Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-02-01

vision contrary 70 W.lat @Ou now claim u
means. If, on the other hand, you desire
to enable the purchasing agent of the gov
eminent to purchase the articles at the
world price upon the best terms that can
be obtained, no matter who supplies them
or where they come from, then It seems
to me that this amendment ought to be
adopted to remove whatever of uncer-
taisty or danger there might be from mis-
construction of the provision as it stands.
That is all I care to say about it.
But De Almond is persistent fight
er. SO, though outvoted on the fore
going proposition, he in a few minutes
proposed another amendment to the
same effect and was again outvoted.
Here is his amendment, with the col
loquy:
Mr.. De Armond-Mr. Chairman, I offer
an amendment.
The clerk read as follows:
Amend by inserting new paragraph,
as follows:
.sAll purchases shall. so far as may be
practicable, be made at the lowest prices
and upon the best terms that can be OBJ
tained.',
Mr.. De Armond-Now, Mr.. Chairman, a
single word on the amendment That
amendment / think, is as carefully and
conservatively phrased as any one can
desire who wishes to give those who pur-
chase for the government any option or
any opportunity to buy nowhere except in
the United States at any prices except
those which the trust may fix. 1t pro-
vides that the purchases shall be made
at the lowest price and upon the best
terms obtainable, SO far as may be prac-
ticable leaving out of consideration In
stances of emergency, where it. might be
supposed that purchases ought to be made
at a higher price or on poorer terms.
Mr.. Tawney- What advantage does the
gentleman from Missouri claim would re-
suit from this, or in what respect does
this amendment of his differ from the
practice that has obtained in the matter
of making these purchases since the be-
ginning of this work?
Mr.. De Armond--In answer to that /
will say that I shall be very much sur
prised if it is not contended later on that
this peculiar language is intended to limit
in the United States. wish the govern
ment to have the opportunity to buy
where those who purchase conclude that
they can do best, leaving it, so far as
emergency purchases are concerned, to
the option and Judgment of the purchas-
ing agent. If he thinks it is not prac-
ticable to buy at the lowest price that
can be obtained or upon the best terms.
owing to some exigency or contingency
or from some reason satisfactory to him,
if this amendment be Incorporated there
will be no coercion upon him, but the gem
eral admonition is, BUY where you can
buy best; make the money of the United
States go as far as possible expend as
little as may be necessary to procure
what you must have" That is the object
and purpose of the amendment, and it
seems to me good object and good
purpose, which think may not be accom-
plished by the provisions as they now
stand.
Mr.. Littauer-Mr. Chairman, the def
ciencies carried in this section are to pro-
vide for deficiencies during the months of
April, May and June next. They amount
to s5,000,000 Now, the commission has al
ready expended or has had appropria-
lions to expend 81, 100000. They have fol-
lowed out the course in making their pur-
chases of having full advertisement and
award to the lowest bidder. Why now
make this comment on the procedure as it
has properly proceeded?
Mr.. De Armond-If the gentleman will
permit me TO reply, this is not comment
upon anything that has been done. The
incorporation of this amendment will not
negative, does not criticise, will not inter-
fere with any contract now subsisting OF
any purchases that have heretofore been
made. IL Us an admonition as to the
future, from the time when this 1egisla-
ton shall become operative, as a general
rule; in other words. when it is practical
Bile, to buy for the best price and upon
the best terms. Now. if there be objec-
ton to that, such objection can well be
urged against this amendment. If there
be no objection to that. do not know
what objection can be urged against this
amendment.