Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-29
BY WILL p. KENNEDY,

IN the economy-efficlency
} reimbursement and reorgani-
cation program which lead
ers in Congress are going to hew to
shape during the coming session is
the establishment of a central pur-
chasing bureau to buy and distribute
all the supplies required in the fed
eral service. To make this effective,
big warehouses with government
owned wharves, railroad trestles and
spurs or sidings must be provided. so
that it is contemplated that Uncle
Sam, who now conducts the biggest
here in Washington, will have also
the largest general store in the world
to meet all his needs.
Representative William r. Wood of
Indiana, one Of the most active men,
bers of the House appropriations
committee, who is chairman of the
subcommittee which handles the leg
islative, executive and judicial appro-
priation bill. which is the big supply
measure for most of the government
establishments. will father this legis-
lation. In fact, he has a bill already
drafted, on which he proposes to have
hearings held as soon as possible
after the reassembly Of Congress. and
which has BEEN promised the strong
support Of republican and democratic
leaders alike.
Recommended BY MeAdoo.
Legislation along this line was rec
commended by William G. McAdoo
while Secretary of the Treasury. on
the advice of the general supply COM
mittee, which is composed of rep
resentatives from the principal gov
eminent departments. including the
Navy, State, Treasury, War. Justice.
Post Office, Interior. Agriculture and
Commerce and Labor.
The magnitude of the proposed gov
eminent general store can be guessed
at from the fact that the Secretary
of the Treasury negotiated contracts
last year through the present general
supply committee for a total OF more
than $15,o00,000. This committee car
ries approximately $4,000 samples of
articles, ranging from desks. station
cry and the usual office supplies. to
special cleansing material for the
white marble in government struc-
lures and special kinds of lubrlcatlng
oil. More than 1000 different items are
now kept in stock by Elliott Woods
sunerintendent of the Capitol build
ing and grounds
There are now more than sixty dit
ferent agencies of the government in
various departments. bureaus, boards,
commissions and Offices that are pur-
chasing supplies, often in very small
quantities and in the open market. The
general supply committee gets con-
tract bids for all items that may be
needed, but has no way of telling how
many of each item may be ordered
during the year, the contractor cannot
foresee what advance there may be In
cost of material or labor before time
of delivery and he may be obliged to
omen sixty to seventy separate ac-
counts covering his government busl-
ness.
Advantages to Be Gained.
Representative Woods and those
supporting him in this legislation see,
therefore, the following advantages
to be gained from a central purchas-
ing bureau, which will buy at one
time all the goods that may be need
ed for all the government workshops
during the year:
"a The consolidation of all pur-I
chases, so that the government would
be able to buy, through its central
agency. at minimum
prices, and at the most opportune
time the gross quantity of supplies re-
quired for all branches of the service
instead of purchasing, as it does now.
departmental purchasing
agents. in widely varying quantities.
(2) The securing of bids direct from
thus saving to the
the intermediate profits