42 



Indiana University Studies 



shown by Mr. Wright, that in many instances this results in 

 a higher price being paid for some articles than some insti- 

 tutions would have had to pay in the local market. To obvi- 

 ate this difficulty, several States provide that superintend- 

 ents, with the consent of the board, may purchase supplies in 

 the open market up to a certain specified sum, from $100 to 

 $500 usually. This means that an institution may benefit 

 by any local conditions in which the local market price is low, 

 temporarily or otherwise. There is also a provision in nearly 

 every law that every institution shall have a definite con- 

 tingent fund at its disposal for emergency for which no de- 

 tailed estimate need be given. Just how far the superin- 

 tendent may act in this regard depends upon the attitude of 

 the members of the board of control. Some States, as for 

 example New York, specify that all purchases shall be for 

 cash at thirty days, except that the board may permit two 

 or more institutions to make joint contracts for certain sup- 

 plies for longer periods. 



Digests of Provisions of Typical Laws. The following 



digests of existing statutes in representative States will give 

 a clearer idea of the different ways in which different States 

 treat the problem. 



Administrative Boards — 



Arizona. The Board of Control shall purchase all supplies for the 

 institutions under its control; shall advertise for bids, for supplies over 

 $100 in amount, and shall award to the lowest bidder. The law specifies 

 the method of advertising, opening bids, etc. — Revised Statutes, 1913^ 

 § 4452 et seq. 



Iowa. The board of control shall make specific rules concerning the 

 purchasing of supplies. " Contracts may be entered into under the direc- 

 tion of the board by proper officials of one or more institutions for 

 staples and supplies which it is feasible to purchase in bulk or for use 

 for periods longer than thirty days. — Supplement to Code, 1907, § 2727a 

 et seq. 



Kentucky. The board of control shall purchase supplies by bids, for 

 purchases over $1,000.— Acis, 1906, Ch. 18, p. 60. 



North Dakota. Contracts may be entered into under the direction 

 of the Board of Control by proper officials of one or more institutions for 

 staples and other articles or supplies to be purchased in bulk for periods 

 longer than thirty days. The board shall make specific rules respecting 

 the purchase of supplies and contracts for. the same, but the purchase is 

 to be made by the executive officer of each institution. There is a quar- 

 terly conference between the members of the board and the heads of insti- 



