SAMPLES.

870. Whenever standards for supplies to be purchased can be made known by reference to approved samples, it will be stated in advertisements and specifications that information concerning standards can be obtained upon application at the office issuing the advertisement.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

871. Bidders for supplies will be permitted to examine the standard samples at the places where deposited.—A. R., 604.

872. Standard samples for ration articles should be, as far as practicable, uniform throughout the country. While it is not expected that articles exactly corresponding in quality can be procured at all the markets, the object is to obtain articles as nearly like the standards as practicable.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

873. Samples used as standards should be often renewed from stores newly purchased. From time to time inquiry will be made by the Commissary General regarding the existing standard samples, When deemed necessary, changes in the same will be made, and specimen samples may be called for by him.— Regs. Subs. Dept. Vide Cir. Letter, O. C. G., Oct. 8, 1896.

874. Whenever an advertisement states that samples are required they must accompany proposals, be referred to therein, and be plainly marked with the name of the bidder submitting them. They will be of ample size to enable a correct opinion to be formed of the articles offered or to admit of a thorough test being made. Samples will not be received after proposals they should accompany are opened, and no proposal will be considered when samples are not furnished as required. Unused samples not called for within one week will be disposed of.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

SAVINGS.

875. By due economy in interior administration of companies and other organizations some part of the ration can be saved and sold and the proceeds applied to provide additional articles of diet.—A. R., 312.

876. All articles of the ration (excepting fresh beef, dried or pickled fish, soft bread, fresh or desiccated vegetables, and dried fruit) due a company, bakery, or other military organization, and not needed for consumption, will, if public loss will not result, be retained for reissue by the commissary, and will be paid for by him as savings at the invoice prices. The entering of a more expensive component article of the ration on the ration return with the view of leaving it undrawn and selling it to the commissary as savings and purchasing from him for use in its place a less expensive article of the same component is prohibited. Savings not needed by the commissary for reissue may be sold by companies, bakeries, or other organizations to any purchasers.—A. R., 1407.

877. Savings on fresh beef are not allowed to hospitals.-101948, 104503, O. C. G.

878. Savings of the flour ration, ordinarily 33 per cent, will be disposed of by the post treasurer for the benefit of the troops. Bread may be baked from it for sale to civilian employees and others connected with the military service at the post, and to post exchanges; the residue of the flour will be sold.—A. R., 327.

879. All savings of fat, slush, etc., on Army transports, which may be salable, will be placed in barrels and on reaching the home port will be turned over to the authorized commissary representative at the dock, and when disposed of the money will be turned into the transport commissary to be properly accounted for.-Regs. A. T. S., 142.

880. At a post provided with a separate mess for prisoners (general), the savings of the ration will accrue to the prisoners' mess fund.-G. O. No. 55, A. G. O., 1895.

881. While the proceeds from the savings of the rations of the Hospital Corps, and from the savings of the rations of patients who do not require special diet, belong to the hospital fund, the formation of a fund from articles purchased for special diet for enlisted men too sick to use the Army ration is prohibited. A. R., 331, 1395. Vide G. O. No. 182, A. G. O., 1899.

882. Where articles of subsistence stores furnished for sale at a post accumulate in excess of requirements and they are issued to save loss, no stores thus issued will be bought back by the commissary as savings.—A. R., 1359.

883. While savings of the rations issued to troops on transports are prohibited, yet articles of the ration due the organizations aboard, not needed for consumption, may be exchanged for a like money value of other subsistence stores to better the mess and give greater variety while on the voyage.—A. R., 1381. Vide Regs. A. T. S., 147.

884. No portion of the travel ration is purchased as savings by the commissary. Company commanders are required under the provisions of A. R., 1386, to turn in such of the travel rations as are in excess for the time actually consumed by the journey; but any unconsumed portion of the travel ration allowed for the time actually required for the journey can be disposed of by the company commander elsewhere than to the commissary.—103862, O. C. G.

885. The savings of an enlisted man messing separately can not be purchased by the Subsistence Department, as the only savings that department is authorized to purchase are those of "Company, bakery, or other military organization."92 Misc., 1883; A. R., 1407.

886. No article once removed from the storehouse will be purchased back as savings, except on the order of the commanding officer.-A. R., 1399. Vide A. R., 1407.

887. Savings purchased by the commissary will be entered on a receipt roll (Form 17), in duplicate, in the name of the organization to which they belong, and the money value receipted for by the officer in charge thereof. Payments for hospital savings will be made to the surgeon of the post or station.—A. R., 1408.

888. If savings are not paid for by the commissary in the month in which accumulated, the proper organization will be furnished with an extract, in duplicate, of the receipt roll, showing stores received from it and the amount due, which, duly certified by the commissary and approved by the commanding officer, will be presented for payment to any commissary having funds for the purpose.-A. R., 1409.

STORAGE AND STOREHOUSES.

889. Storehouses, sheds, paulins, or other means of covering and protecting subsistence supplies will ordinarily be provided by the Quartermaster's Department. The annual army appropriation acts contain a clause which authorizes the Subsistence Department to make the necessary expenditures for “temporary buildings, cellars, and other means of protecting subsistence supplies when not provided by the Quartermaster's Department.”—A. R., 1373, Vide A. R., 1077; Annual Appropriation Acts.

890. Chief commissaries should keep themselves informed as to the actual and contemplated assignments of storage facilities at posts, and should seek to be heard as to the fitness or unfitness, the sufficiency or insufficiency, of any building which is, or at any time is proposed to be, assigned to the Subsistence Department, and should advise the Commissary General, with full recommendations, in all cases of controversy.-Cir. Letter, O. C. G., Sept. 12, 1895. 891. The securing of necessary storage facilities for the Subsistence Department at posts should be managed by the chief commissary, through the department commander. To this end the department commander should be induced

to require all estimates, requisitions, and other papers bearing on the subject of storage facilities for subsistence stores at posts to be referred to the chief commissary in order that the latter may be appřized at all times of what is being done and what is in contemplation for protecting the interests of his department at the various posts, and that he may advise with the department commander on all such subjects. The chief commissary should, of course, keep a record of all such references, so as to be in a position, at any time, to follow up measures and to put forth efforts for effecting the establishment and maintenance of facilities necessary for the keeping of subsistence supplies at posts in wholesome condition, and for preserving them from damage and loss in store. In proper cases, where the Quartermaster's Department has been applied to for necessary expenses in connection with the establishment or maintenance of storage facilities for subsistence supplies at a post, and has failed or declined and has made record evidence of the fact, the chief commissary should urge upon the department commander the propriety of recommending the expenditure of the necessary amount of funds from the appropriation "Subsistence of the Army" under that clause authorizing the expenditure for "temporary buildings, cellars, and other means of protecting subsistence supplies when not provided by the Quartermaster's Department." But such temporary means should be mere makeshifts, and should not amount to permanent structures, which should be supplied by the Quartermaster's Department.-Regs. Subs. Dept. Vide Cir. Letter, O. C. G., Apr. 24, 1895.

892. For the proper storage of 25,000 complete rations, a room 20 x 40 feet is required, or say 800 feet of floor space.—Regs. Subs. Dept.

893. The following tentage, to be furnished by the Quartermaster's Department, is required for the equipment of a regimental commissary in the field for the storage and issue of subsistence supplies issued by the Subsistence Department: two hospital tents, two wall tents, one common tent, two large paulins, four upright hospital tent poles, two ridge hospital tent poles, four upright wall tent poles, two ridge wall tent poles, two upright common tent poles, and one ridge common tent pole.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

894. Commissaries will make daily inspections of their storehouses; see that they are kept dry and well ventilated; that the stores are properly cared for; that barrels and buckets of water and other means of extinguishing fires are ready for use, and that all proper precautions are taken to guard against loss.— A. R., 1374.

895. Coal oil, gunpowder, quicklime, or other articles of like dangerous nature will not be kept in or near subsistence storehouses.-A. R., 1375.

896. Vegetables should not be stored in cellars under subsistence storehouses, but in root houses-structures apart from the storehouses-constructed in the earth or on the surface. These root houses or cellars are permanent structures and should be provided by and at the expense of the Quartermaster's Department.-Cir. Letter, O. C. G., Apr. 24, 1895.

897. When practicable, each kind of subsistence stores will be placed by itself, the packages arranged so as to allow the air to circulate among them, and to permit the kind, quantity, and age (date of purchase) of each lot to be readily ascertained.-Regs. Subs. Dept.

898. The window openings of storehouses should be provided with iron bars and shutters. In hot weather the sun should be excluded, and at night the sashes and shutters should be opened for ventilation, a curtain of bagging or other suitable material being fastened in the window openings to keep out flies. Neatness should be observed everywhere, especially in sales rooms.— Regs. Subs. Dept.

899. The keys of storehouses will not be intrusted to enlisted men or civilians without great circumspection upon the part of the accountable officer; and

keys of storehouses should be in possession of officers at night.-Regs. Subs. Dept. Vide A. R., 756.

900. The number of lights and hours during which electric current or gas may be used in storehouses will be designated by the commanding officer.— G. O. No. 44, A. G. O., 1901.

901. The following are the specifications of the labor and material required in the construction of a root cellar (in accordance with plans No. 65 "B," prepared in the office of the Quartermaster General, which plans are referred to and made a part of the specifications below), to cost about $600 :

GENERAL CONDITIONS.

EXCAVATION, ETC.

Excavate as required by the site and drawings to the depth and shape shown on section, and deposit same where directed, so it can be used later, toward the embankment or covering.

Sufficient material to complete the embankment to be taken from such point as shall be designated by officer in charge, and the entire surface to be carefully sodded at completion. The sods on the outer slopes to be thoroughly secured by proper stakes to prevent washing out.

Special note.-If the stone quarry at or near the post is considered suitable and convenient, it would be better, as a matter of durability, to construct a wall around cellar of stone laid up dry in place of the timber and plank walls shown and specified.

CARPENTER WORK.

Framing.-All timbers to be of Oregon pine or other good building timber suitable to the locality (cost and quality considered, and to be determined by officer in charge). It must be well seasoned, free from shakes large knots, or other imperfections impairing its strength and durability, straight-grained and square-edged. All timbers must be properly framed, according to plans.

Sizes of lumber.-Sills 4 by 6 inches, laid flat, halved and pinned at angles; main posts 6 by 6 inches and tenoned into 6 by 6 inch crossbeams.

Studs 2 by 6 inches, spaced midway between outside posts. End posts supporting purlins 4 by 6 inches. Plate 2 by 6 inches, doubled and spiked together, breaking joints. Studs and purlins 4 by 6 inches.

Floors. Entire floor of bins to be covered with 1-inch boards, securely nailed to 3 by 4 inch sleepers set on edge, while the passage will be covered with 2-inch plank spiked to 3 by 4 inch sleepers.

Boarding and roofing.—Outside walls of building to be covered with 2-inch plank, and the entire roof to be covered with two layers of same, care being taken to break joints throughout. All joints to be given a thick coat of oil paint, or paint skins, then driven tightly together and securely spiked.

Ventilators. Construct two square ventilators on ridge, as shown, of 1-inch boards, securely fitted in place. Bins, etc.-Bins to be constructed as shown, using 1-inch boards for partitions, securely nailed to posts. Fronts of bins to be fitted with movable boards, to slide in grooves made by nailing 1 by 2 inch strips each side of posts. The racks to be constructed in two tiers of 1 by 4 inch strips, placed 3/4 inch apart, resting on 2 by 4 inch pieces spiked to posts.

Bulkhead.-The framework around outside door to be thoroughly constructed, with a 2 by 4 inch frame to receive doors.

Doors.-Inside door to be clear white-pine glazed sash door, stock pattern, 134 inches thick, with ogee panels. To be of the dimensions given, and fitted with suitable loose joint butts, mineral knobs and mortise lock. The outside doors to be 1-inch tongued and grooved strips tightly fitted together, and securely nailed to three 13% by 8 inch battens, and fitted with approved strap hinges, hasp, staples, and padlock.

Steps.-Construct the steps as shown; the treads to be 134-inch plank with rounded nosing and treads % inch thick, resting on three 2 by 12 inch stringers, thoroughly secured in place.

PAINTING.

All the outside woodwork or bulkhead, ventilators, and both sides of outside doors to receive two coats of pure white lead and linseed oil, colored as may be directed by officer in charge, and the entire work to be left complete in all particulars.

APPROXIMATE ESTIMATE OF THE COST OF MATERIAL AND LABOR NECESSARY TO CONSTRUCT A ROOT CELLAR, IN ACCORDANCE WITH PLAN "65 B," PREPARED IN THE OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL.

SUPPLIES (IN BULK).

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

902. Subsistence supplies comprise all articles of subsistence stores and subsistence property.-A. R., 1355. Vide G. O. No. 130, A. G. O., 1901.

903. Accountability and responsibility devolve upon any person to whom supplies are intrusted and who is required to make returns therefor. Responsibility without accountability devolves upon one to whom supplies are intrusted, but who is not required to make returns therefor.-A. R., 739.

904. If an officer in charge of supplies (not properly pertaining to a company or detachment) is, by order, leave of absence, or any other cause, separated from them, the commanding officer, or an officer designated by him, will receipt and account for them.-A. R., 741.

905. If it becomes necessary to remove all officers from the charge of supplies, the commanding officer will take measures to secure them and report the circumstances to the proper authority.-A. R., 742.

906. An officer will not, when it can be avoided, be detailed for duty which will separate him from supplies for which he is accountable.-A. R., 746.

907. A transfer of supplies involves a change of possession and accountability. The transferring officer will furnish the receiving officer with invoices in duplicate, accurately enumerating the supplies, and the latter will return duplicate receipts. The transaction will appear on the returns rendered by each.— A. R., 747.

908. When an officer is relieved from duty he will, unless otherwise ordered, turn over to his successor all the supplies pertaining to the service from which he is relieved.-A. R., 16, 712.

NOTE. For action required when an officer to whom supplies have been forwarded and who believes they have miscarried, vide A. R., 748; "Transfers and Shipments."

909. If an officer to whom supplies have been transferred refuses to receipt for them, the invoicing officer will report the facts to the commanding officer of the former for action. Copies of all papers relating to the transaction will be filed with his returns.-A. R., 749.

910. When packages of supplies are opened for the first time, whether because of apparent defect or for issue, the officer responsible, or some other commissioned officer, will be present and verify the contents by actual weight, count, or measurement, as circumstances may require, and in case of deficiency or damage will make written report of the facts to the post commander. If only the officer responsible be present and make the report, he will secure the sworn statements in writing of one or more civilians or enlisted men regarding the condition of the supplies when examined. Should a board of survey be convened, the post commander will refer to it the report made by the examining officer, together with the sworn statements.-A. R., 751.

911. The giving or taking of receipts in blank for supplies is prohibited.— A. R., 752.

912. All public subsistence stores taken from the enemy shall be secured for the service of the United States, and for neglect thereof the commanding officer shall be answerable. They will be turned over to a subsistence officer, who will immediately take them up on his returns, with full statement as to whence they came.-Regs. Subs. Dept. Vide A. W., 9.

913. Supplies procured by one bureau will not be furnished to another except by special authority of the Secretary of War. When furnished and restored in kind, they will be delivered at the post from which received, or at such other post as department commanders or chiefs of bureaus concerned may determine. If the transaction is between two bureaus of the War Department, payment