The New York herald., 1922-04-17

ing committee was established with pow
ers which have been little used. because
the plan was not suited to the accom-
pIishment of results. Marked improve
ment has been made in the purchasing
methods of two institutional groups-the
insane hospitals and the charitable
group. A central committee now pur-
chases about 2S per cent. OF the require
ments of the former and 20 per cent OF
those of t'ic latter.
aside from that there are as many
purchasing agents as there are institu-
tions and departments. and as many
different varieties of the same comno-
dity are being purchased il there are
that many In the market. The State
is still buying the bulk of it's require
ments at retail in the sense that it does
not take advantage of quantity purcA1as-
ing as it could do with proper stand
ardlzation and consolidation OF pur-
chases. For the most part, It is unable
to take advantage of ordinary trade dis
counts.
"A proper purchasing system involves
Standardization and consolidation Of re-
ouirements, quantity buying as far as
practicable under proper specifications.
adequate inspection and complete stores
control.
Provision has now been made for tho
evolution of such q system by measure
which, I confidently believe. will serve
as a model.
"Tlus the Legislature has laid the
foundation for the application Of sound
methods to the conduct of the public
business.
''For twenty years water power de-
velopment has been talked about without
even the formulation Of constructive
measure. State development has been
advocated for campaign purposes with
out any knowledge of the enormous cost
to the State to acquire the private prop
erty and rights needed for any COM
prehensive plan of development. to say
nothing Of the hundreds of millions re-
quired for actual development and dis
tribution Of power.
Water Power Regulation.
"a comprehensive measure was
enacted last year and improved this
year under which. it is hoped. private
capital may be encouraged to embark in
this undertaking under conditions whicl,
will safeguard the public intcrests and
protect consumers. Companies to whom
franchises have been granted in the past
have been brought under the regulatory
powers of the State.
something under a million horsepower
on the American side of the interna-
tional boundary of the st. Lawrence.
This involves national and international
complications and is aHeoted by the
agitation for the st. Lswrence ship
canal
Power has already been developed
from all the water that can now be
diverted from Niagara Falls under the
treaty-20.000 cubic feeI per second.
Any further development will depend
upon treaty changes permitting greater
diversion except that there are various
plans for the development of power be-
low the falls
There is possibility Of developing
1000. 900 horsepower on interior streams.
provided the maximum development Of
each watershed can be accomplished
This is commercially feasible IL the max
imum use of the power through it's gen.
eral distribution can be secured. There
are no national or international compii-
cations to delay the development Of this
power except possibly as II may be af-
fected by the Federal water power act,
which In terms Ia applicable to all
navigable streams.
my hope is that while we are wait
ing for the removal Of the difficulties
that now delay the development on the
st. Lawrence and tho Niagara we may
stimulate the development Of the In
terror streams A foundation has at
least been laid. and 1t now remains to
be seen whether private capital will en-
ter the field under the conditions im-
posed to protect the public.