The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-08
REDF|ELD REPORT
FRANK CRITICISM
House District Committee Approves
Findings of New York Member
and Will Present Them.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
COMES IN FOR COMMENT
Suggestions that District Officials
Be Paid Salary Commensurate
with Work.

In a report containing what seems to
be frank and honest criticism delivered
in a spirit OF friendship. the faults of
the present system Of purchase and dis
tribution of supplies for the District of
Columbia are pointed out by a subcom-
mittee OF the House District Committee
headed by Representative Redfield OF
New York. The report was approved by
the full subcommittee yesterday and will
be presented to the House at an early
date.
The conduct OF the business affairs OF
the Board OF Education and the meth
DDS OF advertising for bids and the spe-
ci1cations come in for the severest
criticism. But while criticizing the
methods in vogue. the report points out
that for much of the present condition
Congress alone is responsible. in some
instances by failing to grant oft repeat
ed appeals for necessary assistance, in
others by failing to provide salaries for
District officials in conformity with the
work required. A brief OF the report
follows:
Some of the FindInEs.
That the work under the charge of
the purchasing officer is. where same is
entirely under his control. well done; the
business methods, on the whole. arel
good, the records clear. and the results
satisfactory. Comparison of the cost OF
operating this department with that OF
similar Offices in other cities and with
different government departments shows
favOrably for the District Comparison
made so far as practicable with the
prices at which goods Of like character
are purchased by other cities resulted IA
vorably for the District. This applies
-
annual contracts, which are % per cent
OF the total purchases.
That in making special contracts the
assistants to the Engineer Commissioner
have power to Overrule the purchasing
officer.
That the right to overrule the pur-
chasing officer should be restricted to
the Board OF Commissioners themselves |
end that II should only be exercised by |
formal action on their part.
Concerning Bids.
That when a specification has been |
issued for proposals one or more alterna-
I've bids have been received for articles |
varying more or less from the specIfica- |
ton from one bidder without the knowI- |
edge of the other bidders, and such al |
terHatiye bid has been accepted. thus |
giving a preference to the bidder who is |
shrewd enough to present one or more |
alternatives OF which his competitors |
have no knowledge.
That complaints have been made by |
responsible manufacturing houses in dif-
fcrent parts OF the country concerning
the contracting methods OF the District
in the following respects:
"First-Specihcations have been so
drawn as to exclude all manufacturers
save one Of some stated supply.
''SecOnd-The lowest bids. when sub
mitted by houses OF unquestiOned char
aCter and standing. have been rejected in
favor ot higher bidders on the opinion
of subordinate officer as to the value
OF the goods offered.
Third That alternatives have been
permitted from one bidder unknown to
the others. whereby the former was given
a preference.
That the complaints thus made are
justified by the testimony.
That the standard specifications used
by the District for cotton rubber-lined
hose for the use OF the Fire Department
are so drawn as TO omit all manufacturers
OF fire hose save one Twenty or more
are shut out regardless Of
their character. the excellence Of their
products. or the guarantees they offer.
CrItIcises COmmIssIoner.
THAT the attitude Of the Commissioner
in charge OF the nre department in re-
fusing to receive bids from responsible
OF large experience, after
his attention has been repeatedly called
to the exclusive nature OF the above
specifications. is injurious to the interests
Of the District
That the system Of purchasing and
Inspecting coal is good.
That the care. use. and disposal OF
Did materials Is satisfactory. except the
Did furniture from schools.
That in the purchase and distribu-
ton OF supplies other than coal and
materials. the District suf-
fers for lack OF proper warehouse. At ,
present supplies bought under contract
must be distributed by the contractor
among several hundred points in small
lots; therefore, large concerns outside
Of Washington are prevented from bid
ling under annual District contracts for
supplies because they lack local facili- I
ties for distribution. II warehouse eX-
sted not only would there be larger I
field for competition for District con-
tracts. but goods now necessarily pur-
chased in small lots could be bought {
in quantities at lower prices and dis | &
tributed at need or convenience. Fur
thermore, the District cannot now take
advantage of low market prices because
i has no place in which to store goods
for future use. Thorough inspection is
under existing conditions.
although all is done that seems now
possible.
SagEestS Warehouse.
That in the judgment OF the subcom-