Miller v. State

Light bulbs are no trifling matter to the state of Washington. The state buys nearly $300,000 worth each biennium — and the amount will increase steadily in the future. A brace of taxpayers now claim that the state must procure its light bulbs through competitive bid instead of negotiated contracts, the means currently employed.

In 1957, through its Department of General Administration, the state called for competitive bids to supply it with all of the light bulbs required during a 12-month period. About 12 firms put in bids. Platt Electric Supply, Inc., in Seattle, with main offices in…