The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-28
Continued from page Ten.

Ing the committee thought IL best 10 nave
IL.
BOUGHT IN EXCESS OF NEEDS.
Taking up the first charge, Mr.. Barney
continued; The committee all ffnd that
the paper was bought I'm excess OF the
needs for this school year and also that
the estimate OF the needs was arrived
at by misleading reports from the
The supplies were estimated for the
year instead OF half year as formerly,
the heidi dirrerence bet between the Estimates and
the requisitions. Those estimates can
not be found" he stated. but the re-
quisitions are on file in the, purchasing
AGENTS office. not having been turned
over TO the secretary of the school de-
partment. They were submitted to the
executive committee during the investi-
cation
This year also the paper comes IN
ream packages and the requisition blanks
furnished the teachers provides that the
double sheets.
'The estimates were furnished as so
many packages. and this was interpreted
rs reams. and so reported to Mr.. Pyne.
consequently In placing the order the es-
Innate would be double that of the half
-ream packages.
This in very large degree explains
Of the school needs. In the matter OF
spelling slips there could be no confusion
rs TO the number TO such an extent For
tie past tHTte years the average was
about 1900 This year 74,434 were pur
chased How this came about nobody
Mr Barney continued to speak of cap
paper. and stated that about IL times the
amount used in previous years had been
ordered this year, but there is no rea-
son to believe that there was any rea-
paper he received estimates for.
THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.
There Is no account to contradict Il.
There may be surRises. but they would
be but the veriest surmises. The agent
10 entitled TO the benefit OF every doubt,
rs II does appear that during the year ne
has tried to keep his stock down
We can only explain this as some
clerical error or mistake I'm the estimates
or In transcription. and We. are unan-
nous In finding that the amount OF paper
1rdered was warranted by the needs as
he estimated them.
Now in regard 10 credit memoranda.
Mr. Pyne found the errors ia looking
over the bill. and notified the vendors,
the United states Mill SlnpIy company.
the credits.
He. honestly firmly believe, meant
70 credit the sums or put no bills. This
committee does not think this method OF
leaving the -efedite- TO be fixed -,ip- later
is good business. Mr.. Pyne was under the
impression that IL was the custom OF tho
Office, and adhered to II.
Il Will say that the amount OF correc-
tons is not large, as outside the matter
Of paper they only amount 10 about s234
In regard to the high school pencils the
are returned"
The only serious count under the third
charge, Mr.. Barney said. was that about
30 OF 20 cases of paper in storage and 20
more In the rooms OF the Mil Supply
company. Investigation showed that the
city did not have place for this huge
supply company offered to store It.
NOT UP TO SAMPLE.
Mr. Barney said that on the fourth
count with the exception OF the paper
that charges was not proven he thought
and the fifth count was not sustained.
Mr.. Barney then reviewed at length
the experts testimony OF Wednesday,
saying that experts may be able to tell
the difference In the grade Of paper by
the feel. but he had not found them and
that weight was the best He contended
the paper furnished was not UP TO weight
and that there can be no question OF
II as the scales show IL plainly.
Mr.. Comstock spoke on the resolution
and said he wished to call the secretary's
attention so that he could make note OF
II that the executive committee had been
In session for two weeks till nearly mid
night and said that when he did get to
bed there were erasers. SCISSORS, 10 pound
cap paper and f2-pound cap paper. paste.
thesis and note paper floating about him
II think that the purchasing agent did
all that he could In ordering supplies"
Mr. comstock wanted IL plainly under
stood that he was not on the executive
until November 10 and than
he said: The purchasing committee did
what any sensible man could do and I
don't think the mill supply company
could be to blame for the goods so
ordered
This paper Is just as good as any. and
the required number ot sheets are here.
so l don't see why the city should not
pay the legal claim OF this company"
HIT AT MR. WATERMAN
He referred In scathing terms to- THE
gentleman, who on a question OF privi-
lege. where he had no privilege made a
statement which he had prepared so IL
could get into the papers. After he has
done all he could. think II Is about time
to pay those people their honest debts,
and am going to vote for It,"
Mr.. Philbrick said: This matter has
assumed just the phase hoped Il would
not do. I would not vote to incorporate
the resolution in the report I'm our ses-
sion. II the other members had Insisted |
on It's being left In I would not have |
signed IL as I did He said he thought |
too much had been paid for drawing |
paper
Mr.. Barney spoke again and then Mr..
Waterman called for a reading or the |
resolution. He said he did not think
4 provided for the credits on bills al
ready paid.
Mr.. Beagan said he thought IL did.
He said this resolution OF his framed
he Issues. those who were satisfied with
The quality OF the paper bought
were To vote for the bill and if not vote
no. He continued at considerable length !
and reported to the eraser question.
Mr. Waterman said II the Rhode Island !
News company furnished erasers not ac- !
,ording 10 contract he thought they would |
be glad TO give credits for the difference. /
He was prepared To present a resolution I
asking Tor II at any rate. he said.
Joseph Gainer said he thought that In |
Justice to Mr.. Pyne the report OF the /
executive committee should be accepted |
IN order To clear him.
NOTION WAS LOST.
Mr. Rarney sald the resolution Of Mr. i