New Britain herald., 1925-05-29
DEFINITE PLANS TOWARD ECONOMY Central Purchasing Agent Is
 One New Method PAY EARLY, GET DISCOUNT
These and Others Are to be Put Into Operation by Coolidge Ad- ministration in Effort to Save Money For Government,

Washington, May 2s. (AP)-- President Coolidge's program of "economy and more economy" is expected by the White. House not only 10 bring about substantial cuts in the ordinary expenses of all gov ernment departments but a reor- ganiZation as well Of the whole sys- tenn of government buying.
 The director of the budget today received MT. CooIidge's approval of plan to put all purchases under the supervision of one central au- thority, with view to standardiza- tion and consequent reduction of the cost of government supplies. Such an official, Mir. Lord said, probably will be named soon.
 Only For One Year
 Although the war department. ostensihly at the direction of the White House, is inquiring what can be done to reduce it's expenditures progressively over period of years. officials of other departments insist ed today that they had received no instructions 10 attempt to carry their figuring beyond the end of the next fiscal year. Budget bureau ofii- cials likewise declared they were not yet ready to undertake computa- tions extending beyond that period.
 2P. c. Cut Club.
 At the January budget meeting Of nciaIs organized a two per cent cut club" designed to clip off one fftieth of the government expenses for next years budget. Since that time the various departments have heen bending their energies toward such reduction. But many officials. notably those held responsible for the national defense, are convinced that to carry the two pt--eent-a- year-idea for year by year would be quite anoth"r question.
 With the regular army already down 10 approximately preWar strength. and with the air service and various other new branches of defense just approaching the period when large increases are favored, army officers generally take the view that continuing cuts soon would lead the military establish , ment into the field of false economy i White House officials themselves ap- pear to be still in some doubt about the question, but they decline to make any statement.
 Saving Shown.
 Director Lord told the president today that the coordination system | or government buying, tried out in | some departments already, would 1 show a hugo saving. An official of ! the budget bureau probably will be designated as coordinator and at the | same time will serve as chairman of the board which will lay down spe- cifcations for supplies.
 During the last year, the govern mcnt outlay for supplies and equip ment totalled $16S,oo000. much of the material needed being purchased 1 CT q piccomeal and retail basis.
 Speeding Payments
 Another feature of the govern mont economy program will be the speeding up Of payment for supplies in order to obtain discopnts. The war department alone has saved $I,- 5Gn.00t by promptly discounting its Lilis.
 AS first step toward complete ly co-ordinated purchasing plan, the budget bureau today ordered con solidation of its purchases of coa and gasoline under one buying agency in each of the principal cen CTS of federal activity. Officials be, licye the arrangement will result 1T a saving of approximately 10 pei cent on these items. To carry ou the plan in its entirety may even tualiy require creation Of new bu reau by congress, but the budget di rector already has secured iron Comptroller General McCarl q fav orable ruling on the legality of { limited consolidation in the fell service and a try-out Of the plan 1T limited way has been made 1T