68 Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency 



Central purchasing methods also facilitate central and more 

 complete financial control which in itself is a very important 

 factor. 



The South, West and Lincoln Park Boards expend over a 

 million dollars each year for supplies and materials. The Boards 

 of the several small park districts and the special park com- 

 mission of the city government also expend a considerable 

 sum each year. All of the Boards buy practically the same 

 kinds of commodities. Logical and economical organization would 

 therefore provide that all of the buying should be done through 

 one central agency and thus secure the advantages of the com- 

 bined buying power of all of the Boards. The buying for all 

 departments of the city government is done by the city pur- 

 chasing agent. At present each Park Board does its own pur- 

 chasing. Moreover, although the three large Boards have each 

 designated an employe to act as purchasing agent, authority to 

 purchase has neverthless been distributed among several other 

 employees of each board. 



Purchases have often been made by the superintendents 

 of the South and Lincoln Park systems and also by the Secre- 

 tary and President of the West Park system. Likewise master 

 mechanics, general foremen, refectory managers, chauffeurs 

 and other employees have made purchases aggregating large 

 amounts. Owing to such conditions, the buying has been in 

 comparatively small amounts, which fact has operated against 

 the obtaining of lowest prices. A large proportion of the pur- 

 chases have been made from jobbers, retailers and special con- 

 tractors, with the result that middlemen's profits have been paid 

 thereon. 



The South and West Park Boards each have a rule that 

 when an order amounts to $500 or more, public advertisement 

 for proposals shall be made, the general understanding in such 

 cases being that formally written contracts shall be entered 

 into. The Lincoln Park Board has a similar rule but with a 

 minimum limit of $2,500. Although the Park Boards have made 

 many purchases under contracts, an examination of the pur- 

 chases made during a 12 month period shows that a consider- 



