Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-30
THE DISTRICTS COAL
HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITS
sIoNERs THIS AFTERNOON.
Figures Higher Than Those Paid by
Treasury Department for Same
Article Explained.

When the Commissioners opened the coal
bids several days ago it was discovered that
the price. in the aggregate. was $4,000 more
than last year for the same amount of fuel.
Accordingly all bids were rejected and the
contract readvertised. Only two of the
original bidders cared to compete the Sec
ond time. stating they had given their low
est possible figures the first time. These
two were Mr.. v. Baldwin Johnson and Mr..
VIM. ]. Zeh Mr.. Zeh failed to name the
collieries from which he intended getting
his coal, and his bid, therefore, was thrown
out 1t was about 5000 lower than Mr.. John
sons in a contract worth 100000.
The Commissioners thought they were be-
ing held up, and 1t was proposed to reject
Mr.. Johnson's second bid. He protested.
and the hearing today to determine
whether the increase of $4,000 was justified
by the conditions.
Mr.. ]. j. Darlington represented Mr..
Johnson and argued that the present bid
was reasonable and allowed only a fair
margin of profit to the contractor.
Mr.. Johnson declared that the good grade
of anthracite coal is controlled by the Phil
adelphia and Reading and the Susquehanna
Coal companies that these companies de-
livered at least three-fourths of the an
thracite that would pass the inspection of
the District government, and that all local
dealers had to meet the prices quoted by
these companies.
What the Treasury Says.
Mr.. West called attention to the fact that
the same quality coal is furnished the
Treasury Department at much lower
rate, and asked Mr. Johnson to explain.
The reply was that the treasury was a
short haul. and large quantities could be
delivered at time. while with the District
contract, deliveries have to be made to all
portions of the county. wherever there may
happen to be a school house or fire en-
CINE house. This fact accounted for the
difference In price. Mr.. Johnson also said
that he lost considerable money last year.
and he did not believe the District Commits
sioners wanted their contractors to lose
money. MIR. West agreed that this was the
case, but that the Commissioners wanted
to limit contractors profits to reasonable
amount.
When asked If he would bid on two sep
arate contracts, one for the city and
for the county, Mr.. Johnson said he would
not compete for the county business. as he
did not believe it could be made to pay at
les than s15 per ton. Major r. d. Simms,
the property clerk. was present. and par
ticipated in the cross-exa mination of Mr..
Johnson. Mr.. Johnson laid great stress
upon the fact that the District must deal
with responsible contractor; one that
could deliver any amount of approved coal
In case of an emergency. He said that
dealers who get their supply from individual
shippers run great risk of not being able to
get a sufficient supply at a given time.
whereas he always kept a surplus of 1000
tons on hand for the use of the District.
At the conclusion of the hearing the Com
missoners said they would further consider
the matter. and Mr.. West stated he would
have another talk with Mr.. Johnson before
final action is taken. He, with the other
Commissioners, believes that the District
should get all its commodities at the lowest
possible figure. and this is all that has actu-
ated them in declining to accept Mr.. John
sons bid. They agreed that If it was effec- .
lively demonstrated that the coal could not
be purchased at lower figure they would
have to pay the price demanded, trust or no
trust. as it would be impracticable for them
to follow the example of the federal gov
eminent in the matter of supplies for the
Panama canal and resort to foreign mar
kets.