New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-07
NEW INSPECTION RULES.
Secretary Taft Safeguards GoUern-
ment's Interests an Supply Contracts.

washington Oct 6.-As an outcome of the
discovery of the SchuyIkiII Arsenal frauds, Sec
rotary Taft to-day issued q sweeping order OF
great Importance 70 all those interested in fur-
nishing supplies to the War Department, and
possibly 10 all other departments, for 1t is propa-
Die that the principles laid down by Secretary
Taft in this order will be promptly adopted in
the other departments of the government The
purpose is 10 insure that government supplies
shall be kept up to sample; that sub-contracting
shall be discouraged: that irresponsible bidders
shall be excluded from competition and that
honest and competent inspection shall be made
at every stage in the process Of manufacture OF
goods furnished the government
Instructions for the guidance Of officers
charged with the purchase Of supplies are en-
braced within the order, and are issued, re or
der reads, with view to a thorough r-Iforce
I1ent of the laws which require all supplies to be
purchased where the same can be purchased the
cheapest quality and cost Of transportation and
the interests Of the government considered, and
that such contracts will be made with the low
est responsible bidders The Secretary's in
structions provide that advertisements INSTRUCT
non-nanufacturers Of goods 10 state in their
bids the name of the manufacturer who viii sup
ply them unless nlanifestiy impractical bic; that
lack Of commercial standing or inadequate IA
ciIities on the part Of the manufacture shall be
that all bids from contractors who have failed
unjusti6ably to fill former contracts shall be re
jected. They require that abuormaIly low bids
5e strictly scrutinized; that the financial status
Of individual bondsmen he carefully Investigated
10 insure ample security for the fulfilment of the
contracts The instructions also provide that
contracts once executed cannot be modified. but
II it is found that for any reason the stipula-
tons cannot be Tigidly enforced the contract
may be annUled. with the approval Of the Score
LaTy Of War. If for the best interests Of the gov
eminent, and after again inviting competition
award and contract may be entered into.
To sanction variations to relax Crngency,
SAYS the order is likely TO give the contractor
Al advantage unfair TO competitors whose pro-
posals were based upon the expectation of being
neld the strictest observance of published
4uiremenJs. The instructions provide for the
inspection Of material, and direct that all
supplies furnished under contract viii be sub
jected whenever practica bic to the personal in
Spection Of = commissioned officer at time of
delivery otherwise such inspections 10 be
made by civilian inspectors under his personal
supervision. subject test and verifcatiou ut
irregular intervals and at unexpected times by
such officer. Finally, II is enloined on commits
stoned officers charged with such inspections and
supervision Gf civilian inspectors to qualify
themselves by study observation and practice
Tor such supervision as shall effectively protect
the governments interests.