The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-12-02

price obtainable was $455.0e. The
bureau called for bids and secured
identfcally' the same articles for
$295.28. Not only was this saving
of 81 per cent effected but 1t was
found that the Occur d'Alene Hard
ware q Foundry Co. at Wallace, an
Idaho concern, had q large stock of
these supplies and equipment on
hand. @
As q further illustration Of how
the bureau holds the business within
the state. the bureau found that
many institutions had been ordering
supplies direct from H. Channon &
Co. OF Chicago. When the bureau
called for bids 1t not only sent pro-
posals to H. Channon 4 Co. and other
eastern concerns, but to all dealers
In Idaho. There was some doubt as
to where some of the orders for
highly technical instruments should
be placed. The quotations were sent
to the institutions interested, and
they were requested to check In red
ink the items which they desired, but
In each case to sivea Idaho dealers
preferences. Upon t1turn of these
proposals, It was found that they had
gone straight down the line and
checked practically all items fur
nished by H. Channon & Co. of
Chicago, despite the fact that in
many instances Idaho dealers quoted
as low Or lower prices on the identi-
cal goods. There is every indication
that many thousands Of dollars have
been sent to eastern concerns with
out even giving Idaho dealers an op-
portunity to bid.
Groceries, Approximate Saving $007B
1t has been possible for the bureau
to make this saving on account of
the acquisitions Of the var
lous institutions and buying in very
large quantities.
illustrating savings made by pur-
chasing groceries in quantities.
when buying q six months supply Of
coffee amounting to several tons for
various state institutions a price of |
33% cents per pound was paid. One
failed to requisition in |
time for the general order, and to |
haye placed an order for the quantity
needed at this institution alone for
The quality needed at this institution
alone for he same grade, with the
'ame company, would have cost AZ
tents per pound.
Retail profits in food stuffs are
much greater than generally sup
,osed, and when such profits are
lone away with large saving to the
tate is effected. The following is
quoted from report of senatorial
investigating committee under date
# October FL, 1919:
Prices charged by retailers for
oodstuffs frequently are from 200 to
800 per cent in excess of wholesale
'rices."
Dry Goods, Approximate Saving
$13,O5O.OO
This saving was possible on &C.
cunt Of having the keenest competi-
i've prices submitted on dry goods
lsed during six months period.
Also from the fact that the bureau
purchased such a large supply be-
ore the prices had risen to present
evels.
Under the old system of purchas-
ng many of the institutions pur-
base dtheir requirements locally as
leeded. By making all purchases Of
Try goods for all institutions for a
time in the future, it
1as possible to eliminate the retail
RS profit and the dealers entered
pto keen competition for the bust
ess.
When, for instance, one institution
rders $500 yards of muslin and
600 yards of shifting and its order
J placed with the requirements of
he other institutions, merchants
CURE to the lowest point in order
0 secure the business.
Ito be continued)
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