New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-27
BENNETT ASKS INQUIRY
Wants Dickinson to Investigate
Paint Purchases at Panama.

Congressman William s. Bennett made public yes
terday a letter to the Secretary of War asking mat
the purchasing department Of the lsthmlan lana
Commission be subjected 10 an investigation. lHo
specific complaint on which he bases ms chafseS
of irregularity was made by paint manufacturing
company which has been twice the lowest bidder on
supplies Of composition paint for water craft nut
did not get either contract. In supplemental
statement Mr.. Bennett explained that this concern
was the Amagamated Paint Company.
Mr. Bennett in his letter first recapitulated the
story of how the Navy Department after conhning
its purchases of composition paint to two concerns
for many years finally called upon to make its
bidding open to all corners and how later the de-
partment decided TO make its own paint This
sprng the letter says, the Isthmian Canal Commits
sion advertised for twenty thousand gallons of SINH
lar paint. be used on the vessels at the isthmus
The lowest bid for the amount was one of Sl5.2oo'
ana the other significant one was of $4,000. The
award by the commission was made 20 the hsher
bidder which was OF the two companies from
which the Navy Department formerly purchased its
whole supply Senator Root inquired as To the rea-
son for the choice and Informed that the higher
priced paint superior In excellence to the other
Mr. Bcnnet's letter continues
The matter was then brought 10 my attention.
ana. YOU recall. took il up with YOU person
directed that new proposals be issued For imme-
date YOU directed that two thousand gallons
he bought. half of which should he purchased from
he highest and lowest bidders, respectively You
also directed that the respective paints he tested
and = report made thereon.
Upon the new bidding the low bidder on the
frankly told that II their paint was satisfactory
they would get the contract Later was ,9doriTu
but that in the mean time the commission was vas
taking up the question whether II should make us
own paint. and until that was determined no more
paint would he ordered
Mr. Bennett here inserts lst ~ the boats and
scows IN the possession ~ the commission. with an
estimate ~ tho meximum amount Of composition
vaiut<which each would require during the year
The he est q 2S15 gallons He goes on.
Though hut 2.315 gallons are required the corn
mission has already purchased this yesr 100 800
SALONS and has adYeI1ised Tor EeooV more, II
Their the specifications direct that the paint ne
shipped To Panama in barrels. Well informed per-
sons teil me Ihls means L1t' ~ tne psnS
would he ordinarily needed It would nave caked
anc would hive To he thrown away. This paint is
not cake
II is reasonable to assume that a purchasing
times much ~ article was necessary, ia
engaged I'm other similar transactions. and possibly
larger In order that persons acquainted with
transactions Of similar character, II there are
such MAY know hst this matte has hef Zen taken
dent knowledge that whatever may develop all par
ties nay look FOR exart justice Al your hands
Congressman Bennett explained unofHcialiy that
the favored bidder which he referred In his let
pany. William McAdoo. who Is vice president OF
this concern said last night concerning the charges:
81 haven't heard a word about IT, don't know
what Mr.. Rennet lie finding fault about. hut 40
know that when the thing IL sIfted you'll find
that everything IS all right There has been moth
ing Irregular or dshonorable about the manage
ment Of the company. II is the American repre-
sentative OF a great English concern. which SUP
plies more paint OF this Sort suppose than any
other company IN the world. I the only member
Of the company. think. who even knows the pub
rc men Of Washington. and have never used any
influence. or even given an Introduction TO any OF
the companys officers. I sure the concern Is
blameless."