Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-23

ket" purchases. which always leave loop
hole for the suggestion of possible collision.
1t Is claimed that purchases, even though
they are not Of the value of $1,000. should
be made only after informal proposals, at
least. have been requested from several
reputable dealers. These proposals may be
requested on little slips prepared and sent
out by the Office desiring the furniture
supplies. This Is the practice followed in
the government DEPARTMENTS. and 1t is con-
sidered good administration. 1t shows that
an effort has been made to secure low
prices. and that all possibility of collision
has been eliminated.
1t is stated that in the government de-
partments. wherever it is necessary to
make an open market purchase. the
requisition requires the approval Of the
cabinet members at the head of the depart
ment. as does also the voucher when the
goods are delivered.
Estimates for Guidance.
Mr.. Rodrick states that it has been his
custom to secure estimates on supplies for
his own guidance in keeping account of the
school appropriation and also for the guild
ance of the District property clerk. who, he
realizes, has not the time to make q per-
sonal investigation as to amounts for which
all small items are to be purchased
1t Is the practice of the property Office to
follow the recommendation, or implied Sug-
geston. as the term may be used of the
school board.
The school board officials say that II this
Is done, it is not any fault of theirs. There
would be no reason. probably. for queS-
tioning an estimate submitted by the board
or education in its requsition. unless some
well grounded suspicion should arise or at
tentiOn be called to an irregularity.
The auditing officials not prejudiced
against the school board in any sense, but
desire to do away with open market pur-
chases in all departments. The repairs to
school furniture were not begun by the
nrm whose estimate furnished the
Commissioners are free to deal with the
matter as they see fit.
Gen. Boynton's Statement.
Gen. Boyntons statement in regard to the
case Is as follows:
LAS matter Of fact action on these
acquisitions was delayed, not because they
were In any particular irregular, but be-
cause the acting auditor held that adver-
tisement for proposals should first be made
This was a matter for the Commissioners
exclusively. and not for the board of edu-
cation.
I'm the first place. the board Of educa-
ton never handles dollar of school money,
and there is no way In which the board can
obtain 1t. 1t makes out no vouchers and
pays no bills 1t makes its acquisitions
upon the Commissioners of the District for
all classes of school supplies and school ex-
penditures. If the Commissioners flt to
honor these acquisitions from school funds
the orders for the purchases or the expen-
dltureS are given by them. The vouchers
are then taken up by the District account
ing officers, and upon the certificate of the
secretary of the board that the supplies In
question have been received or that the
work or service involved has been per-
formed the disbursing officer of the District
government makes payment by checks upon
the treasury of the United States.
The board of education does not adver-
tise for proposals. and has no authority to
do so. This power is exclusively vested in
the Commissioners of the District. When
the requisitiOn of the board includes sup
plies, work, or service of any kind outside
of what is covered by the contracts made
by the Commissioners of the District, the
either in person or by correspondence, suf-
ticient to guide him in making an esi-
;siate of cost of such unusual items.
These are not bids" in the technical
sense of the term, and do not bind either
the Secretary or the Commissioners to
accept either the lowest any of them.
But these bids. they are termed.
We're submitted by the secretary Of the
board of education, both with the first
and the second requistion, and 1t was
suggested to the Secretary at the Dis
trict building that the reduced requisi-
ton of $3.50 should be submitted in order
that repair work might promptly begin.
as that might not necessitate the delay
which advertising would cause. 1t will,
therefore, be seen that every requirement
or custom regulation or law was fully
CoHlpiieu Win III tle oliice VI Tue poalu
of education. The point first made by the
acting auditor was a proper point, and
his second ruling was precautionary and
proper.
There suggestion at the District
building that there anything irregu-
lar in Mr.. Rodrick's papers; the only point
being that before arranging for the work
the Commissioners should advertise it. This
matter solely for their considera ton
and decision.
The publications relating to this matter
have placed the responsibility for what
has been criticised upon Mr.. Rodrck. the
very efficient secretary of the board. In
the regular line of his duties he presented
the acquisitions in question to the preSi-
dent of the board of education for his con-
sideration and action. These acquisitions
l approved, and whatever responsibility at
taches to the matter is mine and not Sec
rotary Rodrick's