The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-08-28

6oAcidl uePOtos sOIHe OI tnem CEN
b fury old, were established at centrally
located points where are received and
stored certain articles of equipment, In
Sufficient quantities, however, to meet
the demands of the immediate future
only. These depots are conducted with
the view of expansion to meet the de-
mands which will be placed upon them
when large bodies of troops are put
into the field
Certain other supplies, such as fuel.
forage, ETC., are purchased by author
ity of department commanders and
under their immediate direction at or
near the points where they are to be
consumed. For other expenditures
necessary to the maintenance and sup
port Of the army, provision is made
whereby authority for mourning in
debtedness is delegated by the secre-
tary of war to the quartermaster gem
eral, to department commanders and
to the commanding officers of the
posts.
With reference to the latter, General
Carter finds fault and expresses the
opinion that commanding generals and
chief quartermasters have been de-
prived of "all authority over army an
preparations" and states that the pres
ent system requires the most detailed
estimates and much correspondence
concerning every petty expenditure in
volving few cents" These state
ments are absurdly false, as facts will
show, and placed their author in an
attitude antagonistic to army regula-
lions.
BY law, authority for the expendi-
lures Of appropriations made for the
support of the army is vested in the
secretary of war.
lished In army regulations) delegated
to-
1st-The commanding generals of
the departments.
2nd-The quartermaster general.
Srd-The commanding officer of
post or independent command.
The extent of this authority to that
of the LIST. class is as follows:
The purchase of all fuel, forage and
mineral oil required by the troops
serving within the limit of his COM;
mands; the purchase up to 5000 of
any supplies needed and payable from
the appropriations. army transporta-
ton, incidental expenses and regular
supplies; an expenditure up to 5000 on
any building damaged through fire or
storm; an expenditure up to $500 for
the repair of any building in his de-
partment which authority is limited
only by the total annual allotment
made to his department for the repair
of buildings.
In addition to these authorizations
where expenditures are involved, the
department commander is vested with
final action on all estimates covering
certain supplies, such as clothing and
equipment, when the allowance is
fixed by regulations. 1t is such sup
plies as these which are stored in the
general depots above referred to sub
ject to requisition on these estimates.
To post commanders and command
Ing officers of independent commands,
the authority of the secretary of war
Is delegated, covering emergency en-
penditures when delay in securing
higher authority would result in loss
of government property or the delay
by inimical to the interests of the
service.
To the quartermaster general this
authority is extended on all special
estimates not covered by the fore
going when the expenditure involved
does not exceed $500.
With the provisions as above out
lined, and bearing in mind the intent
of congressional acts, it is possible for
the needs of the service to be prompt
ly met. Ii such is not the case, then