
tee.
when he came 20 make the purchase
several weeks later. the prices had ad-
vanced and as II was desired 20 have
a rather better quality OF paper than
had been shown by sample, the prices
paid were higher than those that had
been submitted TO the committee This
was perfectly proper. as the bids sub
mftted had not been accepted by the
committee. and the purchasing agent
had been authorized To do the best he
couid In regard TO price and quality,
which he undoubtedly did under the cir
cumstances.'
NO RISE IN PRICE.
Mr.. Waterman said. las a matter of
fact at the first meeting OF the executive
committee held TO investigate this matter
the purchasing agent, Mr.. Pyne was
present. The question was asked Mr..
Pyne by n member Of the committee,
whether or not there had been any rise
IN the price OF paper between the time
of the investigation The answer was
NO."
''As far rs the quality of the paper
now on hand Is concerned. there isn't
any sane man but who will concede that
the pnper now on hand In a far poorer
quality than any We have had In the
schools in several years. In fact, we
weighed both this new paper and some
that we had been using before COM
mittee OF taxpayers. and. while tho old
paper weighed ~ pounds to the ream.
the now paper weighed but 10 po inds to
IN roam.
Mr.. Waterman continued: "As 10
whether there In an excessive amount OF
paper on hand at the present time. I
would simply say that for the last two
years previous 10 this year the total cost
Of paper was $500 oS an average OF $3.50
per year. Already this year according TO
this bill. there has been 5000 worth OF
paper purchased, or nearly three years
supply
II went TO the purchasing agents office
and learned that in the first place there
was sent to the schools all that they
could take. then a room was hired outside
the school department aud that has been
filled with paper. some 20 cases in all,
believe. and I'm addition to all this there
are 1on cases stored somewhere else, out
eide OF the department. II may be left
60 any mans judgment as TO whether
that is an excessive amount or not"
weighed one OF the packages We
bought two years ago and the ream
weighed with its wrapper over IL pounds
The last lot. wrapper and all, weighed
barely ~ pounds.
Now said Mr. Waterman today. ''it'.
not true 10 say that I made this move
for political reasons. for IL was up to me
tn square myself with my constituents
when DIR. Gleason virtually accused me
OF talking through my hat when I OBJ
jected 10 the payment Of that bill
There were number OF prominent
taxpayers OF the city present at the school
committee meeting last Friday night and
others are greatly Interested I'm the matter
and will carefully watch the outcome.
'One man said he would. II the execu-
tive committee tried to report favoraby
to the payment OF that bill. personally
bear the expense Of taking the matter
into the courts. II the city did not do II. +"
DR. GLEAsoN's STATEMENT.
Or. Gleason when asked concerning the
discrepancy between the facts as given
In his statement and the facts as pre-
eented BY Mr.. Waterman. said: II don't
believe that care 10 have anything more
70 say on the matter at present. de-
cline 10 enter into any controversy with
Mr. Waterman on this matter or TO
nave anything 90 say until the committee
reports
~ II was the purchasing agent who
toid MIN that there had been no rise In
prices. X would made no difference. for
.nese goods were not bought by contract.
lhey ,meaning Mr. Waterman and his
supporters) have had Ave or six weeks
70 work up their side. and our side will
come out when the committee makes its
report" '''
At the office OF the United state. NH
supply company on South Water stree,
Mr. Rocks. one OF the firm, said that he
had no statement 20 make in connection
with the affair.
our attorney. Borden ID. whiting. will
make whatever statements necessary" he
eaid. They always have 20 yet some
thing Of this sort started about this tim.
Of year." he continued. and we won't havs
anything 10 say until the meeting of "a.
executive committee. when the hearins
VIII take place"
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