The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1906-02-08

Vision contrary to what you now claim II
means. II. on the other hand, you desire
to enable the purchasing agent OF the gov
ernment TO purchase the articles at the
worlds price upon the best terms that can
be obtained, no matter who supplies them
or where they come from, then 1t seems
to me that this amendment ought to be
adopted to remove whatever OF uncer-
tainty or danger there might be from mis-
construction OF the provision as II stands
That Is all care to say about 1t.
But De Almond Is persistent fight
er. So, though outvoted on the fore
going proposition. he In 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. offer
an amendment
The clerk read as follows:
Amend by inserting a new paragraph,
as follows:
"Ali purchases shall, so far as may be
practicable, be made at the lowest prices
and upon the best terms that can be OBJ
tanned"
Mr.. De Armond-Now. Mr.. Chairman, a
single word on the amendment. That
amendment, 1 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-
vldes 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 ii might be
baf no tuht IN ha mn ads.
at q higher price or on poorer termsn
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-1n answer to that ]
will say that I shall be very much sur
prised II 1t Is not contended later on that
this peculiar language IL intended to limit
the purchasing agent to articles produced
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 1t. SO far as
emergency purchases are concerned, to
the option and judgment of the purchas-
Ing agent. II he thinks it is not psac-
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
II this amendment be Incorporated there
will be no coercion upon him. but the gen,
eral admonition Is. BUY where you car
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 10 the object
and purpose Of the amendment, and II
seems to me a good object and good
purpose, which think may not be accom-
plished by the provisions as they now
stand.
| Mr.. Littauer-Mr Chairman. the den
ciencies carried in this section are to pro
| vide for deficiencies during the months oi
| April. May and June next. They amoun
to $o.000.o00. Now. the commission has al
| ready expended or has had appropria
tons to expend $9l.OO00O0. They have fol
| lowed out the course In making their pur
ohases of having full advertisement ant
award to the lowest bidder, Why nov
| make this comment on the procedure as |
has properly proceeded9
| Mr.. De Armond--If the gentleman vii
permit me to reply. this Ia not commen
upon anything that has been done. Th,
| incorporation OF this amendment will no
negative. does not criticise, will not inter
fere with any contract now subsisting o
any purchases that have heretofore beel
made. 1t is an admonition as to tn
| future from the time when this legisia
tion shall become operative, as a genera
| rule; In other words, when It is practica
BILE, to buy for the best price and upoi
the best terms. Now. IL there be objec
tion to that, such objection can well b
urged against this amendment. II ther
be no objection to that, I do not knoy
what objection can be urged against thi
| amendment