The Park Governments of Chicago 77 



awarded to the bidder who guarantees the greatest number of 

 British Thermal Units for one cent. 



The specifications under which contracts were let by the 

 Lincoln Park Board for the year 1909-10 were superior to those 

 of 1910-11. Under the former, purchases were made on the 

 British Thermal Unit basis, and provision was made to have 

 the coal tested by an engineering firm ; under the latter, pur- 

 chases were not made on the British Thermal Unit basis, nor 

 was provision made for testing. Instead of moving forward, 

 the Lincoln Park Board took a decided step backward. At the 

 time of inquiry, this Board had not yet let contracts for the year 

 1911-12. The specifications analyzed, therefore, were those 

 under which contracts were let for the year ending April 30, 

 1911. 



New contracts are not let by any of the Park Boards promptly 

 upon expiration of the old. Contracts of the South Park and 

 West Park Boards expired June 30, 1911, and new contracts 

 were not let until July 19 and 25, respectively. Contracts of 

 the Lincoln Park Board expired April 30, 1911, and bids for 

 new contracts were not opened until September, 1911. In con- 

 nection with the awarding of contracts for bituminous coal, the 

 Bureau emphasizes the fact that under normal conditions the 

 first of July is the best time to let contracts in order to obtain 

 the benefit of lowest prices. 



DEFECTS IN SPECIFICATIONS 



An analysis of the specifications reveals the following de- 

 fects : 



South Park Commissioners: 



1. Facilities for weighing are not definitely shown. 



2. Storage capacity of bins at delivery stations is not given. 



3. Contractors are not required to furnish bills of lading 

 unless requested. 



4. The penalty imposed for delivery of coal containing an 

 excess of fine coal is not sufficient to cover the difference in the 

 value of the coal. 



