Masonry Magazine April 1966 Page. 7
vators and electrical work and other designated categories
by the contracting officer when the total estimated cost of the subcontract is 2% or more of the prime contract. Provisions may be made to include a category under 2%.
The fact that masonry, the only non-mechanical work is included, means only that Secretary Udall has mixed some mortar and buttered some blocks in the distant past or that your association "is on the ball."
I talked yesterday with the Counsel of the Department and he indicates that Interior is experiencing nothing but success with the new program. I would suggest if the GSA and Interior methods are working in the field that you certainly let the agencies and my office know about it. Contrator gripes are easy to find satisfaction is tough to elicit.
I want to report that the departmental reports on my pending bill do not look bright. At this stage until we have more experience the administrative route is the best.
As a member of the Armed Services Committee I want now to obtain support of the Secretary of Defense to start a pilot program. I hope to meet with Assistant Secretary Paul Ignatius shortly; Members and counsel of my committee are concerned.
STARK
STRUCTURAL
GLAZED TILE
LOWEST MAINTENANCE
SCRATCH
RESISTANCE FIRE-PROOF SAFETY.
UNEQUALLED DURABILITY
INITIAL
ECONOMY. PERMANENT COLOR
Only Structural Glazed Tile offers all of these performance, esthetic and economical advantages for wall construction.
Only Stark offers Structural Glazed Tile in such a wide variety of types to satisfy requirements of fire safety, sanitation, economy and design versatility.
NEW FEATHEREDGE
COVE BASE...
Eliminates need for recessed floor construction. Stark Featheredge base may be installed after floor construction to accommodate resilient type floor coverings.
STARK
CERAMICS, INC.
CANTON 1, OHIO
An unfavorable report has been filed by the Department of Defense on my bill indicating that though bid shopping is an evil, a listing requirement will merely force the contractor to shop earlier, (2) increase government costs and (2) enmesh the government in subcontract relations and if bid shopping is unethical the problem should be resolved by the construction industry itself.
We have some answers to these questions posed by the DOD-with the assistance of your industry in responding to the success of GSA and Interior we can together answer DOD on a business basis.
With respect to my bill, the Comptroller General, GSA and Interior reports on file are generally favorable.
We have asked contractors and subcontractors from around the country who are interested in this legislation to write Chairman Bob Ashmore and ask for hearings on this legislation.
Nationwide, the response has been to "enact the bill."
Greater Cincinnati Sub-Contractors Association
"The sub-contracting members of this Association extend a deep vote of gratitude for your inaugurating H.R. 489.
"The conditions, which no doubt brought about your promoting H.R. 489, have reached a point where ethical subcontractors who bid by specifications, have in general lost interest in bidding all types of government work at all levels. Awarding of such contracts in many cases has had a "fishy" odor.
"When your bill becomes law, it is believed certain, the ethical subcontractors from every state in the Union will feel an indebtedness.
Society of Painting and Decorating Contractors
of Massachusetts
"On behalf of the members of the Massachusetts Society of Painting and Decorating Contractors, I wish to thank you for introducing H.R. 489. We believe that this is good legislation as it tends to promote fair competition among subcontractors and prevent bid peddling on Public Works."
Painting and Decorating Contractors of California, Inc.
"... You may be assured that you have one hundred percent support from the Painting and Decorating Contractros of California, Inc. and I wish to take this oppor- (Continued on page 29)
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