Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-03
BIG. STAKE IN FIGHT
Four-MiIIion- Dollar Post Office
Contract involved.
OPPOSE RETURN ENVELOPE
Right of Government to Have Them
Printed Is Denied.
ONE BIDDER, ONE CONTRACT
Ohio Concern the Only One Which
Seeks to Secure Huge Job.
Acts of Congress Cited.
OPPOSE RETURN ENVELOPE
ONE BIDDER, ONE CONTRACT

| Once Department over the award OF a
contract amounting to over four million
dollars for printing return-card stamped
| envelopes and wrappers.
Bids We're called for in August and
September 70 a single bid was opened.
but it is attacked by the allied printing
associations on the ground that the
postal officials have no right or authority
to enter into any further contract for
printing stamped envelopes containing d
return card in one corner.
| For two or three years the manufactur-
ers of envelopes and the printing craft
| have been working hard to prohibit the
sale of the free printed or special-request
style of envelopes, which are on sale at
all of the post offices of the country.
They organized under the title of THE
National Joint Committee" and this cen
trail association is composed of the Print
! ers' League of North America, New
York: the National Editorial Association,
American Envelope Manufacturers. st.
Louis; United Typothetae of America,
National Association of Stationers, New
York: National Paper Association and
the International Association of Photo
Engravers, Washington, D. c.
Secured Action in Congress.
These organizations made united and
persistent effort and bombarded Congress
last winter so strongly that a provision
was inserted in the post office appropria-
tion bill as follows:
Provided. that no part of the appropria-
ton shall be used to print or have
stamped envelope bearing upon it a
printed direction giving the name of any
individual, firm or company, or any num-
ber of any post Office box or drawer, or
80
building to which it will be returned II
uncailed for or undelivered. Provided,
further, that this shall not apply to those
envelopes printed with return card left
blank as to the name. address. box,
drawer, street number or building, and
or city. with the state, district or terri
tory; and provided, further, that this
provision shall in no way interfere with
or prevent the carrying out Of any ex-
listing contract entered into by the gov
ernment relative to the printing and
manufacture of envelopes
Effect Of Touvelle Bill.
In addition the House passed what is
known as the "Touvelle bill,' which pro-
hibits the printing of return card envel-
opes by government contract after July 1,
1911, the expiration of the present four
year contract.
This bill is now pending in the Senate
and it is alleged by those who are pro-
testing against the award of further
four-year contract dating from July l.,
1911, that the Post Office Department is
Overstepping its authority and going
against the will and intent of Congress.
1t is further claimed that the provision
quoted Is an inhibition during the pres
ent fiscal year for the further purchase
by the government of stamped return
card envelopes.
In their protest, which will be brought
before Postmaster General Hitchcock to-
morrow, the national joint committee
sets forth that the Post ONCE Depart
contained in the appropriation bill. and is
furnishing special request envelopes. as
heretofore.
1.-The existing contract. which runs four
years. expires by limitation June 80, 1911.
1t has heretofore been customary for the
department, during the month of Janu-
ary preceding the expiration Of the con-
tract, to advertise for bids to be submit
ted and opened during the month Of
March following, thus allowing three
months for the successful bidder to pre-
pare facilities for manufacturing, etc.
But this year bids were called for in
August, to be opened September 20, and
the four-year period of a total Of about
4, goo. .OOO, 600 printed envelopes.
NO reason Is given why the bidding
should be expedited In this manner, and
there is no hint in the specifications Of
any possible interference by any pending
legislation.
ION It's face, therefore. this action Of
the department is plainly an effort to
forestall and to thwart the contemplated
action Of Congress and to create an i'm
piled vested right in the contractor for
the vast quantity of envelopes men,
toned"
Only One Bid Submitted.
The single bid which was opened
last Thursday was submitted by the
Mercantile Company of Dayton, Ohio.
Of which NJ. c. Taylor is the head.
Three years ago Mr.. Taylor was lowest
bidder, and his friends assert that he
went to great expense in having special
machinery and factory facilities per-
fected in order to print the several
thousand carloads of envelopes which
his contract calls for.
1t is also claimed that the purchasers
OF stamped return card envelopes get
them at a lower price from the gov
ernment that they do from regular
printing establishments. This is de-
nleu Oy TIC dlllcu JolHl COhullttcc
The allies further claim that the gov
ernment actually loses money in the
transaction when the cost OF trans
portation Of the envelopes and the time
taken by a clerical force to keep the
accounts are taken into consideration.
That politics Is involved in the contro-
versy Is made manifest by the fact
that Senator Dick OF Ohio and Repre-
sentative Madden Of Chicago called at
the White House last week and re-
quested President Taft to consider the
case But the President, not being in
formed as to the status Of the matter.
referred them to Postmaster General
Hitchcock. who is to give full hear
ing to both sides.
Many kilograms were also received at
the White House from senators and
representatives whose aid has been in
voked by the allied joint committee.
Representative Serene e. Payne. who
favors the present system Of supplying
printing stamped envelopes. is in
Washington and will confer with the
Postmaster General. He opposed the
Touvelle bill last winter In the House.
First Game in Philadelphia.
CINCINNATI. October s-The nation.