1670 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
For the Smithsonian Institution, for printing labels and blanks and 
for the ‘‘ Bulletins” and annual volumes of the ‘‘ Proceedings” of the 
National Museum, and binding scientific books and pamphlets, pre- 
sented to and acquired by the National Museum library, $12,000. 
(Stat., XX VIII, 960.) ; 
DOCUMENTS FOR THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
October 19, 1893-House. 
A bill (H. 2650) providing for public printing, and the distribution 
of public documents being under consideration, the clerk read: 
To the library of each of the eight Executive Departments, and to the Naval Observ- 
atory, one bound copy. 
Mr. James D. Ricuarpson. I offer the amendment which I send: 
to the desk. 
Amend line 321, after the word ‘‘ Observatory,’’ by inserting ‘‘ Smithsonian Insti- 
tution and the United States National Museum.”’ 
Agreed to. 
CONTRACTS FOR SUPPLIES. 
October 25, 1893-House. 
Mr. ALExANDER M. Dockery introduced bill (H. 4248): 
That section 3709 of the Revised Statutes is amended by adding thereto the fol- 
lowing: 
That hereafter in the several Executive Departments, the Department of Labor, 
United States Fish Commission, Interstate Commerce Commission, Smithsonian Insti- 
tution, Government Printing Office, and the offices of the government of the District 
of Columbia the bids for annual supplies of fuel, ice, stationery, and other miscella- 
neous articles, including those for the State, War, and Navy building, shall be opened 
at 2 o’clock post meridian upon the same day; that the Secretary of the Treasury, or 
an official named by him, shall designate the day in each year upon which bids shall 
be opened in said Executive Departments and other Government establishments in 
the city of Washington, and notice of such designation shall be given to each of 
them at least 40 days before the date named; that before contracts are awarded under 
bids submitted hereunder, schedules of all such bids shall be prepared and submitted 
to a board consisting of the chief clerks of the Treasury, Interior, and Post-Office 
Departments, or such other official representative of each of said Executive Depart- 
ments as the heads thereof may designate, and it shall be the duty of said board, ora 
majority thereof, ata meeting or meetings to be called by the representative thereon of 
the Treasury Department, who shall be the chairman of said board, to make careful 
comparison of all of the bids contained in such schedules, and to recommend to the 
persons authorized to make contracts acceptance or rejection of any or all of said bids. 
If all of the bids for any one or more articles for any of said Executive Departments 
and other Government establishments are rejected on the recommendation of the 
board, proposals for such articles shall again be invited, after due advertisement, 
which said proposals shall be submitted by the Departments or offices receiving the 
same to the said board for comparison. and recommendation. 
Referred to Joint Commission of Congress to inquire into the status 
of Laws Organizing the Executive Departments. 
an 
