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Show I X X X ~ ~ FIFTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF anbmit to bidders a standard sample of each article instead of having submitted to it a large 'variety of samples of each article the qnestioo of price would alone have to be considered in awarding contracts, and nothing more would be required of the Commissioner than the making of the award to the lowest bidder. This would do away with com-plaints concerning awards apd would remove opporcuuity for contract-ors to accuse the Bureau of favoritism or of prejudice. Upon the deliv-ery of goods the inspector could readily decide whether they were up to the standard and in accordance with the specifications. Under such a system there would be uniformity in the quality and value of articles purchased for Indians, and they would not vary from year to year as is now the case when the article selected is to be the standard forone year only, qnd the fixing of that standard must depend upon the judgment of the officials acting at the time and the assortment of samples furnished by bidders, to say nothing of the temptation which exists to take the cheapest article oEered instead of the one that is best suited to the needs of the aervice. Moreover, under the present system when acontractor fails to deliver goods up to the sample submitted by him upon which contract was awarded, and it becomes necessary to supply the deficiency by pnr-chasing goods at his expcuse in open market, it is often ditbicult to obtain in open market just such goods as those contracted for, or even their fair equivalent, because the goods contraoted for were the peculiar manufacture of the contractor who offered them. Under the proposed system it is belicved that in such cases goods of the sta,ndard quality desired could more readily be obtained. To make the inspection of such goods as blankets, cloths, clothing, etc., infallible, accurately-adjusted machinery and other appliances for testing the strength of fabrics could and should be supplied. This is the method of purchase and inspection of goods in t,he ruili-tary and naval services, and that this office may be enabled also to adopt this system I recommend that an appropriation of $1,500 be made, this sum to be used in the purchase of standard samples of articles re-quired, and of testing machinery, etc. AGENCY AND SCHOOL EMPLOYAS. The total number of a.gency and school positions filled by regular employ6s during the past fiscal year was as follows: TABLE 17-Showing total number of ponitione filled by agenoy and achool mplogks during the Bcal year ended June 30, 188tl. |