3862. Under existing instructions, an annual inspection of all boilers operated by the Quartermaster Corps, including those installed on harbor boats, is made by representatives of the United States SteamboatInspection Service. This inspection is arranged for by an officer of the Engineer Corps of the Army. Reports covering the inspection of harbor boat boilers are rendered on Steamboat-Inspection Service forms, and forwarded to the Quartermaster General through channels.

NONPERSONAL SERVICES.

3863. It is the policy of the Quartermaster Corps to have all the harbor boats operated by it withdrawn from the water, bottom cleaned and painted, and all necessary repairs accomplished twice each year, at such times as the boat can best be spared from scheduled service or artillery duties with least interference with such duties. The months of March and October have been determined upon as the most acceptable for accomplishment of these repairs at stations where ice is encountered during the winter months. At southern stations periods when outdoor artillery duties are suspended is the most suitable time for overhauling and repair.

3864. Funds for repairs to boats operated by quartermasters subordinate to department quartermasters are apportioned to department headquarters by the Quartermaster General and in turn allotted by department headquarters to subordinate quartermasters, it being intended that the cost of repairs made on any vessel shall be kept within the amount of funds allotted for the period stated in advice of allotment. 3865. The master and engineer of each vessel should be required to keep a complete list of all repair work required in their respective departments, notations being made on this list from time to time as necessity for each repair becomes apparent. The post or coast defense quartermasters under whom the boats are in operation should carefully scrutinize the repair lists as submitted, and at a sufficient time in advance of the semiannual repair period, inspect each item of work covered by said lists, discussing them as required with the master and engineer for their respective departments, and such of the work as considered necessary by the quartermaster should be included in a Class IV requisition, prepared in accordance with instructions contained in paragraph 422, complete specifications describing each item of work believed necessary and the estimated cost of each item, being forwarded with the requisition to department headquarters (about Feb. 10 and Sept. 10 of each year), care being exercised that the total estimated cost of work asked for does not exceed the amount allotted for the purpose, and request being made for authority to expend the funds necessary for accomplishment of the work listed.

3866. Special care should be exercised in the preparation of specifications accompanying the requisition, to clearly, completely and lucidly state just what repair work is required, avoiding any ambiguity or careless phraseology. Separate prices should be obtained from bidders for all items which are not definitely known to be required, such, for instance, as renewal of zinc bars and rings at sea strainers and tail shaft, rewooding or remetalling of stern bearing, and the like. Absolutely necessary approved repairs or replacement of broken parts not obtainable as supplies, should be grouped and a lump sum price obtained from bidders for their accomplishment. Changes, alterations, or additions in the original construction of the vessel must not be included in the regular semiannual repair requisitions, but must be submitted separately for approval of the War Deprtment in every instance in sufficient time for action and procurement of bids on any approved items at the same time bids are secured for the semiannual repairs, that all approved work may be combined in contract for completion at one time. In obtaining bids for such work the betterments, alterations, and additions should be listed separately and separate prices obtained for accomplishment of each item.

3867. When semiannual repair requisitions are received back from department headquarters, advertisements should be issued by circular-proposal to all near-by ship repair firms and nearest navy yard, the greatest possible competition being obtained. Effort should be made to so time the advertisement that abstract of proposals, together with recommendation as to award may be submitted to department headquarters, authority for award obtained, contract executed, and work accomplished during the repair period indicated above. In inviting bids for repairs to harbor boats, "Circular-proposal and specifications for repairs" (Q. M. C. Form 132) should be used. If this form is properly and carefully executed, uniform action will be had throughout the service.

3868. Proposals should be guaranteed either by individual sureties, a bonding company, or by certified check. Certified checks should be promptly returned to unsuccessful bidders, after award has been made and contract executed.

TRANSPORTATION ON HARBOR BOATS.

TROOPS.

3869. Organizations: Interpost exchange of troop organizations are made by harbor boats in accordance with the necessities of the service and on order of the coast defense or post commander. As harbor boats are not equipped with sleeping or messing accommodations for a large number of men, it is not practicable to use them for voyages of more than 14 hours' duration as a maximum. The deck capacity, or passengercarrying capacity of the various harbor boats, is dependent upon their size, and is a matter of record aboard each boat.

3870. Recruits: Detachments of recruits are, when conditions warrant, sent from recruit depots via. harbor boats attached thereto to near by railway terminals or steamship docks, whence they are transported to the stations to which assigned. All details in regard to their journey, including that portion made via harbor boat, are arranged by the commanding officer of the recruit depot.

SUPPLIES AND PROPERTY.

3871. One of the primary functions for which the harbor boats are supplied is the transportation of sup. plies to and from the various harbor posts. All supplies transported on harbor boats must be covered by manifest (Q. M. C. Forms 429 and 430). Manifests are prepared in quadruplicate, with indelible pencil and carbon process, by the wharfinger or freight clerk at initial point-he retaining one copy, receipted by the mate of the harbor boat, and turning over the other three copies to the mate. The first two copies of the manifest are turned over by the mate to the wharfinger or person authorized to receive such freight at point of delivery, who will sign the third copy-which then becomes a part of the steamer's records. The wharfinger at point of delivery turns over one of his two copies to the teamster effecting delivery and holds the other. The teamster secures the signatures of the consignees on his copy of the manifest which, when properly completed, is returned to the wharfinger, who files same with the other copy.

3872. The capacity for transportation of animals on the various harbor boats is strictly limited to the open space available on forward main deck. As it is not practicable to construct stalls on these small vessels, they can only be used for transportation of small numbers of animals on short journeys.

3873. The same procedure is followed in the transportation of property of officers, enlisted men, and employees as in the case of transportation of freight-same being manifested and the manifests accomplished as outlined therefor.

3874. Commercial freight consigned to persons at posts, when delivered at a harbor boat wharf, will be entered on manifest and delivery effected as in the case of official freight.

INDIVIDUALS.

3875. On all harbor boats of sufficient size, an officers' cabin is provided, for the accommodation of commissioned officers, their families and guests. Where space permits, a suitable cabin is also provided for accommodation of noncommissioned officers and employees, their families and guests, and the families of enlisted men. The enlisted men are accommodated in separate quarters-alleyways of main deck, troops' cabin, or, in pleasant weather, on the main deck forward.

3876. Civilians not connected with the post, or tradesmen, must procure passes from the commanding officer of the coast defense or post for travel on harbor boats, which passes must be exhibited to he mate or designated employee on duty at the gangplank prior to casting off.

67511°-VOL 1-17-38

ARTICLE VI.

FIELD DEPOTS, LINE OF COMMUNICATIONS, MOBILIZATION AND CONCENTRATION CAMPS.

SUPPLIES FOR TROOPS IN THE FIELD.

3877. A line of communications is not organized if the force can safely occupy a territory without military operations of an extensive character. In this case, administration and supply naturally and properly follow the same general principles as with troops in the home country.

A line of communications is established for each important force about to engage in field operations involving a movement from a base and is ordinarily divided into a base section and an advance section. In certain unusual cases, due to an extensive prolongation of the line of communications, an intermediate section may be required. An advance section is required at the head of each important route of supply emerging from the base.

3878. A base depot is a large depot established at the base of the line of communications.

Intermediate depots are depots established whenever it is found necessary to establish an intermediate section of the line of communications.

An advance depot is a depot established at the head of the line of communications. There may be several advance depots on a single line of communications, one being at the head of each important route of supply. The principle to be followed is not to store supplies at an advance depot but to keep them at that point, as far as practicable, on wheels; that is, either in freight cars or supply columns. Mobility is the controlling feature, especially where the field force is advancing.

3879. The quartermaster of the base group of line of communications is, under the direction of his com mander, responsible for the prompt and efficient supply of subsistence, clothing, fuel, forage, and other quartermaster supplies pertaining to the command.

3880. All supplies, including subsistence stores, will, so far as practicable, be furnished from stock or by purchase, or both, by the base or other designated depot upon properly approved requisitions, requests and ration returns, or by purchase locally, or by chief or other quartermasters, or by requisitions or levies in the theater of operations, and in such manner as may be desired by the commander of the field army or other separate organized unit.

3881. When the consumption of supplies is constant, such as rations, fuel, forage, and other supplies which are consumed daily, or when the demand can be anticipated in advance, such supplies will be forwarded from the line of communications without requisitions to meet the needs of the troops in advance. For supplies whose demand can not be anticipated, requisitions will be submitted through such channels as may be directed by proper authority and will be filled by the nearest supply point on the line of communications having available supplies for issue.

SUPPLY OF TROOPS FROM BASE DEPOT AND ADVANCE DEPOTS. 3882. When the units of a division are greatly dispersed, requisitions for supplies for which the demand can not be anticipated by quartermasters on the line of communications should, unless otherwise directed by competent authority, be submitted by supply officers of organizations to quartermasters or assistants in charge of supply columns, supply trains, or advance depots. When supplies are not available for issue at the advance depots, the quartermaster in charge at that point will take steps to have them brought forward. When a division is intact, requisitions for supplies required by the units thereof will be submitted, unless otherwise ordered by competent authority, through proper channels to the division quartermaster, and by him consolidated or not, as may be deemed most expedient, and the supplies drawn from supply columns, or the requisition sent to the quartermaster in charge of the advance depot, who, if the supplies are not available for issue at that point, will take steps to have them brought forward.

3883. When the prescribed combination blank invoice and receipt (Q. M. C. Form 201) is used, it will be prepared in quadruplicate and disposed of as follows:

(a) By invoicing officer: One invoice given proper serial number, posted to property account, marked "Posted," with date of posting, and mailed direct to the Quartermaster General as voucher to property account, and one invoice and two receipts to the officer to whom the supplies are transferred.

By receiving officer: After receipt and verification of property, accomplish both receipts and note on them the proper serial number; post one copy of the receipt to the property account, mark it "Posted," with date of posting, and mail it direct to the Quartermaster General, and mail the other copy to the invoicing officer. File the invoice with property account.

(b) When subsistence stores are transferred, two invoices and two receipts will be sent to the officer to whom the supplies are transferred, who will, when stores are received, accomplish both receipts and return them to the invoicing officer.

(c) Subsistence stores should never be included in invoices covering other supplies but will be invoiced separately because they are not accounted for on the same blank form as other supplies. (See Q. M. C. Forms 200 and 219.)

REPLENISHMENT OF STOCK BASE DEPOT.

3884. At a base or other main depot in the field, supplies not procurable in the theater of operations will be replenished from depots in the interior, such depots being designated to supply that line of communications or the force operating in the field.

(a) Every storekeeper and superintendent of shop at the base or main depot in the field will keep on "Daily record of issues and transfers" (Q. M. C. Form 246) a daily record of supplies issued and transferred by him, excepting fuel and supplies issued on ration returns and requisitions for forage. This record will be used for replenishment of stock.

(b) When replenishment of stock is desired, the record will be stamped "Replenishment requested" and will be forwarded (preferably at the close of each day's business) to the designated depot by the quartermaster of the base or main depot in the field. The "Daily record of issues and transfers" used as requisitions for replenishment of stock should clearly describe the articles listed thereon as to size, style, etc. (c) Should the quartermaster of the base depot require replenishment of only a part of the supply included in the "Daily record of issues and transfers," he will modify the record accordingly, care being taken to clearly express the quantities desired.

(d) Subsistence stores for replenishment of stock at base or other depots in the field will be obtained by purchase locally or from the designated general supply depot on "Requisition for subsistence stores" (Q.M. C. Form 168).

3885. The quartermaster of the designated supply depot will, upon receipt of "Daily record of issues and transfers" from base or other depots in the field on which is stamped "Replenishment requested," regard them as requisitions and take immediate steps to forward the supplies.

3886. When a general supply depot receives replenishment requisitions for certain articles which are designated to be supplied by auxiliary depots, it will forward requests covering the articles required to the proper auxiliary depot or depots for supply and shipment to the base depot or other depot in the field. When a general supply depot has a required article in stock or can purchase it, it will not forward such requests or shipping orders to an auxiliary depot unless the article concerned has been designated to be kept in stock only at the auxiliary depot. These requests (or shipping orders) will give full shipping instructions. In urgent cases, orders for the supplies required and shipping instructions may be sent by telegraph. Upon receipt of request for supplies from a designated general supply depot by a depot auxiliary thereto, prompt supply and shipment of the supplies to the base or other depot in the field will be made and the quartermaster of the general supply depot and of the base or other depot in the field advised of the shipment.

3887. A reserve supply of animals will be kept at or near the base. When replenishment is desired, requisition therefor will be submitted direct to the Quartermaster General.

When forage is desired and can not be obtained in the locality or by calls on contractors, requisitions therefor will be submitted direct to the Quartermaster General.

When demand is urgent, telegraphic request will be made for either animals or forage.

3888. Shipment of supplies to fill replenishment requisitions received from the base or other depot in the field will be made, as far as practicable, in carload lots, and to this end shipments from the general supply depot of small lots may be delayed a reasonable time. Shipments from the interior auxiliary and supply depots, particularly shipments of rations, must be made immediately upon receipt of orders for the supply. 3889. A series of placards (Q. M. C. Form Nos. 475 to 482) has been prepared to indicate the various classes of supplies usually shipped and the bureau to which the supplies belong. These placards are 5 by 8 inches and are of distinctive colors. Those for the Quartermaster Corps also have a colored band across the middle, red for clothing and equipage, blue for forage, green for subsistence stores, and white for all other quartermaster supplies. One placard properly filled in must be placed on each side of every carload shipment and securely tacked to the car door. Every carload shipment must be traced by telegraph, by the quartermaster making the shipment, from place of shipment to destination covered by bill of lading. Where there are 10 or more cars to be forwarded arrangements should, if possible, be made with the carriers to forward as a special train without any extra compensation. Delays on the part of the transportation companies in forwarding shipments of supplies for troops in the field will be reported to the Quartermaster General.

3890. Prompt action in forwarding supplies is enjoined on all quartermasters who supply troops in the field.

3891. All invoices covering supplies transferred to the base or other depot for troops in the field will have stamped on the face thereof such notation for cost-keeping purposes as may be directed in special instructions. Invoices and receipts will be prepared in quintuplicate on Q. M. C. Form No. 201 and will be disposed of as follows:

(a) One invoice posted to property account, marked "Posted," and forwarded to the Quartermaster General as voucher to property account.

(b) One invoice and two receipts to base or other depot or office to which the supplies are transferred. (c) One invoice to the Quartermaster General, with list of invoices submitted for credit, or, if credit is not desired, stamp invoice "Not for credit."

REPLENISHMENT OF STOCK-GENERAL SUPPLY DEPOT.

3892. The initial stock furnished the base or other depot in the field will be considered as part of the stock of the designated general supply depot, and credit therefor will not be allowed, except in cases where certain articles are exhausted by supplying initial stock to base or other depot. Credit will be allowed for the value of such articles.

3893. Credit will be allowed a general supply depot or an interior auxiliary depot for all transfers of sup plies made to replenish stock at a base depot when such transfer is based on "Replenishment requisitions” · made by the base depot. Credit for the value of the stores supplied for replenishment will be allowed the depot making the transfer upon receipt by the Quartermaster General of "Lists of invoices" (Q. M. C. Form 75) accompanied by the invoices covering the supplies for which credit is claimed.

3894. These lists of invoices will be submitted direct to the office of the Quartermaster General by the depot or supply point furnishing the stores for replenishment.

FUNDS.

3895. Funds required for the maintenance and operation of the troops in the field will be supplied as follows:

(a) Funds required for the pay of troops, civilian employees, and all other personal and nonpersonal services, local purchases of fuel, forage, subsistence stores and other supplies of the Quartermaster Corps will be supplied to the quartermaster at the base in lump sums under each appropriation involved direct by the Quartermaster General upon receipt of information as to the amounts required under each appropriation.

(b) Transfers of funds will be made by the quartermaster at the base direct to organizations in amounts under each appropriation as may be authorized by the commander of the field forces for the purposes indicated in paragraph (a) above.

(c) To meet immediate needs when war is imminent or declared, or when troops are assembled in camps for purposes of instruction or for other purposes, an initial supply of funds under all appropriations may be furnished quartermasters concerned by the Quartermaster General. Thereafter funds will be obtained as directed in (a) and (b) above.

3896. Funds should be transferred by the quartermaster at the base as required, and entry of each transfer made in an account kept by the quartermaster at the base.

3897. Estimates of funds required by the chief quartermaster of a field army, by a division quartermaster, or by the quartermaster of a mixed force will be forwarded direct to the quartermaster at the base.

Estimates of funds required by the units of a division or by the units of a mixed force will be submitted through the division quartermaster or the quartermaster of the mixed force to the quartermaster at the base, who will supply necessary funds direct to the supply officer concerned.

Estimates of funds required by a base depot will, under the direction of the commander of the field forces, be submitted direct to the Quartermaster General.

When funds are urgently required by separate units not attached to a field army, division, or mixed force request or estimate therefor should be submitted to the chief quartermaster of a field army, division quartermaster, quartermaster of a mixed force, or quartermaster at the base, whichever is the most convenient. The quartermaster receiving the estimate or request will supply the funds if available and call upon the quartermaster at the base to replace them, setting forth in the estimate the fact of the transfer.

Estimates of funds should be submitted in ample time to insure sufficient funds being available at all times to meet the needs of the forces in the field.

3898. Cash working balances will be furnished by the Quartermaster General to quartermaster of base depot sufficient to meet the needs of the respective divisions and other units pertaining to the field army.

ENGAGEMENT OF SERVICES, PERSONAL AND NONPERSONAL. 3899. All services, personal and nonpersonal, required in connection with troops in the field will be obtained under authority of the commander of the field army or other force when required in connection with such force, or will be obtained under the authority of the commander of a line of communications when required in connection therewith.

3900. Report of classified civil service employees, temporary and permanent, will be made as directed in paragraphs 236 to 246.

When civilians are employed for temporary service (not classified civil service) in the Quartermaster Corps in any capacity in connection with troops in the field, agreements will be made as directed in paragraph 187.

3301. Report of personal and nonpersonal services (Q. M. C. Form No. 150) is for use only in time of war and is rendered direct to the Quartermaster General for all services as follows:

(a) Civilian employees, including transfers and absences during the month.