Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-09
D DISTRICT SUPPLIES
MIR. WEST TAKES FURTHER STEPS
REGARDING PURCHASES
The Question Of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. to
UEf
Property Clerk Issued and
Form Of Voucher.

AS one of the important incidents con-
nected with bis recent scrutiny of requisi-
tons for the purchase of District supplies
Commissioners Henry L. West made the dis
covery that a legally binding contract had
been entered into by the property clerks
office for the purchase of 5000 worth of
butter during the current fiscal year with
out any attempt to secure competitive bids.
In addition to this the agreement covers
the purchase Of large quantities of eggs
and cheese. All of the supplies in question
are for use at District institutions.
The dealer with whom the agreement to
purchase these goods was made is Mr..
James F. Oyster. Mr.. Oyster informed
commissioner West that he had bought the
butter necessary to supply the various in
situations during the year and that it is
on cold storage at the Center market.
MI. West, upon hearing Of the agree
ment sent note to Property Clerk F. o.
Beckett, asking him for the details of the
transaction. Mr. Beckett replied today
that the agreement was a verbal one and
that no competitive bids were asked. AS
Mr. Beckett Is the authorized agent Of the
District, and as the dealer in question has
purchased the supplies in good faith, the
Dlstr1ct Will carry out the agreement, the
commissioners feeling that they are legally
as well as morally bound to it. In the flu
ture' however. such supplies will be made
nave mad an opportunity Of submitting bids.
Instructions Issued.
Commissioner West has issued instruc-
tions to the property clerk regarding the
purchase Of dress goods and sewing sup
plies for the manual training schools. In
his note to the property clerk the Com
missioner says:
Among the acquisitions to which I have
1I,rfv, Ahn
months there are several for dress goods
Ing schools. Each one Of these requisi-
tons directs that the goods be ordered
from certain firm. I understand 1t has
been the custom for some time past to
buy these materials of said firm without
competition. In requisition which reach
es me today find that one other firm has
been asked to bid. but I desire that this
matter shall be carried further. and that
your office prepare a schedule including all
OF these materials. which are staple arti-
cles, viz: Calicoes, dress cambrics, leno,
tape. buttons, basting threads, spool silk
and spool cotton.
You will make I'D this schedule from
requisttions that have been coming to your
office, and will advertise for bids, so that
In the future purchases will be made ac-
cording to contract from the lowest bidder,
and not as In the present case, purchased
from some favored firm at the pleasure Of
the official making the purchase. This par
dcular requisition will be filled by you ac-
cording to the bids received. but. even in
this case, itsseems to me that more than
one dealer. other than the firm requested
by the maker of the requisition, should
have been asked to submit proposals.
Another result Of the inquiry set on foot
by Commissioner West is the adoption Of
what may be termed an iron-clad voucher,
which will protect the District in the flu
ture. This voucher is not only certificate
as to the delivery of the goods in question,
but Is further statement TO the effect hat
the goods in question were purchased from
the lowest responsible bidders. The new
form Of certificate Is as follows:
Il hereby certify that the prices charged
for the articles specified in the above bill
are correct and just; that the purchases I'M
der contract are in accordance with con-
tract prices and the purchases in open mar
ket were made from the lowest responsible
competitive bidders at no more than the
market price for the best and most suita-
BILE articles, and. that the needs Of the pub
lie service required the purchases to be
made In the manner indicated.