New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
Increase. Decrease.
Per cent. Percent
No chang
On a Business Basis.

These figures are contained in a report
maze by DR.. o. II. Briggs. superinten-
cent OF supplies. and they focus attention
on an arm OF the government which.
though little heard of. is engaged in the
most important and interesting task Of
placing the purchase of all supplies used
uy the government on business basis
SO that while d considerable saving NAV
he made as regards cost the quality OF the
supplies is not lessened. In fact. in most
cases IL is enhanced
The General Supply Committee ia the
name of this branch of the government
and II had its inception during President
Iaits administration. when Congress.
following recommendations from the
White House, passed an act on June II.
1910. creating il. representive from
each of the ten executive departments
make up this committee, and in the three
years II has been in existence consider.
able saving has been made in the cost of
supplies purchased
The duties Of this committee are 10 pre-
pare and submit TO the Secretary OF the
Treasury for his approval not later than
February l Of each year d schedule Of
Specifications of supplies that in its judg-
ment should be covered by general supply
contracts. This schedule is to include all
supplies Of q kind that are used in COM
mon by two or more Of the executive de-
partments and government establishments
in the city of Washington. In preparing
the schedule the committee carefully con-
siders the needs of the respective depart
ND fah lie 10
vision for such articles as are best suited
10 the requirements OF the service. elmi-
mating all unnecessary articles and all
unnecessary grades and varieties OF arti-
Giles
In addition, the General Supply Com
mitiee also has the following powers,
which in effect make IL the actual pur-
chasing board of the government, for the
Secretary OF the Treasury rarely over
rides any action taken by il:
II shall open and consider all proposals
for furnishing supplies described In the
annual schedules and recommend to the
Secretary OF the Treasury such action as
In its Judgment should be taken.
II shall aid the Secretary OF the Treas
ury in securing the proper fulfilment OF
contracts anu IN lldhl1b duullipAS " NV
schedules
The General Supply Committee is au-
thOrized to call upon experts in the gov
eminent service for advice and assistance
in the preparation Of specifications and in
passing upon proposals and samples sub
mitted with proposals.
Chaos in the Old Days.
When the General Supply Committee
began it's work, three years ago, condi-
ton OF affairs was uncovered which
would have shocked the ordinary ousi-
ness man Each department purchased
its own supplies, with the result that
prices for the same articles varied con-
siderably. even where the one contractor
supplied two or more departments. There
was no uniformity OF prices, and 1t was
found that a contractor would sell an
article TO a department for one price ana
10 another department for a higher price
The varieties Of supplies purchased were
also surprising In the case OF ORDINARY
lead pencils. for instance, 20 d'nereh'
Kinds were used AS a result OF the "orh
Of the committee this number has been
cut down 10 eleven. Pens and envelopes
also were purchased In numerous varieties
and at all conceivable prices out these'
toe. have been standardized.
Nothing shows better the magnitude OF