The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-07-07
BUY IN STATE
SHOP TOSAvE,
CITY IS TOLD
And Salesman Holds Statute
Club Over Head of Pur-
chasing Agent.
STRESS QUALITY GOODS
Roberts Answers Collins
Charge That Open Market
Prices Are Lower.

06Qry "A. fLOperCS, OCdUS sales
agent, today reiterated his state
ment that Indianapolis taxpayers
are losing money through refusal of
John J. Collins, city purchasing
agent, to observe the legal require
ment, that governmental units must
buy State-made products.
Several days ago Roberts an
nounced that indianapolis and
Evansville are the only muncipali-
ties not cooperating, since Attorney
General Arthur L. Gilliom's ruling
that the law applies to cities as we'll
as counties, townships ano the State.
With Roberts statement came an
nouncement by Lawrence Orr, chief
State accountant, that he had in
Structed all examiners to see that
city purchasing agents and boards
comply with the law which provides
fines of from 500 to $1,000 and
removal from Office.
Answers Brice Plea
Collins declared he had not
bought from the State because he
could buy cheaper in the open mar
ket, citing comparative prices.
Roberts replied that Collins had
compared prices of cheap grade
products with those of high grade
products, thereby unfairly placing
the State in a false light.
collins never has applied at the
State sales department Office for
prices or descriptions of the many
State-made commodities, said Rob-
erts.
The purchasing agents or officials
must, under the law, find out
whether the State makes an article
and if the State does make it, buy
from the State before purchasing
from other manufacturers or agents.
"There is no question but what
State-made products are about one
fourth cheaper than merchandise
made by private capital. This is so
because of the low State labor cost.
Many manufacturers of products
bought by city purchasing agents
generally in the past, now would be
anxious to buy State-made products
for resale.
Manufacturers and jobbers, how
ever, can not take advantage of
these low prices, because the State
has adopted the State use system
and disposes entirely of the State
svoro J,,o+e +o o,Oxyory, ,,yoitc
Tin the comparison of prices
which Collins has made he has
made the error of placing a price
on a cheap grade of material
against that of high grade, State
made product. The State can sup
ply the city with the lower grade
products as easily as any other
manufacturer and at a price far be-
low that of the private firm.
Many Articles Used
'This fact applies to mops,
brooms, kitchen utensils, shoes,
clothing, building materials and
many other articles used in city in
stitutions.
1.-THE State does not dare charge
a higher price than private enter
prises for any commodity, because
the law plainly states that the board
of classifications of industries must
fix prices, (which prices shall not
exceed the market price for such
articles of the same grade"
1--WE are working toward the day
when the contract system of dispos
ing the product of convict labor may
be entirely dispensed with. The
hearty cooperation of all govern
mental units is vital to the realiza-
ton of this hope.
"This is one of the reasons why
organized labor, the manufacturers
association, the State Federation of
Women's Clubs, the United States
Department of Commerce and civic
organizations generally, have en-
dorsed the State-use system.