The Washington times., 1903-07-17
Excess, Given as 528 Yards.
Explained by Property
Clerk, But Commission
erS Are Not Satisfied.
Failure to Receive Proper
Report Led Commission
erS to Renew Contract,
Which They Are Now Un-
able to Suspend.

able to Suspend.
From certain papers on file in the
District Building. IT appears that the
District Commissioners have let Sc
ries OF contracts TO the firm Of Blum
Bros, dry goods merchants. for the cur
rent year. Notwithstanding that this
hrm was charged by Gen. H V. Boynton.
president OF the board of education. with
hagrant irregularities, and overcharzes
on articles supplied under the contract.
Blum Bros have had the contract for
furnishing window shades to the pub
lie schools for several years. and since
1900 have bid for and charged for win
dow shades by the running yard" In
making out their bill TO the District
last year. Blum Bros charged by the
square yard" which was greatly to
their advantage. For instance, a run
ming yard OF window shade material
1 Il yards wide would contain IA square
yards
The price per square yard should be
about 10 cents. while the running yard
contract called for IsH cents Thus
they could obtain 27zt cents per running
yard. or so per cent more than according
to the cider method
The firm Of Blum Bros was faced with
these facts. and Immediately offered TO
make reparation by refundins the over
charge. and explaining that it was a
mere oversight" that its members had
contracted By the square yard in 1900
and forgot that they had contracted by
the running yard in 1893
In spite Of these facts, which were
early as April 27 last. the firm Of Blum
Bros. was awarded contracts for nuner-
Gus items in furniture, hardware, tin
ware. groceries, drugs. glass. paints.
varnish. and drygoods.
An Overcharge Of 5as Yards.
The first instance of direct over
charge was in connection with the sup
plies for the Franklin School. when. il
appears, Blum Bros rendered a bin for
I III yards Of "curtaining" in excess Of
what was actually supplied Other build
I ings were measured and a total over
I charge OF 52S yards discovered
/ General Boynton, under date of June 20
calls the attention of the Commissioners
to his earlier letter, and makes the
pertinent suggestion that he thinks the
/ Commissioners should not have award
/ ed the contract TO the same firm for
another year and should take steps TO
/ protect the District from such con-
| tractors.
This last letter was addressed to Com
missioner West. who Immediately insti-
tuted an investigation. with the result
that the irregular dealings Of this firm
were discovered. The fact that the Dis
trict Office had been advised OF this
! shortcoming last April worried the Com
missfoners. who asked Property Clerk
Beckett for an explanation.
The Property Clerks Statement
Mr.. Beckett admitted that he had had
communication from the secretary OF
the Board OF Education some time In
| April. had investigated the charges
therein. and found them correct He
/ found an overeharge Of 529 2-3 yards
total, and asked for an explanation from
| the contractors.
In his report Property Clerk Beckett
says They (Blum Bros-) offered no
objection 10 refunding the overcharge.
claiming that Il was all a mistake.
Blum Bros. commenced contracting
for supplies for the District Government
in 1895. and have had contracts every
year since for items OF drygoods, hard
ware. tinware. feather busters. soap.
etc. During the eight years Blum
Bros. have had contracts there have
been instances where goods have been
returned for not being equal to the con-
tract. but plausible explanations were
always made"
The property clerk then closes with
a practical Endorsement Of the methods
practiced by the firm. for he says: I
recommend that awards be made to
Blum Bros. for the coming fiscal year.
and do not feel that the above war
rants the striking OF of the name OF
Blum Bros. from the list of contractors"
Commissioner West Objects,
This report was given Commissioner
West June 26. and he took issue imme-
diatcly with tho property clerk
'Tf the overcharge." says the junior
Commissioner. had occurred in one
school building, the explanation that