The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-21
Continued from page Seven.

A--Four and one-half cents
'.If they charged In 1929 and 1900 sh
cents for white cutting paper they
charged more than the contract called for.
The contract for white cutting paper In
1899 and 1900 was 4i-s cents" said Mr..
Pyne referring to his records.
Mr.. Hogan-What are you reading from
now?
Mr.. Pyne-A list OF contracts supposed
20 be in the office OF the purchasing
agent made out in the secretarys Office.
Mr.. Hogan-whose handwriting Is
that?
Mr.. Pyne-I don't know; this was made
IN 1ss9-l9oo.
Mr. Barney--I suppose you had the
power 10 investigate the records In the
Office OF the secretary OF the committee,
DID you not?
Mr. Pyne--I did. but ] didn't want to
70 over there almost every day and ask
them to show me their books.
The volleys OF applause. cheers jeers
and hisses which were delivered by the
crowd during this dialogue was very dis
cone0rting to the committeeman and the
chairman, DIR. Gleason made n plea for
less noisy demonstration saying: Cen
tlemen, we didn't invite these public
hearings, but now that the public is here
we cannot expect II TO refrain from ap-
piause when we furnish II with enter
tainment, but we want TO get through
this matter before Friday Of the coming
week so as to clear up matters for the
new committee. We don't want TO have
work for new men to come in and finish
up that would be embarrassing. you
know.
You can stop coming when you get
tired of these meetings." DIR. Gleason
said hut we have to keep on coming
I'LL II Is finished"
THINGS CHEAPER AFTERwA--o.
Mr.. Barney inquired OF Mr. Pyne
where an invoice of eight dozen horn
spoons went to. as he said that he
thought there was a price less than the
one paid, that would have bought them.
Mr. Pyne said he was unable to say
which of three high schools got the order
and said he did not know the size to tell
Mr.. Barney 90 they could be identified
Mr.. Pyne said further: THE prices that
are given after the goods are bought
are always lower than when you want
20 buy. I found that out for myself.
can buy litmus paper for Ave cents now
that cost me 80 cents before"
You mean that the fellow with some
thing rood always comes after you have
got all you want? asked DIR. Gleason.
MIR. Pyne assented and continued to say
that he found there was no such thing
ss = uniform price for goods.
The matter of the Is per cent discount
was again touched on Mr.. Pyne stating II
tie committee knew OF II the members
should nave told him.
Mr.. barney asked II the bids and bills
were not on file in the clerks Office.
where he could see them at any time.
DIR. Gleason said that IL was only fair
to say that the purchasing agent not be-
ing able 10 get on In the friendliest way
made II difficult TO have Mr.. Pyne going
frequently TO the clerks Office.
Mr.. Pyne said he did not see why he
should go TO the secretarys office for the
record OF bills any way
WEIGHT vs. QUALITY.
The matter Of the 12 pound cap paper
was taken up again and Mr.. Pyne stated
he thought that the weight OF paper had
very little to do with quality. He said:
II can take some OF the coarse meat mar
ket paper and cut II into reams the size
OF this cap which will be a great deal
heavier than the best bond paper on the
market.
II am quite sure" said Mr.. Barney.
that the quality OF paper In the better
grades is determined almost entirely by
is weight and paper experts will bear
me out I think
did you not pay more for paper than
the bids called forf" asked Mr. Barney.
Mr.. Pyne replied, Bids were made, but
were rejected. where I thought could
set the best at the smallest price,
Mr.. Pyne at this point read the specifi-
cations as they were made out.
Mr.. Barney asked II Sshere was not a
note In the specifications that all paper
should be equal to the i2-pound cap. and
should be In half-ream packages. Mr..
Pyne replied that he had placed that re-
Quirement In the specifications himself.
After the vote leaving the matter TO the
purchasing agent. he thought he had full
power.
Il didn't profess to be infalllble." said
Not at $500 . ye~rr' said Mr.. Hogan.
mo. SIR
II was later developed In Mr. Pyne's
testimony that he had copied the specii-
:ations from the form he found In his Of
loo left BY his predecessor though. he
aid. he did not know II was the execu-
lothing In II any way to be proud OF, "he
aid
when you were left 10 buy the paper.
ccording 10 your judgement. did you
Understand that you were TO buy some
hing altogether different than the bill
allied for"
Mr.. Pyne said he thought the rejection
4 the bills was an implication that the
'aper submitted was Of too poor a quality
Both DR.. Gleason and Mr. Beagan said
hat they did not think that the pur-
hastng agent was bound TO buy according
o the.--pecifications.
Mr. Philbrick said that this rejection OF
he bids according 10 Mr.. Pyne was a new
Interpretation OF the matter. according TO
ne memory II felt that IL was n matter
u economy for the city or I certainly
would not have voted for the rejection OF I
me bids. j thought the contract would I
sost us more money and ! dld not be-
hese " Was economy, OF policy for the '
city TO be bound 10 one price for paper FOR ,
a "no'e year That was what We hired
~. ~ purchasing agent for" he said:
'"s. why ! voted 10 refer the matter
W MN. IL there was any chance for
In regard 10 the matter. !
'hen mink the executive committee "a
blame" '"u ,
MI. beasan said he deplored the contro- '
versy between the members of the hosrd
and Thought they could adjust am, d,e,er'
Dnces they might have In private
TO ATTRACT ATTENTION.