The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-27
WOULD BUY SUPPLIES
IN Open MARKET
Charter Commissioners Favor
Adjustment by City of
Present System.


supplies for the different city depart
ments was denounced by members Of
the charter commission at meeting
held last night. and preliminary steps
were taken with view of abolishing
the so-called graft.
Complaints of the present system Of
purchasing by receiving bids came
from President o. E. Holman, of the
school board, and from Health Com
missioner Ohage, and many of the
charter commissioners agreed with the
views presented by the speakers, who
advocated the purchase Of city sup
plies in the open market.
Corporation Attorney Michael said
the present system was rotten. He
was of the opinion that the city could
do much better If the heads of the diff
ferent departments we're permitted to
go into the open market for their sup
plies.
The statement was made by Health
Commissioner Ohage that the city was
required to pay in many instances rs
per cent more for goods than was
charged individuals. So long as the
merchants knew the goods were for
the city they were inclined to boost
the price.
President Holman, Of the school
board, wanted the charter amended
so as to permit the school board to go
into the open market and purchase its
own supplies; he thought much money
could be saved by such a change.
Would Abolish Present System.
The sentiment among the members
of the commission was in favor Of the
adjustment Of the present system Of
purchasing city supplies, and the mat
ter will be farther considered by the
commission when 1t gets down to the
work of revising the present charter.
The meeting of the commission last
night was called for the purpose of
hearing reports of different commit
tees, but the members were slow in
getting together, and the reports will
be submitted at meeting to be held
next Friday night.
President Holman appeared before
the commission with a number of sug-
gestions for changes desired by the
school board. He wanted the purchase
OF all school supplies left with the
board; permission to change the date
of submitting the annual report from
July l to Aug. 1, and the incorporation
into the charter of the school law Of
1901, allowing 8 mills Of the taxable
property for school purposes. in addf-
ton to the mills already provided by
law.
Mr.. Holman explained to the COM
mission that the school board would
need more money in the near future:
he said the present appropriation was
scarcely sufficient to carry on the work
In the very near future we will need
more new high schools" said President
n II sir l..
at least right away, or, in any event,
an addition to the Central high school.
At the present time our high schools
are overcrowded and classes are being
taught In the cloak rooms Of some Of
the schools
rs there any department Of the
schools where retrenchments can be
made?" inquired a member Of the COM
mission.
Teachers Are Underpaid.
There is not one" said Mr.. Holman.
"Our teachers are underpaid and our
principals are paid less than those Of
any other city in the United States of
the size Of st. Paul. We are now get
ting along with the least money posi-
BILE, and should have considerable
more"
The requests and recommendations
of President Holman were not acted
upon last night, the members of the
commission desiring to hear the report
of special committee named to look
into the needs of the schools
Health Commissioner Ohage stated
to the commission that he was not be-
fore them to ask any additional appro-
priation for his department.; what he
desired most was that the commission
fix the amount for the health depart
ment and then permit him to pay it out
as he thought best. DR.. Ohage did not
want to be handicapped by having to
pay his employees a certain price, some
Of them, he said, were worth more and
some were worth less. He could get
along with the amount allowed his de-
partment, but he wanted to distribute
1t as he deemed best.
He declared that the first assistant
health commissioner, who must be
competent physician, was receiving
only $1,000 per year, and he suggested
that the salary should be increased to
at least $500.
In regard to the collection of gar
bage, DR.. Ohage asked that the usual
sum of $4,000 be set aside for this
work and that it be done by the health
department. The work is now done by
the health department, but the present
charter provides that it shall be done
by the commissioner of public works
and DR.. Ohage wants the work legally
placed under the supervision of the
health department.