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


committee, we're involved I'm the state
ments made on the floor of the schoo
committee and elsewhere. were as fol
lows:
First That the purchasing agent hs:
purchased school supplies (paper)D In ex'
cess of the needs OF the schools.
Second. That the purchasing agent
has paid excessive prices.
Third That goods were not deliv'
cred when the audit OF the bill was asked
Fourth. That the quality OF goods
furnished was not up to sample or &c
quality asked for.
Firth. That the purchasing agent
purchased goods without authority"
AMOUNT WAS WARRANTED.
In regard to the charges your com
n,ittee finds as follows:
First. Your committee believes that
certain kinds OF paper have been ordered
beyond the needs OF the schools for the
school year OF i903-1so4, They believe
that the amount ordered by the pur-
chasing agent was warranted by the
Representations made 10 him OF the needs
of the schools and his understanding OF
them
Second Your committee find that the
purchasing agent has not Intentionally
paid excessive prices or allowed Excessive
charges against the city. Except where
the prices were specifically given and
accepted he guarded the interest OF the
city by an agreement that the prices
should be the proper market prices for
the goods purchased. He asked for and
received certain credit memoranda and
the vendors have agreed to correct any
other errors which have been or may be
found In accordance with this agree
mont. In the line Of high school sup
piles. particularly I'm chemicals and labo-
ratory apparatus. we believe that the
prices charged were perhaps higher than
the purchasing agent could have pro-
cured the same grade OF goods had he
manufacturers. The price OF paper is
separately considered.
MR.. BARNEY EXcEPTs.
Third. The committee finds there Is
no substantial ground for this charge.
Fourth. We fnd that there Is no COM
plant or ground OF complaint as to quail
ity OF goods furnished.
Mr.. Barney excerpts TO this finding In
the matter of paper. but agrees to It in
all other respects.
Fifth. We find this charge is not sus-
taned.
In regard TO the price OF paper. the
committee was not convinced excessive
prices were paid.
We are OF the opinion that the execu-
tive committee itself Is not without blame
In placing entirely In the hands OF the
purchasing agent, who had not had suffi-
cient experience I'm these matters. the
power TO purchase paper. 1t Is true that
the committee Is divided on their under
standing OF the rejection OF all bids on
paper, but we find that the purchasing
agent should not be condemned for acting
under his Interpretation OF the authority
given To him.
The committe believes that Mr. Pyne
has conducted his office as purchasing
agent honestly and faithfully Respect
fully submitted.
w. #. GLEASON.
RICHARD r. COMSTOCK.
CHARLES III. PHILBRICT<
JOHN y. REAGAN.
except to the above rnding. In the
metters OF quality and price OF paper
WALTER II. BARNEY.
OFFERED RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Waterman moved that the report
he received and IL was so voted.
Mr.. BEACON stated that he had n sub
stitute motion to offer that he thought
would bring the matter at once to dis
cussion. He stated he knew Mr.. Barney
had something to say but thought that
gentleman could present his case very
well The resolution provided that the
September bill of the United State Mil
supply company should be paid when
the credits had been allowed and the sew
eral small matters adjusted satisfactor-
ily
The passage OF the resolution was
moved by Mr.. Beagan and this motion
Mr.. Comstock seconded.
Mr.. Barney took the floor said he
thought II was incumbent upon him tc
explain his standing In the matter OF the
report, for though agreed fully with the
of the committee on the larger
part OF the report. he took exception to
the part about paper a. appeared over
his signature
He reviewed the report IN detail. ex-
planning his views and went over a large
part " the testimony I'm detail. becom-
ng very technical at times
He spoke of the hampering influence
sxerted by the public at the hearing and
ieplored II, stating that IL caused the
committee To assume n judicial relation.
whereas the intention was only TO have
; thorough Investigation.
Because OF the demand OF 30 large q