Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-18
THE CEMENT CONTRACT
INTEREST ATTACHING TO THE
COMMISSIONERS AWARD.
Years Supply Of Portland Cement
Costs District $500, OOOAThe
Tests Necessary.

Considerable interest attaches TO the
award by the Commissioners OF the con-
tract for furnishing Portland cement 10 tho
District during the current fiscal year. This
contract amounts to about S20o.OUo and -
consequently one of the largest at the dis
posal OF the local authorities. The bids
were opened some time ago, but the tests
that were necessary before an award could
be made have delayed the matter until this
time. The contract goes to the Martins
Creek Portland Cement Company of East
on. Pa.
Mr.. John b. Wight, formerly a Commits
sioner of the District. IL the secretary ana
treasurer Of the Martins Creek company.
and has been in the city during the past
few days looking after Its interests. MIR.
Wight's friends have warmly congratulated
him upon the success OF his concern in bid
ding the District contract.
There were four other proposals received
but the one submitted by Mr.. Wight's com
pany was lowest both for cement in barrels
and in sacks delivered at the District ware
house. The Martins Creek company Will
furnish the cement to the District in barrels
at eco Is a barrel and in sacks for 81 10
ID. These bids were the lowest by sew
eral cents. the others running high as
s.. 40 barrel.
In awarding the contract for cement the
Commissioners do not always accept the
lowest bid, as there is a certain standar d
required. and the material submitted In
competition must come up to this In all re-
SpectS. The various samples submitted
with the bids are numbered and turned
over to the inspectors OF cement, who
make the tests without knowing the iden-
tity of the companies in the competition.
In this way fair play is assured to all. IL
all the cement is up to standard require
ments the contract is awarded to the low
est bidder.
The award to the Martins Creek Com
pdny was made the recommendation
of the committee which handles the cement
proposals. consisting of G. Is. Hunt. engi-
neer of highways; ID. r. McComb. superin-
tendent of sewers, and X. ID. Simms. super
intendent of property.
The Quantity Procured.
In connection with the award of the
cement contract the question naturally
arises as to what disposition is made OF the
large quantity of cement called for by the
specifications. For several years past II
has been the policy of the engineer depart
ment to buy in lump amount from the
various building and construction appro-
priations at the disposal OF the Commits
sloners all the cement that would be re-
CURED for the District works of the wear
such as sewers. surface work, sidewalks.
school buildings. etc.
There is often great difficulty in securing
cement that comes up to the District
qutrements. In order that the District work
shall have the benefit of the best cement
in the market. the District makes its own
contract for the material, and specifies in
the various contracts for sewer. 6 dcwalk
and building work that the cement shall
be furnished by the District.
This cement is furnished to the contract
ors at a figure as near the market rates
for the amount required on an individual
job as is possible Usually the price charged
per barrel is 50 50. The money thus OBJ
tanned is turned in to the appropriation
from which money was drawn for the pur-
a INN nrh of h0
apparent profit secured by the District is
taken up in paying for a warehouse to
store the cement. for teams used in hauling
the material. and in clerical and inspection
work. There Is seldom any surplus left.
but whatever may be on hand is used to
apply to the several appropriations