The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-05-16

Failed to Answer.
When this policy was lnaugurated by
the Secretary, over year ago, ne sent
a letter asking Congress II this impartial
| buying In the best market should be con-
tlnued, and in the letter sent TO both
Houses today, Mr.. TAFT reminds the Pres
ident that Congress returned no answer
TO his questions.
Relates to Dredges,
Secretary Tafts letter, in the present
instance. relates chiefly to the purchase
OF TWO sea-Soins suction dredges The
ot ofE!aRd va I'D steel company has put In bid
Simons " Co. OF Renfrew, Scotland, Of
Ter 10 pavide the dredges at n cost Of
s66i,too, delivered a. the Clyde. Adding
TO the latter bid Incidental expenses OF
transportation to Panama, etc. Secretary
TAFT after minute calculations, finds that
the Scotch bid is per cent lower than
the American
Saves Money Abroad.
Secretary Taft states that some pur-
chases have already been made abroad
and at a considerable saving, particu-
larly In cement, large quantities OF which
Will DC required as well as other sup
piles He then briefly reviews the law In
the matter showing that the act of 1916
giving preference TO American producers
and manufacturers In making Govern
ment purchases, applies only to the
United States and not to the Canal strip
LlSS
Therefore" says the Secretary, the
result OF considcratio OF general prin-
ciples OF law and the practice of the Gov
ernment. in the absence or specific drec-
tion 10 the contrary, Is that In the con-
struction of the Panama canal, in tho ca
nal zone on the isthmus, which is outside
the tariff wall surrounding the United
states proper and into which by virtue of
the Hay Varilla treaty with the Republic
OF Panama, material, supplies and ma
chlnery OF oil kinds for the construction
or the canal are TO be introduced free
from tarln or imposts, it Is your duty TO
supplies and machinery at the cheapest
price other conditions with respect to
9uallty, prompt delivery. etc, being equal
This view. 1t seems to me is confirmed NV
the failure OF Congress to direct any defi-
mite course on your part. although tho
natter was brought TO its attention moro
duty In the premises. II Congress took no
1Grther action, was clearly Indicated
Duty Is Plain.
Referring to a resolution introduced by
Secretary saws: e'e
ceptance OF bids for the construction OF
these dredgcs. then IT should be promptly
considered and passed by Congress- III
9IGr9 GnI9rass is no pr9TSpset Of early action by
less ordered by you to tako a different
course, that he accept the bid OF William
Siinohs & Co or Renfrew, Scotland "
Produces the Evidence.
Tho Secretary transmits correspondence
relative p the purchase OF foreign cement
as summarized by Joseph BuctIin Bish
op. secretary of the canal commission
Mr Bishop says. in speaking of tho 20 on
barrels OF cement purchased abroad
The commission would not have been
)ustlhed In paying $I3Go more for AmerI
can cement than for foreign cement mar
ticularly in View of the fact that there
was no doubt as TO the quality OF the for
eign cement being fully equal to Tint Of
fered by the lowest bidder on the Ameri-
can cement"
Senator Dick Protests.
Senator Dick is quoted as protesting
asalnst TINS purchase and saying TO ia
Vor foreign manufacturers with PATRONAGE
at the expense of business that should he
placed with American firms to tho
benefit OF American labor and Industry iS
not in accord with the spirit which it
seems should dominate those In charge of
American Government"