Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-26
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1906.
Washington Chat.

That there is a woeful lack of system
and considerable waste of money in
the purchasing of supplies for the var
ious government departments in Wash
ington, is shown by the facts brought
to light in the Investigations of the
committee appointed by the president
to look into such affairs.
For years it has been the custom for
each of the several government bureaus
to fix its own standard of quality in
the different articles used and to make
its own purchase of such articles, en-
tirely independent of all other depart
ments. By this method the govern
ment has been buying % different kinds
OF ink, 279 different kinds of pens, IL
different makes of typewriter ribbons
and 1913 different kinds of pencils. In
some cases one department pays more
than another for one and the same
article. For instance, one bureau pays
$l.7O for dozen quarts of ink while
another pays $500 per dozen quarts
and similar conditions prevail as to
many other articles.
To overcome this evil and to save
Uncle Sam some money, it is now
proposed to appoint general supply
board to be under the control and
supervision of the Secretary of Com
meree and Labor. The head of each
government department is to designate
one expert employee to serve as men,
Der of the board which will prepare a
schedule of the various supplies needed
for all of the bureaus, advertise for
proposals and then make proper award
of contracts. This system would bring
matters down to strictly business
basis and is something that should
have been done long ago. The most
carelessly managed private business
concern would hardly permit such a
wasteful system as that which has so
long prevailed in the big offices of
Uncle Sam.
Not in many day has there been
witnessed in Washington such a pat
riotic spectacle as that which took
place at one of the leading theaters on
Monday night. On that occasion, one
hundred and eighty sailors of the
American navy, dressed in uniform and
from vessels stationed at the Washing
ton Navy Yard, witnessed a perform
ance of a popular play. They were
seated all through the auditorium and
here and there throughout the assem-
blage, sat their superior officers, many
of them accompanied by their wives.
Just as the overture ended there was
a stir in one of the boxes nearest the
stage. 1t was caused by the entrance
of the President of the United States,
the Commander-in-C of the navy.
Every "Jackie" arose from his seat
instantly and his hand went to his
temple. The President smiled and
bowed, the orchestra played the Nation
al air and the notable gathering set
tied itself to enjoy the play.
The invitation to the bluejackets was
extended through the Secretary of the
Navy and in accepting it from the
management of the theater the Secre-
tary characterized the courtesy as "a
practical demonstration of appreciation
of the services rendered to the country
by all persons belonging to the navy,
and recognition of the fact that the
uniform they wear is badge of honor. :"
The converting of Congress never
fails to bring the usual number of
cranks to Washington but this time
they seem to be here in greater num-
bers than ever and the Capitol police
force is having time of it to lay hold
place them out of harms way in the
Government Hospital for the Insane.
One fellow has scheme for bottling
sunshine, another wants Congress to
appropriate million dollars to build a
railroad to the Moon, while soldierly-
looking man asserts that he is the COM
mander of all the armies of the world.
He endeavors to interview Senators to
ask their assistance in securing several
billion dollars to feed, clothe and in
struct his gigantic army.
So far, all the cranks have conferred
their attentions at the Capitol for few
have made their appearance at the
White House, much to the relief of the
alert officers at that place who have
become so expert in spotting these un-
fortunates that they are taken in
charge almost the instant they enter
the gates of the White House grounds
The people all over the country are
evidently awakening to the fact that
the government is paying exhorbitant
sums annually to the railroads for the
hauling of the mails, judging from the
pressure that is being brought to beal
on congress to investigate the cost Of
transportation. Strange to say, con
gress has very little knowledge of how