OCR Text |
Show 34 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER'OF INDIAN AFFAES. the Auditor for the Interior Department within the sixty days al-lowed by law, while 567 property accounts were examined and prac-tically settled within ninety days after their receipt. UNUSED SERVICEABLE PROPERTY. A circular bearing date November 21, 1995, directed all agents and superintendents to report whether there was any serviceable wearing apparel of various descriptions on hand, which, on account of the sizes being either too large or too small, can not be properly utilized, or any other property, like agricultural implements, tools, subsistence supplies, etc., which tho still in good condition has been on hand for, a number of years, taking up much-needed space, and which might be profitably used if the facts were made known to the Office and an opportunity given to transfer it to some other point. The reports received showed a considerable quantity of serviceable property at some of the agencies and schools that could not be used there, and from time to time various articles have been transferred to other points as the opportunity has presented itself. A number of articles, however, yet remain to be properly disposed of. Moreover, a statutory restriction limits such transfers to articles on hand at the close of the fiscal year 1898. In view of the great economy which could be effected by spending a little money on freight transportation of serviceable supplies instead of a good deal for new goods no better for our purpose, I shall later recommend some legislation removing the date limitation just referred to. Also on November 21, 1905, agents and superintendents were directed to ascertain whether there was any Government property on hand and not accounted for on the property returns, and if so, to take it up at once with an explanation of the facts in the 'case. The reports received show that very little property was found unac-counted for, and in each case a satisfactory explanation was presented. A circular dated June 9, 1906, requested all agents and superin-tendents to prepare a list of any surplus stocks of drugs, chemicals, or other medical supplies on hand, stating the quantity in each instance, whether such articles are still in a saleable condition or have deterio-rated to such a degree as to make them either unsaleable or of no further use for medicinal purposes. The fruits of this inquiry are not yet in a condition to be summarized. DISCONTINUANCE OF TABLES IN ANNUAL REPORTS. For several years the Office has urged that the size and expense of its annual repoi% be lessened by the omission of two tables which covered more than 450 pages. Every report since 1892 has embodied a list of persons employed the service, with their salaries, dates of appointment, etc. The same |