New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-30
FOOD FOR THE INDIANS.

OPENING OF BIDS TO FURNISH PROVISIONS FOR The
INDIAN AGENCIES.
The Purchasing Committee of the Board OF
Indian Commissioners, with Commissioner Smith. were
engaged Yesterday at Leonard-st and West Broadway,
in receiving bids for supplying the Indian reservations
with provisions for the coming year. One hundred and
hftyone bids made amounting TO nearly sSOoo00O
though the goods called for aggregate only sO0OoO0
About 100 persons present most OF whom had come
from Montana New xico, and other Western Terri
tories 10 look after interests In person. The bids
were low compared with those OF last year,
when there were only 90 In number, and less
than one twentieth amount than this year. The bids
are made in writing nclosed in sealed envelope, and
accompanied by securities TO the amount OF per cent
OF the value of the bid for the performance OF the
contract provided the bid Is successful. After the
ward Ia made the contractor gives security III uoup!e
the value Of the contract.
The work of making the awards is very complicated,
and Il will probably be two days before IL Is competed
There is no article In which the Government has been
cheated more than in beef vast numbers OF Texas cattle
having in times past been delivered at the agencies at
prces which would have been exorbtant for the best
animals SO general this few years ago that the
Sioux told the Commissioner that they didn't want
more fresh meat; they preferred SALT He asked why
and was answered that the =" cattle run all 10
horns and are thin that their tails ratified" Mr.
Cree the Secretary OF the Board told reporter that
used TO be no uncommon thing 10 have cattle reach the
reservations 80 exhausted by their journey over the
plains that they could stand up and In that cond
ton they were delivered 800 and 1000 pound cattle
The Government then paid 90 50 per hundred weight
where II now pays only y 20 for good oound cattle
weighing FROM 800 10 $50 pounds eaeh-hose figures
repre- seDting the minimum weight OF animals delivered
nm der the two classes of contracts. There have also
been heavy frauds In -FOUR the Department paying two
years az Sl4 per hundred weight at the point
the Montana Agency-where tproposes 10 pay q S.
No awards having been made at the close OF the
sion OF the Board hast night the Commissioners were
unwilling 20 give the names of the bidders and the
amounts named. Indeed, they said they would be
unable 10 do So II would probably take half day 70
get the papers straight The following Is, however, an
abstract:
ranged from e6 per 100 pounds 70 " 60 delivered az
grades 60 be delivered al the Southern agencies the
price represents the best grades 70 be delivered
al more remote agencies IL Is probable that the bids
which will De accepted will range from ~ 20 y 90
There proposals 10 furnish native American cattle 10
the Montana Agency at y so. ..s
Flour, OF which about 100000 pounds are vantoa,
1 ranges from q Us 70 " SO per 100 pounds Inc nmor
bids for four furnished 1T the Mills. and the hehe
for the same delivered ut the agencies Ihe sAhe 10
true Of most OF the articles named below. - a..
Wheat IL wanted at the eantee Agency, wnefe tney
have a mill This offered at Prices ranging trom
cents 10 a. IS Cofse ranges I'm 20 20 20 cens per
pound sugar from "A 20 ~ centa poacco Hom s 70 %
cents bacon from i0 10 cents: saIeratus from 70
10 csnts; sosp from "a 70 oenss; salt from oentto
centA