Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-07
To Shut Out Speculative Bids.


Some manufacturers of cloth of which
army uniforms are made protest to the
War Department that the system Of
awarding contracts for clothing and
equipment is defective, and that 1t en-
courages speculative rather than competi-
tive bidding 1t is represented that sew
eral firms have obtained valuable con-
tracts. although they do not possess the
facilities Of production.
The War Department intends shortly
to contract for certain kinds OF material
such as khaki, duck, kersey, serge. f1an-
nels. blankets. drilling and SO on. with
the prospects that more than S1.ooo.oOo
will be represented in the orders given.
The authorities have been impressed with
the complaints which haYe been made. 1t
has been decided to establish such sys-
tenn of competitive bidding as shall con-
fine the contract to manufacturers.
Accordingly, the department has called
upon all bidders to furnish sample or
goods of the sort which the contract
would cover. In that way the speculative
bidder who has no plant will be unable
to obtain the sample and the competition
will be confined to those who possess the
ia ciities of production, and the contracts
will be awarded to the bidder furnishing
the best sample for what is regarded as
the lowest reasonable price.
This action has excited much interest
among firms which expect to present bids
in view of the large appropriations made
at the recent session of Congress for
army clothing and equipment for the next
fiscal year. including the material destined
for issue to the National Guard.
Maneuvers of Naval Militia.
Record target firing for those organiza-
tions Of the naval militia to which the
Navy Department loans vessels for train
ing and practice will be a feature Of the
annual summer maneuvers.
Modern three-inch guns have been
mounted on the L. S. S. Prairie for that
purpose The militia will have an OPP
portunity to shoot real guns and have the
records filed in the Navy Department. as
is done with those kept for the semi
annual practice of the battleshlp fleet 1t
is possible a trophy may De oHered Tor
the best score.
The maneuvers and target practice will
take place in three divisions The naval
militia will join with the new coast de-
tense fleet of auxiliaries under Com
mander G.. C. Marsh. One will include
the naval militia's vessels in New Eng
land, New York and northern New Jersey,
and will be held in Gardeners bay from
July Is to u, and another will include the
vessels loaned to the states OF Maryland
North Carolina, southern New Jersey
Camden division) and District Of Column
bia.
The vessels on the great lakes will unite
as a fleet and participate In drill and prac-
tice :er the week OF August IL to lS, near
Manitou Island.
Board to Reorganize the Militia.
In pursuance Of authority conferred in
the militia bill just approved, Acting Sec
rotary Oliver has appointed a board OF
five officers on the active list OF the Or
ganized militia to secure, as far as prac-
ticable. equitable representation or all
sections of the United States. and which
shall, from time to time, proceed to wash
ington ID. c., for consultation with the
Secretary Of War respecting the condition,
status and needs of the whole BODY OF
the organized militia.
The board is composed as follows: Brig
Gen Nelson II. Henry, adjutant general
Of New York; Brig. Gen. Oran Perry, ad-
jutant general of Indiana: Brig. Gen.
Charles r. Boardman. adjutant general
Of Wisconsin,: Brig. Gen. James A. Dram,
chief of ordnance OF Washington: Brig.
Gen. Bib Graves, adjutant general OF
Alabama.
The board will convene at the War De-
partment June 20.
Octopus to Be Accepted.
The members OF the naval board Of in
| spection and survey who recently con-
Quoted the Trials Ol IiIt HV" SuotuoA INC
boat Octopus in Narragansett bay have
returned to this city and submitted their
report to the Secretary of the Navy They
reported that the boat met all contract
requirements and recommended that she
| be accepted by the government for naval
| nurposes. The Octopus was built by the
| Electric Boat Company, and will be the
| largest boat of it's type in the United
| States Navy.
Practice With Big Guns.
| Gen. Grant, commanding the Depart
ment of the East. has announced the
places and dates for service practice of
| the companies of the Coast Artillery Corps
| in that department. The 18th Company
at Fort Washington, Md, will practice
| with 12-inch guns at Fort Monroe from
September d to October 20; the 44th
| Company at Fort Washington, with 10
inch guns at Fort Monroe, from Septem-
Der to September n: the 10th Company
at Fort Washington. with 3-inch guns at
\ N