Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1910 [PAGE 260]

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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

[July 21

Only two bids received, although specifications were furnished on request to six or eight other firms. From an examination of the papers mentioned it will be seen that the Pettibone Mfg. Co. of Cincinnati are the lowest bidders for the cadet uniforms, viz: $14.50; while that of Mr. Kaufman is $15.00. In view of the following the board feel that the interests of the military department require that the bid of Mr. Kaufman should be accepted. Inasmuch as Mr. Kaufman has been the uniform contractor for our military department for the past nine years, and has given perfect satisfaction in every way, in quality of material,, fit of garments and delivery within the specified time, gaining for the University the reputation of having the best uniformed corps of cadets among the land grant institutions of this country. This has been the consensus of opinion of the War Department inspectors for years past. On the other hand the Pettibone Company had this contract for 1899-1900 and failed utterly in living up to the terms and specifications of their contract, both as to material and fit of garments. Their conduct at this time was such that for several years ensuing thereafter no attention was paid to their bids. They are known as manufacturers of cheap uniforms, and we do not believe that they can manufacture uniforms of the grade and standard required for the figures bid. In this matter it would be well to say that the junior member of this board has made a careful and exhaustive inquiry as to the cost of manufacturing uniforms of the grade demanded by our specifications. A statement in detail of the cost of material and manufacture amounting to $13.66 is attached hereto. This, however, does not include the cost of transportation, collar clips and the cost of alterations. These items would add at least seventy-five cents to the. cost of each suit, making a total of $14.41. The statement of the cost of manufacture was submitted to the Messrs. Gulick of the Gulick Tailoring Company of Champaign who after carefully going into the subject assert that the figures are altogether too low, and express unhesitatingly their belief that the Pettibone Mfg. Company cannot handle the contract at their figures without loss, unless they lower the grade of material and make-up, and are able to get them accepted. To give more emphasis to our contention we will say that the board is in possession of a letter of the M. C. Lilley & Co., one of the largest and most reliable manufacturers of uniforms in the United States, to the Gulick Tailoring Co., offering to make the University of Illinois uniforms for $14.77 f. o. b. Columbus, net cash. To this amount would have to be added the distributors' commission, the cost of transportation, collar clips, and the cost of alterations, making a total, according to Messrs. Gulicks' estimate, of at least $16.00. Your committee felt that it would be unwise, if not detrimental, to change from a contractor who has given satisfaction for nine years to another who has been tried and found wanting, particularly where the difference is so small, and, after consulting with members of your board, awarded the contract to Mr. Kaufman, who on being advised of the acceptance of his bid completed a contract in accordance with the specifications required by this department (military). Mr. Kaufman also, furnished a satisfactory bond, which with the original contract is now on file- in the office of the secretary of the board. •

S. W. SHATTUOK, E. G. PECHET,

Committee.

P A Y M E N T OF H O S P I T A L F E E S .

The request of Clyde Conley for payment • of hospital and surgical fees, amounting to $31.00 in all, for medical treatment rendered necessary by an accident occurring in the performance of his duties at the