Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-12-02

wrong. While such course might
possibly be taken by individuals. for
the Government to do 81. would he
step on its part to destroy the inter-
ests of the community. The persons
engaged in the supply Of labor and
materials for the erection Of buildings
compose a large class OF heavy tax
payers, and the Government is certain
~ interested in the welfare of its con-
stituents and supporters. This is shown
by fOrbidding all except citizen labor
on contracts. why not as well limit
the bidding on contracts 10 bona fide
citizens Of the Territory"
And in view of this the undersigned
committee was appointed to address
you on the matter and present their
view as it was considered very impor-
tant that such matter be Immediately
taken up owing to the large amount Of
work under the Loan Act.
We would call attention first, to the
fact that the Government is supported
b ythe tax payers of the Territory,
and in letting all contracts for the
Government. either for public works,
Of supplies for the different Depart
ments, II shall be borne in mind that.
as such tax payers, our proportion OF
expenditures Is borne whether II be
large or small, and such being the case
where fair valuation is asked or
bid for supplies, or work, a preference
shall be given 10 local bidders.
In case aof such preference being
shown to the local bidders. the Gov
eminent, while perhaps paying little
more for its supplies or work, insures
more satisfactory distribution OF its
funds and indirectly aids TO its strength
and revenue by the increase of stocks
Of merchandise on which taxes are
paid and the support Of all those dir
ectly and even indirectly benefited by
such action. The Government is form
ed for the protection fthe peoplea
whom 1t governs. and II is not pro-
lteCtiOn to them when bids for supplies
or work Is asked from those who do
not support II by taxes or otherwise.
III Nut llldNNfl vi Nllt government lOI
its own protection being forced TO ask
for bids from the Mainland or else
where, to prevent its being controlled
by such preference to local bidders
and from the standpoint of economy,
1t is safe to say that that the Govern
ment at the present time purchases in
he open market from the local houses
at the lowest market rates. And on
NontraCts for public work where plans
and specifications are drawn. the de-
partmenls putting such work out for
public tender, know from the est.
mates of the Engineer or Superintend-
cnt who designed such work, the ap.
ihoXimate cost Of the work. and know
when a bid or tender Is excessive. II
Is only natural to presume that the
merchants or contractors here must
bid at an advanced price over non
local bidders, because In the usual
course Of business. a profit must be
made on such goods handled or work
done, or tahey must 20 out OF business,
The Government does not necessarily
pay for all the difference IN the advanc-
ed prices for on all profits 50 made
the Government is a direct beneficiary
In the taxes paid by all parties on Their
incomes, or in the case of corporations
on their net profits. which Is not the
case when the Government awards It's
contracts to nOn-lOCal bidders. who
make theair profit and do not pay a
dollar / ntaXes.
In the matter of the Dredging OF the
harbor. we are informed that bids are
being asked for In San Francisco on
this work solely with the idea that the
Government must be protected from
any combination which may be formed
here to control prices. While admit
ting that such is a good move in that
respect, yet cannot competent men who
have planned such work estimate what
would be a fair price and If the local
: bids exceeded such price to the extent
that the community interests would
suffer, then 1t would be right and prop,
err to protect those interests by ac'
rpntInp nj har bids hut 40 tho hide ra.