Evening star., 1902-09-15
No Surplus Allowed.


The men are entitled to the full benefit of
the money and stores allowed for their
subsistence, and no expenditure will be
made from the general mess fund except
for the benefit of the mess; nor will any of
this money or these stores be withheld
(when they can be used to advantage and
allowed to accumulate as a surplus. In
cases, however, where a surplus of either
money or stores does unavoidably exist
when a ship Is placed out Of commission
it is declared that the members of the mess
have no claim whatever to any part of it.
and it reverts to the government, the stores
being taken up as again on issues and the
money being credited to the appropriation
provisions, navy"
Subsistence of enlisted men absent from
the ship duty Will, when practicable be
furnished by the general mess. When men
are landed in large numbers for an expedi-
ton or for going into camp with the ex-
pectation of being absent from the ship
for more than tWenty-four hours the COM
missary or the commissary steward, ac-
cording to the proportion of the ships COM
pany landed and the Importance of the ex-
pedition. together with such cooks and
bakers as may be necessary and a suff-
cient number of messmen will constitute
the commissary corps.
Duties of the Commissary
The pay officer of the ship. or in ships hav-
ing no pay officer officer designated by
the captain Is the commissary, and Is solely
responsible for the purchase and prepara-
ton of the food for the general mess the
care of the stores and the judeious ex-
penditure of mess funds. keeping the ac-
counts of the mess and administering all
its affairs except the serving of the food
at the mess table
His authority in the performance of these
duties is commensurate with his RESPONSE
bility, and all persons employed in the serv-
ice of the general mess are subject to his
orders.
The commissary should frequently inspect
the storerooms allotted to the general mess
and see that the stores are properly slowed
and that the rooms are dry and we'll ven
tilatad. Any deterioration in the stores
being direct loss to the mess. great care
should be exercised in their selection, and
time than be used within the period
that they may be expected to keep in good
condition.
The dietary of the enlisted men of the
navy is, necessarily, based upon the ration
provided by law. In general messes where
the circumstances are favorable, provisions
which are not part OF the ration may at
times be purchased, but articles of which
there is a supply already on board in the
pay department are not to be bought un-
less the government stores shall have de-
Perforated. in which case they must be sur
veyed and a new stock obtained at the first
opportunity.
A Store Afloat.
There being public funds available for
the establishment of store on board ships
of the navy, such establishment is not made
compulsory, but 1t is left to the discretion
of the commanding officer. The advantages
of such a store are, however, so obvious
and so great, says the paymaster general,
| that provision is made in the regulations
| for its administration in ships where it ex-
| lists or may be established.
On board ship, where the facilities are
| necessarily restricted and the food lacking
| In variety compared to that obtainable on
] shore, 1t Is of the highest Importance, says