Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-22
SWIlSDLING OF CITY STOPPED
BY DIRECTOR LOEB; RECORD
SHOWS HOW GRAFT CEASED
Business Methods Replace Favoritism
and Dishonesty in Department of
Supplies-Traps of Contractors
Detected in Dealings
written especially for the Evening Ledger Iedrsr

and agree upon specifications. A dealer,
new to supplying the city, got the con-
tract at 10 cents a gallon, oil that we
had been paying 30 cents for II was re-
ported by a city employe In one Of the
departments that this oil was so inferior
Il could not be used to run the machin-
cry of that department. SO I took il
away and, unknown to this city employe,
poured the same oil into empty barrels
OF the particular contractor had infor-
nation he favored. This employe an
nounced that the new OIL was perfec-
ton. l reported this to the head of his
department, and l understand that he
is no longer in the employ of the city"
Asked to cite instances of a decline in
the prices paid for city supplies, Mr..
Loeb said
I'm 1911, the last year OF the previous
administration, the price paid for ordi-
nary milk was almost ~ cents per quart.
In 1912, under our system of inviting all
OF the milk dealers to participate, the
price was reduced TO 6ia cents per quart.
In 1913. the price was still further re-
duced TO 6lt cents per quart. In 1914,
we got milk at 5l5 cents per quart.
have the testimony of the inmates of
city institutions that, although the price
went down, the standard of milk pur-
chased went up, and one must realize
the thousands of dollars saved annually
NhtH pNNI itEoVVVV QubIlS VI Ulllh are
consumed each year in the municipal in
sttutions.
"In 1912, we bought -four at 81 a bar
rel cheaper than it was purchased dur
ing the last year of the former admin
lstration. Flour was still further reduced
by "a cents per barrel in 1918"
TEAMWORK SAVES.
Teamwork with the heads of various
other city departments is responsible for
savings made in connection with the pur-
chase of many commodities. explained
Mr.. Loeb He cited coal as an instance,
the saving being partly due to the more
eticlent and economical stoking at the
pumping stations, at City Hall and else
where, and partly to the fact that coal
purchased was actually delivered to the
city. Full-weight tons were bought and
delivered for the uses of the municipal
ity.
Not scuttle of city coal has gone for
private consumption in four years time"
said Mr.. Loeb. land had I been allowed
to buy coal to cover a full years con-
sumption instead of from time to time
as the money was appropriated by Coun-
ellis, there would have been still further
city lost $4,000 through the failure of
Councils to appropriate at the beginning
of the year sufficient money to purchase
the entire years supply"
the following letter was received from
coal contractor who was an ardent
supporter of the Organization by Director
Loeb on September II last:
''I wish to take this opportunity to ex-
press my deep appreciation for your cour-
tesy and fair treatment accorded me in
! my dealings with your good ofices.
The records of your office will show
that during your term of office there have
been by far larger number of bidders
than ever before for supplying the city
with coal and other supplies, due to the
fact that we had explicit confidence in
the fact that we knew IL awarded the
business we would all get a square deal"
FUNDS LACKING.
On taking office Mr.. Loeb found the
city completely out of supplies. All his
term he has pleaded in vain with Coun-
ellis to appropriate a lump sum adequate
to cover supplies for whole year. He
has been compelled to readvertise for bids
| In the midst OF the season. Often con-
| tracts advantageous to the city annulled
| themselves automatically by reason of
| there being no funds available. Under the
| the law contracts cannot be made in ex-
cess of the amounts appropriated by
! Councils, neither can the department sup
plement existing contracts when Councils
make additional appropriations. 1t be-
came necessary each time additional ap-
propriations were made to readvertise for
Jus anu ShNci INTO new COnlTdtlS, al
ways to the financial disadvantage of the
| city.
This remedy ls," said Mr.. Loeb. for
| Councils to make adequate appropriations
for all supplies that are actually neces-
stiles, such as COAL -four, forage, etc.
All these arc in the nature of fixed
charges, and the actual amounts required
are easily ascertainable in advance / am
sure that II Councils had appropriated
sufficient funds at the beginning of each
year to cover the budget for a years
supplies that the cash discounts which
are now entirely lost to the city, would
aggregate a large amount"
COUNCILS DEAF.
Both publicly and privately has Mr.
Loeb made this appeal to Councils. His
pleading fell upon deaf ears. The coun-
cimanic majority did not want to have
Mr.. Loeb make a showing above that
which he had already accomplished. The
attitude OF the Councilmen was a part of
the program Of discrediting the Blank
enburg administration in the eyes of the
general public
Leading merchants. without regard to
party, know that under the administra-
tion of Mr.. Loeb in the Department of
Supplies that they can bid upon city
contracts for supplies with a guaranteed
assurance of getting "a square deal"
This restoration OF the confidence of the