The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-27
Attorney of P ., Dept Decides in Favor of Herman on
 Money Order Contract
WILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT
 BEARING ON METCALF CASE
Notwithstanding the Fact That Her mans Bid Was $45,ooo Less Than Present Contractors, Metcalf op-
 posed Giving Him Contract.

Washington, June 26.-Assistant Attor- ney General Robb of the postoffice de- partment today submitted to First Assis- tant Postmaster General Wynne decis- ion In the money order contract case which holds that the bid of Paul Her man of New York. who submitted a bid for $45,00O below that of the present con- tractors meets the requirements of the law and that he is therefore entitled to receive the contract
 This is the case which led to the re- cent dismissal of Superintendent Met calf of the money order department The present decision has considerable bear ing on Mir Metcalf's appeal for re-hear- Ing now pending before the President MT. Metcalf opposed acceptance of the Herman bid. Mr. Robb holds that the award of the contract to any other than the lowest bidder in the case would be in contravention of the interests of the gov ernment and against sound public policy.
 He says that the lowes- bidder has fur nished satisfactory evidence of his finan- cial responsibility and of his IT schanich ability and that the contention of the present contractors who have been fight ing Hermans bid. that a bidder must have a plant reasonably fit to fulfill the contract, would result in stihing compe- tition, as no establishment could afford to equip a plant on the mere expectation or securing a contract.
 A committee from the printers union in the government printing office called on First Assistant Postmaster General Wynne today and urged that that office should be given the work. It was found, however, that the printing office not only had not made any bid, but had stated that 1t had no facilities for doing the work, because lithographing on the blanks is required under the specifications. A committee from the typothetae conven- ton at Atlantic City asked to be heard before the award Is made, but did not appear at the department today
 Has Confidence in Payne.
 Washington, June 2e.-"The President has absolute confidence in Postmaster General Payne, and has not thought that he will leave the cabinet" said Senator Hanna today after an extended visit to the White House. He added:
 "The President Is satisfied with the work MT. Payne Is doing and appreciates ms integrity ana eAeeutiYe dDllly. MI Payne has no thought of resignIng, but if he did, his resignation would not be ac- cepted by the President"
 Senator Hanna said it was unfortunate that Mir Payne's health was so poor and that he could not go away to recuperate, because his presence is needed in Wash ington at this time.
 Report on Dedication.
 Washington, June 26-James T. Petty, the auditor of the District of Columbia, today submitted to the commissioners his report on the recent dedication In his of flee by which the district loses about s73,- 900 and for which James M. A. Watson, forgery and embezzement Auditor Petty said that W atson covered up hls defalca- tions in such way that they could not be readily discovered. He indulges in criticism of Commissioners Mcfarland and West, former Commissioner Beach, Chief of Police Sylvester, Clerk Lapham and unnamed treasury officials, holding them in part blamable for the conditions in his office.
 Big Fire In Milwaukee.
 Milwaukee, June 26.-Fire tonight gut ted the building at 313-317 Grand avenue, occupied by Mccarthy. tailor, and the Herman Clothing company. The fire af- forwards extended to the Davidson hotel on Third street and to the Boston store on Grand avenue. The total loss Is about s250,0OO