Evening star., 1915-04-07
Uniform Contract Investiga-
ton Reveals a Lack OF
Competition.
ONLY ONE FIRMS BID
Received SINCE 1906
Commissioner Brownlow Opposes
Method and Will Attempt to
Cancel Agreement.

That the investigation being con-
Quoted by direction Of the Commission
ers into the methods Of letting con-
tracts for policemen's uniforms may
result in big saving to members OF
the police department in the purchase
Of uniforms in the future is regarded
as probable.
A shake up in the personnel OF the
department also is regarded as pos
sible development Of the invesdsa-
tion.
The Commissioners have unearthed the
fact that only one firm has been allowed
10 submit bids for uniforms since 1906.
While the inquiry is still in progress ana
the strictest secrecy concerning 1t Is oeins
maintained, it is unofficially learned that
the Commissioners have before them IN
formation to the effect that Washington
policemen have been paying about S2S
for their overcoats. which can be dupli-
Gated in other cities for about $13
The Commissioners did not know that
the uniform contracts were peing
awarded on a on-competftive basis
until after February 26, this year, the
date on which the latest contract was
awarded. The latest contract was
signed by Maj. Sylvester for the po-
lice department and is for year.
Probing the Contracts.
They Immediately decided to look in
TO the matter and to that end appoint
ed an investigating committee consist
ing of Capt. Roger G. Powell. assistant
engineer commissioner; Daniel ]. DON
ovan. deputy auditor. and Roger j.
whiteford. assistant corporation coun-
sell
The committees proceedings have
been conducted behind closed doors.
Its report is now being prepared and
will be transmitted to the Commission
ers Friday.
Both before and since his Induction
the new superintendent of police. has
held numerous conferences with the
District heads concerning the clothing
contract which amounts to about $780,
One Arm. Fechheimer & Son Of Gin
cinnati. Ohio. has had the exclusive mo-
nopoly Of this business since 1905. 1t
lis stated. Other firms have been de-
MED the right to submit bids. 1t Is
charged.
This year, according to authoritative
statements made at the District build
ing. three firms besides the Cincinnati
company asked permission to submit
bids, but received no satisfaction other
than formal acknowledgment Of re-
ceipt Of their communications. The
concerns were the N. Snellenburg Com
many 81 PhiIadelphfa. Jacob Reed Sons
Companv Of PhiIadelphia and Russell
TnJform company of New York.
The practice of the department, 1t is
stated. has been to place the matter
-. cnnsist,ng or the insnectors and
IN - ~ danartmanf ana II has
been on the Recommendation & OF TN .n,s
tracts have been awarded
Practically all the members members OF ns this
,es,irnouv hsfore tbe investisatine
BODY
Reasons for Award.
d, s.,. =, ~.
.'. - a.. ...... :.
s.,,,ns hsst. 80 ~. COW.
s..s =. -
urn each year are unuefs'oou " nave
set up the claim that the prices quoted
by the Cincinnati firm were considered
reasonable and II WAS not believed the
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h',t oors,,Itatio, ~ ~. slnSs 10. VIII
NJ annronriat;ors ara ronda ~ 7,a ?.
tiaa app' ~ ,,iSr nlaue ior ~
annar,rsnt n.a5in me hhuels oi .ne
a.Inleht seanuihS tne expense indi-
n.., ~ IoS' INC a.,oThey OF tne
rs. ~. 81 III op.nlon 10 tne eI-
-. '.a' .ne Som%lssioners % nave NO
-, W ~iu lno uIIiio TN coilt.acts,
~ ."o l,ay De Ihaue ny
H. III 1nu sop.Iin.ehueh' OF po-
49,. ueI .ne oplnioh'
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his - o pu. oonsates
i.s :" Use oil enoies " insure COL