The Washington herald., 1909-07-24

trict intend 70 give Bernard r. Green,
superintendent OF the Library OF Con-
gress. trouble in connection with his puT-
pose to let a $4,000 electrical contract
without complying with the law requiring
that ali proposals for government con-
tracts be duly advertised. was evidenced
yesterday when John J. Purcell. business
agent OF local No. &c, International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Of
America, filed formal protests with Presi-
dent Taft and Attorney General Wicker
sham
Mr.. Purcell said be was led 70 take this
action after a conference with Mr.. Green,
who had treated the matter as If II was
OF no passing Importance and was out of
the realm Of protesting. Mr.. Green. he
added, had told him the contract would
be let to the lowest bidder Of the four
proposals received for the work. and that
such procedure would be in line with
established custom and precedents.
Il called the attention Of Mr.. Green 10
Section S7O9 OF the United States Revised
Statutes. and pointed out 70 him that that
law specifically provided that all con-
tracts for work In the several government
departments must be advertised" said
Mr.. Purcell He. however, was Of a dif-
ferent opinion. and. showing no disposi-
ton 70 give my protest fled with him the
day before serious consideration, 1
thought it best 70 present the matter to
the President and the Attorney General
Letter 10 President.
Mr.. Purcell, in his letter 20 the Presl-
dent said:
Il wish 10 enter a protest against the
awarding Of the contract for electrical
wiring IN the new book stack room at the
Library OF Congress. Ny reasons for
protesting are that the said contract was
not properly advertised. according 20 law.
Had the contract been advertised in the
public press. I feel sure 81 would have re-
suited In a saving to the United States
government
I have called the attention OF Ber-
nard r. Green, superintendent OF public
/ buildings and grounds. Library Of Con-
/ gress to this matter, but have had little
/ II any satisfaction from him. I there
/ fore earnestly request that you bring
/ this matter to the attention Of the prop
/ ct authorities and compel Mr. Green
TO submit proposals for said work 20 the
/ open market. thus preventing a violation
l of law
The formal protest made 70 Attorney
\ General Wickersham follows:
! 7 wish TO call the attention OF your
! department 20 what I consider a direct
/ violation Of the law by the superintendent
/ Of the Library Of Congress. on May
I Tugg r.a~f14r, ovv~avrfa-fou ~t-o~a r77asTa
FOR new book stack IN the library and
became available July / OF the same year.
/ on July q. 1909, bids were opened IN the
! superintendent Office for the electrical
/ wiring OF the same. -Four firms sub
mitted bids
I have since been informed that no
public notices were published soliciting
/ proposals for said work. I called the at
/ tention OF the superintendent to this mat
/ ter. but was informed by him that he
\ would take no action. and would award
\ the contract to the lowest bidder I
/ therefore request that you call the atten-
/ ton OF Mr. Green 20 section 307 Of the
/ Revised Statutes and compel him TO
submit proposals lawfully under that sec
! tlon"
! The contention made by Mr.. Purcell
/ that Bernard r. Green, IN HIS official ca
pacity as superintendent Of buildings and
/ grounds for the Library Of Congress. has
violated the law by sending out invita-
tons 10 a few TO send In proposals for
\ this $4,000 electrical contract, instead Of
/ advertising for bids, as expressly pro
/ vided for by law. is based on section
I 1907 Of the United States Revised Stat
utes, which reads as follows:
Section of Statute.
IAN purchases and contracts for sup
/ plies or services in any Of the depart
incnts Of the government. except for per-
sonEI services. shall be made by adve--
/ Using q sufficient number of times pre-
vious for proposals respecting the same.
when public exigencies do not require the
immediate delivery Of the articles or per-
/ Torrance Of the service. When immedl-
I ate delivery or performance Is required
\ by the public eXigency the article or
/ service required may be procured by open
/ purchase or contract at the places and in
/ the manner in which such articles are
! usually bought and solds'
! This matter has been brought 20 the
attention Of Senator Wetmore chairman
OF the Senate Committee on the Congress
sional Library; Representative Tawney,
Of the House Appropriation Committee,
end 10 Librarian Putnam. In all prob
ability, the matter viii be brought 10 the
attention Of both Houses OF Congress-.