Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-10
No. 1868.

we purchased sixty wooden tray wheelbar-
rows at a price of S16o each delivered on
the isthmus; on June 13 last we purchased
200 steel tray wheelbarrows with wooden
legs and handles at S1.74 each delivered on
the iSthmus; on July 10 We purchased
twenty-four tubular all-steel wheelbarrows,
the tray legs and handles all being made
of steel. of considerably larger capacity than
the other wheelbarrows mentioned, rs they
were wanted for n special purpose, at price
of $3.50 each delivered on the isthmuts. Only
twenty-four were purchased instead of sew
eral thousand, as stated by Mr.. Ferguson.
AS to the linseed oil mentioned: We paid
80 cents per gallon for raw and 90 cents per
gallon for boiled lnseed oil on July { last,
these prices covering delivery on the 18th
mus. At the same time the prices quoted in
the Iron Age for delivery at New York were
from 90 to 81 cents for raw and from o. TO
53 cents for boiled linseed oil On the last
order, issued about February l, we paid
4S cents per gallon for raw and - cents
per gallon for boiled linseed oil delivered on
the iSthmus. At the same time the market
price for linseed oil delivered in New York
ran from A to A. cents raw and from -
to As cents per gallon for boiled linseed Oil
Linseed oil fiuctuates in price almost daily
and could be purchased now from y to y
cents per gallon less than when our last
purchase was made.
AS to the engine and valve oil which Mr..
Ferguson states is used at 30 cents per gal
ion: The only purchase of such oil made
since June last was one of 1909 gallons
of valve oil and 10000 gallons of engine
oil purchased August 8, 1905, at price of
IA cents per gallon delivered on the isthmus.
AS 10 the cotton waste mentioned by Mr..
Ferguson: The prices paid since June last
have been from 5A cents per pound for
good grade of colored cotton waste to S
cents per pound for high grade of white
cotton waste, which prices. for the quality
of waste obtained. were entirely reasonable.
A great variety of prices can be obtained
on waste, depending on the qualities and
quantities wanted
The locomotives referred to by Mr. Fer
guson were purchased by the Panama rail-
road, a total of twenty-four having been
ordered in April last of a type selected by
Mr.. J. F. Wallace, who was then chief
engineer of the commission and general
manager of the Panama railroad. The
price paid was s12, $50 EACH delivered on the
isthmus. 1t was obtained after competition
and was a reasonable price as compared
with the prices charged for locomotives of
similar weight in this country.
As to the cheese which Mr.. Ferguson says
price of Al cents per pound was paid. the
cheese being for use in rat traps: No
and none was purchased. A number of rat
traps We're purchased in July last on
requisition from the sanitation department
as one necessary means of suppressing a
threatening outbreak of bubonfc plague.
The Men Mentioned.
AS to the several men Mr.. Ferguson says
Mr.. Tubby, through the recomm endation
of Mr. Wallaces son. brought to the 18TH
mus for his own private use from various
railroad offices and dry goods stores in the
states without civil service examinations.
Mr.. w. G. Tubby was appointed chief OF
the division of material and supplies on
November IA, 1905 and none of the men in
question were recommended to him by Mr.
Wallace or his son; In fact, do not think
Mr.. Tubby is acquainted with Mr.. Wallace
or to AZ
only one of the men named by Mr. Fergu-
son-Mr. Frank +. Wright, who was ap-
pointed as assistant storekeeper at s1,5Oo
per ann,im, having had a number Of years
experience IN the store or supply depart
ment on railroads in this country or the
other men named Mr.. ]. T. Grissom whom
Mr. Ferguson states is receiving $1,000 per
year. was appointed August -, 1905. as an
accountant at 81 800 per year. and our rec
ords show that he is still drawing that
salary.
We have no record of Mr. J. S. McIshley.
whom Mr.. Ferguson says is receiving s., 400
per year, but have record of Mr.. j. S. Nc
llhenny, who was appointed August II,
1908, at salary of 1850 per year
Mr.. Harry Leonard, whom Mr. Ferguson
says was a dry goods clerk, was appointed
October H. 1904, as clerk al $50 per month.
He was appointed chief clerk in the division
Of material and supplies June l, 1905, at
s2,ooo. His salary was increased on Novem-
Der 1. 1865. to 81, 500 and he is now assist
ant chief clerk in the Office of the chief OF
the division of material and supplies All
of the men mentioned, with the exception
of Harry Leonard, who was appointed be-
fore the civil service rules were effective
were appointed without civil service exam
nations, but their appointments were al
lowed and approved by the civil service
commission on account of special qualifica-
tions and no eligibles on the civil service
lists.
Very respectfully,
II. p. SHONTS, Chairman
The Honorable the Secretary of War.
Washington ID c.