The San Francisco call., 1906-11-27
Are IN Big Printing Scandal
Cofey Must Explain
Why Certain Firm
Was Favored

called for by the Board of Supervisors.
in nine cases out Of ten the contract
was awarded to Phillips & Van Orden.
More amazing still is the declaration
of local printers that it mattered not
whether Phillips & Van Orden We're
the lowest or the highest bidders in
the end they got the work. BY de-
grees the outside printers, suspectng
that something was wrong, ceased to
bid.
Supervisor Cofey, as chairman of the
printing committee Of the board, was
empowered TO arrange for all the city
printing When any department OF the
city government needed stationery or
Iedgers. journals or other books q
requisition was sent to the Board of
Supervisors. which in turn referred tbs
matter to the printing committee. As
the head OF this committee Supervisor
COfev would advertise for bids ana
make the purchase. The bill from the
printing shop would be sent TO the de-
partment concerned and affldavit made
that the goods had been received. The
various departments had nothing to
say as to price or the firm which should
supply the goods.
COFFEY PASSED THE BILLS
When proper certihcation had been
made that the goods had been received
the bin would go back to the printing
committee and receive the Endorsement
Of Supervisor Coffey. Then 1t would
pass TO the finance committee. The
finance committee is supposed to act
as a check to any scheme to use the
scoop in the city treasury, but Acting
Mayor Gallagher, who presides over
the finance committee closed one eye
and put his signature to the printing
bills
Just why Supervisor Coffey should
exhibit such a decided disposition to
favor the firm of Phillips & Van Orden
is a matter which he may be called
upon 10 explain to judge and jury
Coney, according to his friends. has
been a good fellow" He has been
generous with his money, Of which he
seems TO have a plentiful supply. He
has improved his manner Of dress since
taking his place on the Board Of Super
Visors and in several other ways has
given evidence Of a new found pros
nerity Tt is stated that the improve
ment in Cofeys financial status at
tracted- the attention of his friends. It
was whispered that Coffey had dropped
onto a good thing To his general
run Of friends Coffey confded nothing,
but 70 some Of his more intimate asso-
ciates il is related that he tipped off
his hand.
MAKES CHANGE OF FRONT
When it was publicly announced that
Special Agent Burns had begun the
collection Of evidence against the city
ofdciaIs Coffey- made a rapid about
face in his manner Of doing business
on the printing committee. The bids
were canvassed more carefully and
lower prices prevailed.
How far Coffey favored the Phillips
& Van Orden Company viii never be
known. Before the fire the favored
concern sold large quantities of sup
plies to the city, but all records bear
ing on these transactions were de-
strOyed during the disaster.
Immediately after the fire Coffey re-
newed his dealings with Phillips &
Van Orden and fairly showered them
with orders. Although the firm had
not had time to re-establish the city's
business was hurled at it and there is
no evidence to show that it lodged.
Every department required supplies.
and required them in hurry. No
attention was paid to details. Phil
lips & Van Orden had the goods
rushed out TO San Francisco from Den
yer and the city paid the bills. If
the prices We're unprecedented the ex-
planation was offered that the goods
were needed at once and price was
no object"
AS a sample Of the bills presented
for supplies bought soon after the fire
the following, under date Of June 80,
was encountered yesterday: