Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-21
LEUPP DEFENDS HIS PLAN
Says Undue Apprehension Exists Re-
gnrding single Place for Let
ing of Contracts.

WASHINGTON, Dec. sO.-Mr. Leupp,
commissioner Of Indian affairs, thinks that
undue concern is being felt and shown by
different cities wherein are located Indian
warehouses because OF IA, suggestion in his
annual report relative to having but one
place in the central part Of the country for
the opening of bids for Indian supplies.
He has been deluged with communications
from business organizations of these cities.
including quite a number from st. Louis.
In each instance he is asked to select the
city of which his correspondent is resi-
dent. The impression also seems to be held
that his recommendation applied to ware
houses, but 1t did not. Mr.. Loupp desires
to direct attention to the wording of his
report, which II read carefully ought TO
dispel any misapprehension. Under the
heading, Method Of Purchasing Supplies"
Mr. Leupp says:
The present system, with few exceptions,
has served its purpose well. Changes for
the better have been made from time 10
time, however, as special eXigencies have
pointed the way. Until recently. for ex-
ample, subsistence and goods of the first
eight classes for the Pacific coast agencies
and schools were not included in the east
ern lettings. but were bought separately.
Such articles as beef. flour and grain were
allowed to be contracted for by he diff
1erent agencies and schools. while the
fed goods described were bought at spe-
cial letting for the purpose in San. Fran
cisco. In 1903 the beef. -four. etc. for the
rire suosfstsiss; IN srtlcies heret5fore e. boaght
In San Francisco were also included. SO
that bids for all subsistence were opened
at one time and in one place.
1t Is believed that this idea can be carr
ried further with advantage. The ideal
plan would be to have one Iading at one
time and In one place for everything. The
chief difficulty in the way is the need OF
submitting samples, some of which, like
agricultural implements, wagons, stoves.
harness, furniture and other woodenware,
to compel bidders to send them from one
extreme Of the country to another with
their bids. Still, great majority of the
samples are small, and 1t would be com
where. As 1t is now, excluding Washing
ton, bids are opened at four different
places on four different dates. These might
with advantage be reduced to two-one in
the eastern or central part of the coun-
try for most of the articles, and the other
in the extreme west for few classes OF
goods, the samples of which It would be
| impracticable to send far. The method
Of receiving and shipplng goods need not
ceived and shipped from New York, Chi
! cago. St Louis, Omaha, Sioux City. Kan
sas city, st; Paul, San Francisco and Los Los
, points. In many instances they are in
spected and shipped direct from the fac
/ tory
! To have a single letting for the same
articles would save valuable time and avoid
the making OF some contracts. 1t would
| bring all bidders to the same level and
! bring all samples into just comparison. II
| would insure uniformity In the selection OF
goods, and 1t would undoubtedly encour-
age wider competition. Under this plan
OF course, bidders would have the same
privilege of bludng and the same option
/ OF delivery at one or all of these points
| as they have now.