At a recruiting station at a military post such quantities of unbleached toweling, not exceeding twelve yards for a six months' supply, and such quantity of issue soap as may be necessary, will be issued to the recruiting officer at the post by the commissary upon requisition, approved by the commanding officer, for use exclusively by applicants for enlistment, recruits on probation, and newly enlisted men awaiting transfer to permanent stations. Towels will be laundered by those who use them. The receipt of the recruiting officer will be the commissary's voucher for dropping the articles from his return.

Such quantities of toilet paper as may be absolutely necessary for the use of recruits at recruit rendezvous will be issued by the commissaries to the officers in charge on requisitions approved by the post commanders. The receipt of the officer in charge will be the commissary's voucher for dropping the articles from his return.

Articles issued in pursuance of this paragraph will not be accounted for on property returns by officers receiving them, but will be continued in use until worn out.-A. R., 14044. Vide G. O. No. 130, A. G. O., 1901.

778. Subsistence will not be issued to destitute persons except when the commanding officer assumes the responsibility of ordering the issue to relieve starvation or extreme suffering. In such cases the circumstances will be fully stated in the order.-A. R., 1405.

779. The commanding officer will certify to the accuracy of the abstract of issues upon comparison with the ration returns, which will be retained by him. The abstract of issues so certified, and accompanied by copies of orders or authorities contemplated by paragraph 777, A. R., is the commissary's voucher for the issues.-A. R., 1406. Vide G. O. No. 11, A. G. O., 1902.

NOTES. For issues of accumulations of supplies, vide A. R., 1358, 1359, 1360.

For issue of flour in making paste for target practice, vide A. R., 421.

For issues to signal parties, vide A. R., 1751, and "Supplies."

In cases where it is impracticable for an officer to personally superintend his own issues, vide A. R., 755.

RECORDS.

780. All military records must be carefully preserved. All public records and papers, such as letters and telegrams received, books of general and special orders and circulars, books of letters received and sent, etc., are the property of the United States and will be required by the War Department in the settlement of claims against the Government, and for other official purposes. Whenever posts, districts, geographical departments, corps, divisions, brigades, and regiments are discontinued, all such records will be carefully labeled, and packed, and marked. showing the command to which they pertain, and forwarded by express to the Adjutant General of the Army.—A. R., 890, 891.

781. When it is necessary to withdraw a letter for file with the officer's accounts, a duly certified copy will be made to replace it in the office file. Letters pertaining exclusively to the settlement of an officer's accounts belong to him and not to the office files. -Regs. Subs. Dept. Vide A. R., 1345.

782. Every person who willfully destroys or attempts to destroy, or with intent to steal or destroy, takes and carries away any paper, document, or record filed or deposited in any public office, shall, without reference to the value of the record, paper, or document so taken, pay a fine of not more than $2,000, or suffer imprisonment, at hard labor, not more than three years, or both.-Rev. Stat., 5403. Vide A. R., 893.

783. Every officer, having the custody of any record, document, or paper, specified in Revised Statutes, 5403, who fraudulently takes away, or withdraws, or destroys any such record, document or paper filed in his office or in his custody, shall pay a fine of not more than $2,000, or suffer imprisonment at hard

labor not more than three years, or both; and shall, moreover, forfeit his office and be forever afterward disqualified from holding any office under the Government of the United States.-Rev. Stat., 5408. Vide A. R., 893.

784. Copies of any records or papers in the War Department or any of its bureaus, if authenticated by the impressed stamp of the bureau or office having custody of the originals (e. g., "Commissary General's Office, Official Copy"), may be admitted in evidence equally with the originals thereof before any court-martial, court of inquiry, etc., in any administrative matter under the War Department.-G. O. No. 91, A. G. O., 1900.

785. The use of colored inks, except as carmine or red ink is used in annotation and ruling, is prohibited in the records and correspondence of the Army.— A. R., 892.

786. No information will be furnished by any person in the military service which can be made the basis of a claim against the Government, except it be given as the regulations prescribe to the proper officers of the War, Treasury, or Interior Departments, or the Department of Justice.-A. R., 894. Vide Cir. War Dept., Dec. 4, 1899.

787. The following books of record will be kept:

BY CHIEF COMMISSARIES.-Cash book, commissary book, board of survey book, letters received book, letters sent book (letter-press copy book), and any other books which may be found necessary in the administration of their offices.

BY PURCHASING COMMISSARIES.-Cash book, letters received book, letters sent book (letter-press copy book), stock book, inventory book, and any other books which may be found necessary in the administration of their offices.

BY POST COMMISSARIES.-Letters received book, letters sent book (letter-press copy book), cash book, cash sales book, commissary book, stock book, and such memorandum blotters as may be found necessary.

BY REGIMENTAL COMMISSARIES.-The same as those prescribed for post commissaries if necessary.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

REFRIGERATORS.

788. Refrigerators for preservation of subsistence stores before issue or sales by commissaries will be called for on requisition (Form 50), and will be supplied only when specially authorized by the Commissary General.—Regs. Subs. Dept. NOTE. For ice for use in refrigerators of the Subsistence Department, vide "Ice."

REPORTS.

789. On the first day of each month the officers of the Subsistence Department will report to the Commissary General, upon Form 61, their stations and duties during the preceding month. This report is required from commissaries only and those detailed in the Subsistence Department under Act approved February 2, 1901, but not from officers acting as commissaries.-A. R., 898; Regs. Subs. Dept.

NOTE.-Officers who are relieved from subsistence duty in the Division of the Philippines will, upon the day on which they are relieved, report to the Commissary General (as prescribed in Form 68) in regard to relief from such duty and as to transfer or deposit of balances of subsistence funds for which they are responsible.-Vide G. O. No. 9, A. G. O., 1902.

790. Upon the last day of each month Post Commissary Sergeants will report (Form 62), through the officers under whom they are serving, to the Commissary General.-A. R., 112; G.O. No. 23, A. G. O., 1897; Regs. Subs. Dept. NOTE.

For report required of a Post Commissary Sergeant on the day he takes advantage of a furlough, vide "Post Commissary Sergeants," and Circular No. 8, A. G. O., 1900.

Resindef.

791. When a clerk in the Subsistence Department at large is granted a leave of absence, a statement will be forwarded to the Commissary General by the officer granting the leave, showing the date on which such absence begins, its duration, the date to which he was last paid, and by what officer.-Cir. Letter, O. C. G., June 26, 1900.

792. The monthly report to the Commissary General of civil employees of

40.125-07. the Subsistence Department and of extra-duty men detailed in the Department

who render personal services therein, is made on Form 21.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

NOTE.-Post commissaries are required to submit monthly a report of stores, funds, etc. (Form 60), to the chief commissary of the department.

793. As soon as practicable after June 30 of each year, chief commissaries of divisions and departments will render to the Commissary General a concise report (which will cover the fiscal year ending June 30, and as a rule will terminate with that date) of the operations of the Subsistence Department under their supervision.-Regs. Subs. Dept. G. O. No. 89, A. G. O., 1901.

REQUISITIONS.

I. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.

794. Officers whose duty it is to make requisitions should keep them in a forward state of preparation, which will obviate delays in transmitting the requisitions. Regs. Subs. Dept.

795. It is made the duty of commanding officers to cause requisitions pertaining to their commands to be promptly made and forwarded; and commissaries should, accordingly, make timely requisitions, approved by their commanding officers, for supplies for troops with which they serve.-A. R., 828, 1354.

796. Officers doing duty as staff officers at military posts will submit their requisitions for supplies and property to their immediate commanding officers for revision and approval, who will carefully examine the requisitions and satisfy themselves that the articles asked for are in quantity and kind actually required for the public service during the period covered.—A. R., 829, 1354.

797. The attention of department commanders and of all officers charged with the duty of making or approving requisitions for the expenditure of money, is called to the importance of careful scrutiny and painstaking to avoid unnecessary expense.-G. O. No. 61, A. G. O., 1901.

798. Commissaries at posts, whether independent or under control of department commanders, perform their duties under the supervision of the chief commissaries, and render to them such requisitions as may be required for furnishing the posts with supplies.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

799. In making requisitions, commissaries will carefully ascertain the wants of their posts, and base the quantities to be called for upon the actual consumption as shown by the commissary books for the last previous period of equal length and usually of corresponding season, duly considering the past and present strength of the garrisons. The aim should be to secure an adequate supply without overstocking, and also not to underestimate, as special calls will not ordinarily be considered. The important duty of preparing requisitions for submission to their post commanders should be performed by commissaries in person, and not be delegated to other persons.-Regs. Subs. Dept. 800. The periods covered by requisitions will be regulated by chief commissaries under the supervision of department commanders, and will be made as brief as practicable. They should cover full calendar months; should begin with the first day of the month in which made, and, for posts in the same department located so that the time of transportation from points of supply is nearly equal, should be of the same length. Exceptions will be made if the isolation of a post in winter or expensive winter transportation renders it important to

furnish as late in the fall as prudence will permit a supply sufficient to last well into or through the next ensuing spring; or if important to provide and transport in the spring or fall certain stores that are liable to damage by extreme heat or cold.--Regs. Subs. Dept.

801. While only the authorized variety or varieties of any article are intended to be kept on hand at a post, a change from one brand or make of an article to another may be allowed, as new requisitions are made from time to time, provided the change will not cause an accumulation at the post.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

802. Where an article has been on hand at a post for several months without any material reduction by sales, no further supply of the article in any variety or size should be asked for on requisition by the commissary, or be allowed on revision by the chief commissary.—Regs. Subs. Dept.

803. When it is no longer desired to carry an authorized article in stock, the fact should be noted on the requisition, and the reasons given.-Regs. Subs. Dept. 804. Any remark or suggestion concerning an article called for on requisition should, if practicable, be noted in red ink opposite to or near the name of the article.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

805. Explanation should be made when unusually large or small quantities are requested.—-Regs. Subs. Dept.

806. Under the heading "Quantity due" only those quantities which the chief commissary has previously notified as having been allowed will be entered.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

807. The quantity of an article on hand and fit for issue or use will be given whether an additional supply is required or not. An article unfit for use will not be included in the quantities "On hand,” but notation of the fact will be made in the column of remarks, or in the designated place on the requisition.— Regs. Subs. Dept.

808. Information should accompany the requisition as to whether any of the articles that are required can be procured in the vicinity of the post of satisfactory quality, in what quantities, and at what prices.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

809. When an article is to be purchased at the post, notation of that fact will be made on the requisition in red ink, and if it is procured under contract, the date when the contract terminates will be stated.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

810. A commissary may state on his requisition the particular brands of subsistence stores that are preferred at his post, and the same be supplied if it will not increase the authorized number of varieties.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

811. Any information should be furnished that will be of assistance in procuring the kind of supplies, the preferred sizes and styles of packages desired, or be useful to the chief commissary in revising the requisition, the purchasing commissary in filling it, or the quartermaster in making shipment. -Regs. Subs. Dept.

812. The date on which it is desired that supplies should arrive at the post should be stated in the requisition.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

813. Chief commissaries revise requisitions from posts by aid of the commissary books; and the important duty of revising requisitions is to be performed by chief commissaries themselves, and not be delegated to other persons.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

814. Chief commissaries should act upon all requisitions expeditiously, and in making calls on the purchasing commissaries state the dates on or before which supplies should arrive at destination. They should, in all practicable cases, make their calls in time to allow the purchases to be made after ten days' advertising for proposals; and, in any call made for supplies to arrive at destination in so short a time as to prevent the purchasing commissary from advertising for the full period of ten days, a concise statement of reasons for haste will

(if military considerations do not forbid), be given in the call. Should the requisition be made by telegraph, the information may be sent by mail.—Regs. Subs. Dept.

815. When a chief commissary allows on any requisition less than 100 pounds of stores, he will add to what he has allowed a sufficient quantity of articles of the ration to make a total of 100 pounds; provided the purchasing commissary to whom he sends the requisition is authorized to purchase such articles, otherwise he will call for none but the stores allowed.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

816. The chief commissary will notify the commissary as soon as practicable of the action taken upon the latter's requisition.—Regs. Subs. Dept.

817. Requisitions for toilet, barbers', laundry and tailors' articles for issue to general prisoners; for toilet and laundry articles for recruits at recruiting stations; for toweling and issue soap for applicants for enlistment, recruits on probation, and newly enlisted men awaiting transfer to permanent stations; and toilet paper for use of post guardhouses and recruits at recruiting rendezvous, will be made as required under the provisions of A. R., 1404 and 14041, as amended by G. O. No. 130, A. G. O., 1901. Vide “ "Ration Issues" for instructions.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

818. Transport commissaries will obtain subsistence stores needed for use on tiansports by requisition upon purchasing commissaries at or nearest the ports of arrival or departure at which replenishment is necessary. Stores thus obtained will be transferred by purchasing commissaries on invoices and receipts, and a copy of each invoice will be forwarded by the invoicing officer to the Subsistence Superintendent of the Transport Service.-Cir. Letter, O. C. G., Apr. 14, 1900. Vide Regs. A. T. S., 139.

819. Transport commissaries will submit all requisitions for stores (Form 71) at the home port to the Subsistence Superintendent, and at all other ports to the senior officer of the Subsistence Department on duty there.-Regs. A. T. S., 139, 140.

820. Requisitions will be made in duplicate, and, after approval, one copy will be forwarded to the chief commissary or to the officer who is to revise the requisition and the other retained for file in the office where made.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

II.—QUARTERLY REQUISITIONS.

821. A quarterly requisition for stores that have good keeping qualities, covering a period of six or seven months, according to time and distance from points of supply, will, if promptly received and filled, usually prevent reduction of supply at a post below requirements for one month. For example: A requisition made on January 1 to last until June 30; April 1 to last until September 30; July 1 to last until December 31; October 1 to last until March 31.— Regs. Subs. Dept.

822. A quarterly requisition for “subsistence stores for use of troops, etc.,” will be made on Form 48, and on Form 51 a requisition for "subsistence stores for sales to officers and troops." These requisitions, after approval, will be mailed direct to the chief commissary or to the officer who is to revise the requisition not later than the fifth of the month in which made. No article of monthly supply will be entered on this requisition.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

823. These requisitions will be accompanied by a list showing articles on hand in good condition in excess of the requirements of the post with recommendation as to their disposition, and also a list of articles on hand unfit for use, stating the nature of the damage and what, if any, action has been taken in regard to the matter.-Regs. Subs. Dept.