Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-07-31
BIDS
FOR ALMSHOUSE
UPSET CRITICS
Figures for Furnishing Superin-
tendent's Home and Other
Buildings Are Low.

Bids for the furnishings for the
seven buildings composing the new
city almshouse plant were opened at
a meeting of the poor and aims COM
fnittee of the Common Council yes
terday afternoon. The result was ap-
parently surprise to those persons
who had criticised the specifications
for the furnishings. The critics had
intimated that the furnishings would
be very costly and in the nature of
an extravaganza. The bids proved
that the opposite was the case.
1t was quickly made manifest that
the critics had used trade terms for
the purpose Of insinuating there
would be an extravagant outlay.
Much attention was given to- the
proposals for the equipment for the
room of Patrick White. superintend-
emit at the almshouse. The bids
showed that the room could be fur
nished for as low as 1902. The critics
had estimated 1t at about 5000.
In every case 1t was shown that
where the critics had set figures
there was an astonishing disparity
ana always OH IUt lpWtI 6lut'
Only two firms submitted general
bids for the entire furnishings. They
were William H. Jamouneau Com
pany, of $50 Broad street. s41,999, and
NJ. j. O'Connor, of the firm of M. j.
O'Connor Sons, of 1872 Mulberry street,
SAG, 544.64 The critics had put their
estimates as high as 100000.
Bids also were received from other
firms. These bids were based on
supplying part Of the general equip
ment. The aldermanic committee re-
serves the right to either accept or
reject any of the general bids, or any
of the other smaller bids.
The bidding was based on specifica-
tions written and set forth month
ago by the architects
Samples or the various articles to
be used by the departments OF the
were purchased in New
ark at the time. The bids must fol-
low the standard shown by the SAM
pie goods.
From the low bids offered II was
obvious that local furniture dealers
were not impressed with such trade
terms as Louis XVI and Louis
Seize"
princess Dresser" $3.50.
If the name implies anything a
Princes" dresser for one of the
bedrooms would be exceedingly ex-
travagant, but when one bidder said
he would furnish it for $3.50 1t put
an entirely different aspect on the
case.
"Hemstitched linen" towels will be
furnished for $6.40 a dozen. Other
linen towels will be supplied at a
cost of s3.46 a dozen. Linen napkins
cost $4.74 a dozen and a satin COM
forter for one of the beds will cost
only s4,27 A "Marseilles" bed spread
is worth only s3.12 according to one
of the bidders and wooden blankets
may be had for $1.62 cents pair.
One bidder will furnish the super
dining room furniture for
s276.60. This includes solid" mahog-
any furniture, which is solid only as
far as veneer can make 1t.
Bedroom No. will be furnished for
$44 55; bedroom No. 3 for s5S.01, and
bedrooms Nos. 4 and 3 together, can
be furnished for $3.50, if the bid OF
one of the firms is accepted.
All the silverware for the dining
room will cost $65.S2. In the dining
room silver is included an asparagus
server, which may be had for $3.50;
a steak set for $40: salad forks at
$4.06 dozen; oyster forks at $40 "a
dozen and, butter spreads for $3.40.
All the so-called "Cluney" lace bed
sets. dressing scarfs, table doilies and
buffet covers will cost the amazing
sum of s39.3S. This includes blue
and white scalloped edged linen table
cover, which will be furnished for
81 o.: a dozen blue and white seal
Hoped edge plate doilies, at $226 q
dozen, and linen napkins at ninety
nine cents a dozen.
All the fine china in the "terrapin"
dinner set that superintendent White
was supposed to get for his cottage
will cost the city only $7456. A con-
siderable portion of that price will
engraving" of the dishes and
glassware. The engraving will con-
sist of the initials of the Newark