Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-27
Crane Says New Buildings
Will Be Opened on Time
Regardless of Delay.
WORK ON $1,000 PIECES
AALTS OVER CONTRACT
Massachusetts, Firm Has Award
Which D. c. Says Meets Demands,
but McCarl Opposes.

A dozen new school buildings will
have to cpsa in September without new
furniture Unless the present tangle Of
protests and counter protests over a
furniture contract award which has
drawn an adverse ruling from Con-
troller General McCarl Is straightened
out.
1t was revealed at the Franklin Ad-
mlnistration Building today that work
on $1,000 pieces of furniture, begun
uncer signed contract that now is
challenged, has stopped Unless this
work can be resumed, Jere j. Crane,
school business manager said, delivery
OF the required furniture may be delay
ed beyond the time limit which would
allow Insulation before the equipment
actually is needed. The delay, how
ever, does not threaten the opening Of
the sorely need schools.
May Use Old Equipment.
We'll open the buildings" Mr.. Crane
declared. If We have to equip them
with soap boxes and bridge tables. II
the stuff Is not delivered, though, we
could, at the last minute, haul in a
lot OF discarded old-fashioned furniture
But this course would be bad, because
that type of equipment has to be
screwed down, and the new wood floors
would be permanently marred. The
furniture We are awaiting is of tbs
new type, movable desks and chairs"
The contract muddle, it was ex.
planned, is another controversy aris-
ing from the award of the contract to
any but the lowest bidder On recon-
mendation of the school authorities. and
following their own review of the case.
the commissioners signed a contract
with the Derby Desk Co. Of Gardner.
Mass. While two other concerns en-
tered lower bids on the job, the Derby
Desk Co. it was explained, was the
lowest firm complying with the speci-
fications
Other Bids Lacked Samples.
The two lower bidding firms, Mr..
crane said failed to submit samples
OF their furniture. but gave a promise
that the order they proposed to deliver
10 the District schools would meet the
specifications in every respect. Because.
Crane pointed out, the submission of
samples is definite part of the speci-
ncatlons and has been for years, and
since all previous contracts have been
let on this basis as well as all other
factors. the contract was awarded to
the Derby Desk Co.. which did submit
sample. furiture complying with every
item Of the specifications.
The controller general however
ruled that samples are not necessary
II the flnsl order that is sent to the
District schools Is made up of furniture
complying with the contract specifica.
tons.
Challenges McCarPs Power.
The authority of the controller gen.
eral to check contracts was challenged
today by Mr.. Crane, who cited an ear
Her decision involving a Treasury De-
partment order. He asserted that the
puget act of 1921 states that the con-
troller general shall report to Congress
every contract made by any department
or ESTABLISHMENT in any year in viola
ton of the law"
And that" Mr.. Crane contends. lis
the limit of the authority given Nc
Carl"
Mr.. Crane added that the General
Supply Committee of the Treasury De-
partment, which purchases materials
and supplies for virtually all Federal
agencies, always demands the submits
sion OF sananles and awards its contracts
on that basis.
injunction Possible.
1t was reported at the Office OF the
controller general today that his ruling
on the appeal filed by the Derby Co
was not yet ready. 1t was asserted that
Mr.. McCarl had not promised" it at
any specific time, but when the con-
sequences of serious delay were pointed
out. it was explained that I'VE prob
ably can get that decision out In q
day or two"
If the awaited ruling is adverse to the
Derby Company, which has purchased
the necessary raw materials and actual
ly has begun manufacture of the furni-
ture on the basis of the Commissioners
contract, Mr.. Crane said he anticipated
the filing of an injunction to prevent
the award Of any new contracts. This
procedure. he said, would bring about
serious delays and might yet result in
children using soap boxes for desks.
The schools involved in the tangle are
the Deal Junior High School. the Cor
don Junior High School additions. the
Brown Junior High School, the Powell
Junior High School. the Stuart Junior
High School addition and the Congress
Heights, Young. Anthony Bowen, Crosby
Noyes. Deanwood, Whittier, Lafayette
and Mann elementary Schools.