12 Instructions to Field Parties. 



longer time than this has to be spent in one locaUty or else a camp 

 outfit be provided. The Fiscal Regulation Xo. 12 of the Depart- 

 ment provides that l)oard and lodging can only be paid for a 

 period not to exceed thirty days in any one locality, and this regu- 

 lation holds against the field assistants in this Bureau, except that 

 where suitable accommodations can not be obtained and camp out- 

 fits are not provided, the Secretary of Agriculture (in letter of au- 

 thorization No. 74) has empowered the Chief of the Bureau to 

 grant an extension of time in which board and lodging will be al- 

 lowed in any one locality to sixty days, or to any shorter term 

 within his discretion. 



When from any cause it is considered necessary or advisable to 

 remain in one place for a period exceeding thirty days, the Chief of 

 the Bureau must be notified and satisfactory reasons given him why 

 the party should remain longer than thirty days, and if in his judg- 

 ment the reasons are sufficient, the length of time will be extended 

 and the disbursing office notified of the fact, so that the accounts 

 will be passed in that office. Such action must be taken specifically 

 for each case, and the request for an extension of time must be 

 mailed a sufficient length of time in advance to allow of action being 

 taken. Otherwise in no case will the board and lodging be allowed 

 in any one locality for a period exceeding thirty days. 



Accidents to parties. — The following general instructions are issued 

 for the guidance of field men of the Bureau of Soils, in the event of 

 possible accidents to teams or vehicles that may be hired ])y them 

 for official use in the field. 



Should an accident occur which results in any damage to a horse 

 or vehicle under your care, and if such accident is due to carelessness 

 or fault on your part, or that of your assistants, it will be considered 

 a personal responsibility of your own, and you will be expected 

 to make the necessary settlement with the owner. The settlement 

 will devolve upon you in the event of the accident being due to 

 fast or reckless driving, excessive use, or in any other case in which 

 you can not show that proper judgment and care and rcasonal^le 

 precautions have been used. 



If an accident should l)e due to causes for which you are not 

 responsible it might constitute a claim against the (.lovernment, and 

 if such claim was approved by the Department, the matter Avould 

 be referred toCongress foranap]>ropriiition to reiinl)urse the owner. 



