8 Instructions to Field Parties. 



Authorization to travel. — An authorization from the Chief of the 

 Bureau of Soils must l^e obtained before any travel is performed 

 for the Department, and written or telegraphic authorization must 

 be oljtained for all travel outside of an area or where unusual 

 expense or additional travel is necessary. 



Transportation. — Travel to and from areas should be performed 

 on transportation requests where the cost of travel amounts to 

 $3 or more. (See Fiscal Regulation No. 15.) West of the Mis- 

 sissippi River all travel should be performed on transportation 

 requests on bond-aided or land-grant railroads. Transportation 

 requests will be furnished on application to the chief clerk of the 

 Bureau. Applications for these requests should be made at least 

 one week before the travel is to be performed. In filling out 

 transportation requests, before presenting to ticket agent, be sure 

 to fill in all blanks upon the face of the request. The stub on end 

 of request is to be filled out when the request is issued and 

 returned at once to the Bureau of Soils. 



Freight and express.— When express charges are included in an 

 expense account, the original express receipt must be attached to 

 the subvoucher. Express charges to Washington, D. C, should 

 not be prepaid, but the shipments should be made "collect." 



When possible, shipments should be made by freight rather 

 than by express. Shipments by freight from points west of the 

 Mississippi River should be made according to Fiscal Regulation 

 No. 14. The property to be sent should be securely packed, and 

 notice should be given to the Chief of the Bureau, fully describ- 

 ing the property and giving the full name and address on the 

 package, with the name of the person in whose care the property 

 is stored. 



When it is necessary to i)ay excess-baggage cliarges, statement 

 should be made on the face of the subvoucher that the excess 

 consists of Government property, and the original receipt for the 

 money ])aid must accompany the expense account. 



Allowances for field parties.— While engaged in actual travel the 

 limits of expense should be governed l)y Fiscal Regulation No. 12. 

 AVhile in an area engaged in field work not more than $1.50 per 

 day per" man on an average is to be paid for subsistence; when 

 possible, cheaper rates should be secured. 



