I04 THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



then transmitted to the Treasury Department for final 

 settlement, as required by law.^^ 



Not all of the funds appropriated for and expended by 

 the Department of Agriculture are disbursed by the Chief 

 of the Division of Accounts and Disbursements. In those 

 outlying places where the delay or expense incident to send- 

 ing accounts to Washington for payment would hamper the 

 conduct of government business, special disbursing agents, 

 having ver>' limited jurisdiction, are appointed by the Secre- 

 tary of Agriculture to make disbursements. Funds for the 

 purpose are warranted to these officers, on requisition 

 signed by the Secretary, just as in the case of disbursing 

 clerks. These special agents are thus not only authorized 

 to incur expenses, as are other officers to whom the usual 

 letter of authorization is issued, but may also disburse public 

 funds to meet these expenses. While this special authority 

 is conferred directly by the Secretary, the agents are subor- 

 dinate officers of the bureau or bureaus to which their work 

 is administratively related. Paid accounts are transmitted 

 to the bureau for reexamination and record, and are then 

 forwarded to the Treasury through the usual channels. An 

 acceptable surety bond is required from each special dis- 

 bursing agent. 



Federal funds appropriated for expenditure in coopera- 

 tion with state agencies are paid by the Treasury Depart- 

 ment, upon requisition or warrant of the Secretary of 

 Agriculture, to the state treasurer, or to such other officer 

 as may be designated by state law under each cooperative 

 act, to receive such funds. This officer is required to 

 render to the Secretary of Agriculture a detailed statement 

 of the funds received and of their disbursement on forms 

 prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture.'* These state- 

 ments constitute the basis for special reports to Congress 

 as required by the various acts to which they may relate. 



There is a general provision of law'° requiring that each 



"26 Stat. L. 371, 



i« 34 Stat. L. 63 ; 37 Stat. L. 297. 



*5 Rev. Stat. sec. 193; IQ Stat. L. 306. 



