The Washington herald., 1908-05-17
DEFICIENCY BILL IN
Items of Interest to District
in the Measure.
NAVY YARD MEN PROTECTED
Commissioners Authorized to Rent
Wharf for Construction Materials
for Sewer WOFk-AIethOd of Award
ing Contracts for Department Sup
plies Has Been Changed.

Under the provisions Of the general de-
ficiency appropriation bill. reported to the
House yesterday, several changes in ex-
lsting laws affecting the District are TO be
found
The Commissioners, under one new pro-
vision Of the bill. were authorized 10 rent
wharf property for storage Of construe-
tion materials. at a rate not TO exceed
5000 per annum. This provision is for
sewer work
The Commissioners are also authorized
TO pay ali costs and expenses for con
demnation proceedings for opening. alleys
and minor streets, in cases in which the
court shall not hold other parties respon-
sible.
One provision efTectually does away
with the fear that men at the local navy
yard or at any ether of the big yards
which were threatened with dismissal
some months ago, may be so treated.
Another paragraph says that all gov
ernment employees who are paid by the
month shall be given such compensation
in twelve instaliments.
Mast Advertise for Bids.
Under another provision. the Secretary
OF Commerce and Labor shall in the
future advertise and contract for all sup
plies. fuel ice. stationery and other mis-
cellsneous supplies for the government
departments, unless some exigency which
demands immediate relief shall exist. IN
part, this provision reads as follows:
There shall be a general supply com
mittee in lieu OF the board provided fer
in section 370e of the Revised Statutes
as amended. composed Of officers. one
from each department and other govern
ment establishments IN Washington, des-
ignated by the head thereof, the duties
OF which committee shall De 70 make,
under the direction of the said Secretary,
an annual schedule Of required niscel-
Aneous supplies, TO standsrdize sish
| supplies, eliminating all unnecessary
grades and varieties. and 10 aid said Sec
retary in soliciting bids based upon
formulas and specifications drawn up
/ by such experts in the service OF the
government as the committee may see nj
to call upon. who shall render whatever
assistance they may require.
To Make Strict Rules.
The committee shall aid said secre-
tsry in securing the proper fulillment
OF the contracts for such supplies. for
which purpose the said secretary shall
prescribe, and all the departments COM
ply with. rules providing for such ex-
animation and tests OF the articles re-
ceived as may be necessary for such
purpose. in making additions to the said
schedules, in opening and considering bids
and shall perform such other similar
duties as he may assign TO them: Pro-
vided that the articles intended to be pur-
chased in this manner are those in COM
mon use by or suitable 10 the ordinary
needs Of one or more such departments
or establishments but the said secretary
shall have discretion to amend the an
nual common supply schedule from time
TO time as to any articles that. in his
judgment, can as well be thus purchased
In all cases only one bond for the
proper performance Of each contract shall
be required, Notwithstanding that sup
plies for more than one department or
government establishment are included in
such contract. Every purchase or draw
HiB OF suCH supplles IFoH the contractor
shall be Immediately reported to said
committee.
Disbursing Officers barred,
NO disbursing officer shall be a mem
Der Of such committee. Ne department or
establishment shall purchase or draw sup
plies from the common schedule through
more than one Office or bureau, except
in case Of detached bureaus OF of1ces
having field or outlying service. which
may purchase directly from the con-
tractor, with the permission of the head
of their department or establishment: and
provided, further, that telephone service,
electric light, and power service pur-
chased or contracted for from companies
or individuals shall be so obtained by
him"