Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1922-02-14
BROWNSVILLE TEXAS TUESDAY AFTERNOON FEBRUARY A.
Discrimination Against
Brownsville By Makers
of Machinery, is Charge

offered to the city Of Brownsville by
the same firms.
The mayor also announced that a saw
ing of approximately $4,000 on the cost
price Of the equipment purchased has |
been effected TO the city through infor-
nation obtained by Commissioner Jesse
bennett that Woodward Okla. had been
offered equipment similar to that bought
by Brownsville at a price considerably
lower than that made to Brownsville.
Mr.. bennett voted against acceptance of
the bid at the time Of the award. ten
days ago. having favored turbine equip
ment over oil.
J. A. Matthews Of San Antonio, local
representative Of the FairbanksM Morse
company, presented TO the commission
revised offer from the Fairbanks
Morse people, in connection with an eN-
PLANTATION Of why the Woodward offer
was lower than that Of Brownsville. Mr..
Matthews produced letters and kilograms
from his Dallas. Kansas City and Chi
cago offices in connection with tho
" oodward bid, tending 10 show that a
special concession had been made in the
Woodward bid Of ten per cent, being
the amount Of price reduction 10 20
into effect on February Is, and on which
he declared the city of Brownsville
would also have benefited The Dallas
office also authorized an additional dis.
count of five per cent, made 10 Wood
ward for payment on a cash basis, and
now also offered to Brownsville.
The contract was awarded to the
Fairbanks-Morse concern b ythe city on
basis Of S54.30s for two units Of 800
XIV each. or S27.l54 per unit. Mayor
I Cole said that the ten per cent discount
reduced the cost to the city TO S24,439
per unit and the cash discount Of five
\ per cent reduced II further ~ S23.2l7
per unit or a total Of S46.434 for the
/ two units. The company also offers the
\ city credit Of $4,000 for old equip
ment to b taken in part payment, lcav-
Y ing the net cost to the city S33.434. as
/ compared with a net cost Of about SAL
| 900 under the offer under which the
\ contrac. was awarded. saving Of ap-
! proximately $4,000.
Mayor Cole stated that as soon as he
\ learned from Commissioner bennett that
there was considerable difference In
\ the figures offered Woodward and those
altered Brownsville. he deferred sign
ing the contract for the equipment,
pending definite information from
/ Woodward.
" The mayor put 70 a vote Of the COM
\ mission the question Of whether the re-
vised offer Of the Fairbanks Morse con-
cern should be accepted. Commission
ers b. /. Kowalski and John q. Starck
vCred for acceptance. while Commission
| ers Cobolni and bennett voted no. caus-
! ing a tie. The mayor voted with the
\ ayes. resulting in the award 20 the FAIR
\ banks Morse company standing. with the
addition Of the discounts Of ten per
cent and five per cent.
\ Mr.. bennett explained that he voted
against the acceptance IN the belief that
/ the equipment offered by the successful
/ bidders was not adequate 70 the needs
/ Of the city and because, basing his be-
\ lief On personal opinion and information
he had obtained he did not believe the
equipment would afford continuous serv-
ice Mr.. bennett also said that he he-
lievcd sinister interests" were endeav-
oring TO obtain control Of the electric
light plant. but he admitted that he had
no proof 70 support the charge.
Mr.. Cobolni said that since the
award to the Fairbanks-M Morse concern
ten DAYS ago. for which he had voted.
ne had learned that il would be possible
"a repair the present equipment az
cost of about s35OO and 10 make il last
for at least another year. and that for
that reason. and also for the reason that
he did not believe il was fair to permit
one revised bid without permitting all
bidders TO revise their offers, he was
opposed II confirming the award.
A question was raised by City Man
ager George Grupe as to whether or not
the units being purchased would he of
sufficient power in the event of emcr-
gencies such as the starting Of the heavy
water pump in the event Of fire. The
mayor said that Ne could see no reason
for maintaining heavier investment
for an emergency Of only a minute or
two, at least at this time. and declared
that Ne would Ne willing 70 bear the
brunt Of any responsibility arising there
from. He said that his Investigations
indicated that this equipment would
meet the needs Of the city for AZ least
the next two years. at the end OF which
time additional units could be installed
If found necessary.
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