The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-27
SAVINGS ARE MADE
IN DISINFECTANTS
Governor Tells of Abolishing Purchas-
ing Agents and of Practises in
Buying Supplies Which He
Sought to Change

-
the duties of the associate inspectors and
of all other persons connected In an Off
cial way with the convict bureau.
The governor In the beginning of his
statement tells of the difficulty which he
had in the selection OF a purchasing agent
and gives number OF rules which he
prepared for adoption by the board of
convict inspectors. The rules set out the
specific duties of various officials of the
department.
In closing his statement the governor
referred to the large amount of money
which the convict department had spent
for disenfectants during the years 1910
and 1911. This condition was remedied
through the assistance OF DR.. William Fl
Oates, according to the governor, the state
prison inspector supplying the convict de-
partment with the formula of the chem
deal materials out of which the olsen
fectants could be made, thereby saving
about so per cent of the original cost of
the disinfectants.
The statement of the governor is as fol-
lows:
Shortly after Mr.. oakleys appoint
sions from various applicants for appoint
ment as purchasing agent of the convict
department. Except In the case of the
office of president of the board there was
"a more vigorous and persistent contest
for appointment to this office than for
any other in the convict department. The
office of purchasing agent had been es-
tablished during the administration OF
Governor Jelks and 1t was assumed that
the position would be continued during
my administration
II had repeated conferences with Mr.
Oakley In reference to the appointment
and he finally advised that the office be
discontinued. He stated that he, with
the aid of the other inspectors, could
make the necessary purchases and save
the state the salary required for the pay
ment of this official | agreed with Mr..
Oakley to discontinue this office, but only
upon the condition that the purchases
would be made In accordance with the
rules adopted by the United States gov
ernment for securing supplies after ad-
vertisement and by sealed bids. contract
being awarded 10 the lowest bidder.
Would Notify Dealers
Mr. Oakley agreed that this plan
would be pursued by the department, but
that instead of advertising for bids he
would request every merchant or dealer
In Alabama who desired to furnish sup
| plies to the convict department to fur
nish him their names to be placed upon
a mailing list. The plan which he and
] agreed should be pursued by the con-
vict department was that when the
monthly acquisitions were made by the
wardens and scrutinized and corrected by
the convict board the list of the required
goods or supplies should be furnished to
all dealers for the special commodities
required with request that sealed bids be
at once furnished the convict department
and that these bids were 10 be opened by
himself in the presence of the board and
the contract awarded to the lowest bid
der, IL the price was just and reasonable.
Sometime in the fall of 1911 / was ad-
yised that Mr.. G. c. Huckahee was maxi
Ing all the purchases for the convict de-
partment Mr.. Huclxabee was making all
the purchases for the convict depart
ment. Mr.. Huckabee had been appointed
as a mine superintendent and his duties
= had been to audit the books of the war
dens and examine the condition OF the
mines as to their safety and to secure
greater economy in production and to re-
duce expenses in maintenance and to gem
orally supervise the mining camps in the
Birmingham district The authority given
Mr.. Huckabee to make purchases was
without my knowledge or consent, and
Immediately when I received the infor-
NATION / called up Mr.. Oakley and asked
an explanation. He stated that Mr.
HuclSabee had only invited bids for cer-
tain classes OF goods required in the
mines: that Mr.. Huclxahee made the
acquisitions, which he could do better
ethan any one else on account of his
Familiarity with the mining business and
that no supplies had been purchased by
MIR Huckabee except upon sealed bids
and the bid awarded to the lowest bid
der
RumOr About Lassiter
Sometime In October. 1911. Il heard a
rumor to the effect that Mr.. w. j. Iassi-
ter, broker ut Birmingham was re-
: ceiving commission from certain whole
sale dealers for securing orders for sup
piles for the convict department. Or
dered Mr. Fl. Y. Brooke to go at once
10 Birmingham and investigate these re-
ports and to examine Mr.. LassIter and
Mr. T. 8. Page the clerk of the convict
department at Birmingham and Mr.. l.,
F. Green. associate convict inspector.
also had personal interviews with Mr.
Wilkerson and some other wholesale
dealers In Birmingham and became con-
WINGED that there was some basis for
these rumors. Mr.. Brooke handed me the
testimony of Mr. Lassiter and Mr.. Page.
which carefully examined, and 7 inn,c-
diately conferred with Mr. Oakley and
told him was informed that Mr.. Las
sitter was receiving a commission from
certain wholesale dealers In Birmingham
to secure contracts with the state and
that could not understand why tnesc
dealers We're paying commission IT tnr
contracts were awarded on scaled bids
70 the lowest bidder
No Connection With Lassiter
mir. Oakley stated that tho convict do.
partmept had no connection with Mr..
LnssiteT and that no dealer could gain
any advantage by securing his services,
because all contracts for goods wers
awarded under sealed bids to tho lowest
bidder. / informed him. however. that
III view Of these r,imofs that he should
withdraw any authority he might have
OF supplies. and 10 mako them through
his department.. or through Mr.. Page, the
oierit, under the system which had In.
ausiratcd. Of awarding contracts only
under Eeuled bids 10 tho lowest Bidder.
Dir, Oakley agreed 10 comply with these
Instructions. aad Mr. Huckchee was
!. shortly afterwards removed from office
= by my nrdcra. nnd his cffico abolished.
had continual intsrVicws with Mr. Oak.
icy In reference Ia tho purchase OF goods,
beenuss WAs convinced tint by Htrictly
carrying out tho system whici, had IN.
RuBufated abuses could be prevented and
&yeat savings sesursd IN the purchase Of
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