The Washington times., 1906-11-24

Commissioner MaCfar-
land Says Law of District
CompelS That Course.

Until the present law relative to the
awarding Of District contracts is radi-
caIly changed. the District. Commission
ers win have no power 10 favor local
firms.
This is substantially the position which
the District Commissioners say they are
forced to take because the law gives
them no alternative but to award con-
tracts to the lowest bidders. even though
their synpathies are naturally with local
concerns.
In commenting on the attitude of the
directors Of the Jobbers and Shippers
Association at its meeting last night,
when several suggestions were made
concerning the supposed lack Of inter
est displayed by the Commissioners in
the effort to develop the Capital com
mercially. Commissioner Nacfarland as
sumes thak the position of the Commits
siouers is misunderstood. Both he and
his colleagues have shown evidences OF
q hearty interest IN the boom move
ment. he says, and are at all times
willing to give Il their earnest sup
port.
Certainly District contracts should
he given TO District bidders whenever
that is possible under the law and cir
rumstancesr'' ne declares land certain
~ that is the rule and practice OF the
District government. The legal require
ment binding upon the Commissioners
as upon all concerned, IS that contracts
Drouised by the Commissioners propo-
sails for bids to the lowest reSponslpie
bidder must he given TO the lowest re-
sponsible bidder This is INTENDED 70
give competition in bids and prevent
favoritism If We should disregard the
bids of the lowest responsible DlddeIs'
contractors would not bid.
Forced to Obey the Law.
Referring 10 the statement that the
Thomas Somerville Company might have
| been given preference over the II.
Meuller Manufacturing Company, of
| Decatur. Ill. whose bid on some plumb
ing supplies for the District was only
81 lower than the local firms. Commits
| sioner Biddle says he had no alterna-
! tive bat to follow the legal procedure
Had he done otherwise. he says. his ac-
ton would have been 10 set aside the
I law
/ Secretary Garges says II Is at a serious
1 inconvenience TO the department that
bids are given to out-of-town con-
Germs II often happens. he says, par
ticularly in the case of printing con-
tracts that considerable loss OF time Is
entailed because Of the interchange OF
: correspondence necessary to make the
. bidder acquainted with the requirements
of the District laws governing contracts
Commissioner Macfarland wishes Il
1 also TO be known that the Commission
/ ers never discourage manufacturers
| coming to Washington by sending out
comics of laws which would tend to les
sen their desire TO enter the local field,
as was suggested at last nights meet
( ing.
Jamestown Committee Named.
The District Commissioners have nam
! ed a committee 10 make arrangements
/ for the celebration OF District OF Co
| lunlbia day at the jamestown EXPOSE
ton in June. 1897. The committee win
meet at D. m. next Wednesday at the
New Willard to organize. II consists of
! the president of the Washington Board
| of Trade. the president of the Business
/ Mems Association, the president of the
| Iobbers and shippers Association. the
| editors OF the daily newspapers, and the
! former Commissioners of the District
] OF Columbia.