B-134070, OCT. 25, 1957

B-134070, OCT. 25, 1957

TO MR. ALBIN C. HAMMOND:

IN YOUR LETTER OF OCTOBER 1, 1957, YOU REQUEST RECONSIDERATION OF OUR OFFICE SETTLEMENT DATED SEPTEMBER 18, 1957, WHICH DISALLOWED YOUR CLAIM FOR MILEAGE FOR USE OF YOUR PRIVATELY OWNED AUTOMOBILE BETWEEN YOUR RESIDENCE AND A LAUNDERETTE AND REIMBURSEMENT OF THE LAUNDRY CHARGES INCURRED BY YOU AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE WELL WHICH SUPPLIED WATER TO THE GOVERNMENT-OWNED HOUSING OCCUPIED BY YOU AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOREST SERVICE.

YOUR CLAIM WAS DISALLOWED BECAUSE IT WAS ADMINISTRATIVELY REPORTED THAT YOU FAILED TO UTILIZE GOVERNMENT TRANSPORTED WATER WHICH WAS AVAILABLE FOR DELIVERY TO YOUR HOME IN ANY AMOUNT REQUIRED. IN YOUR REQUEST FOR REVIEW, YOU CONTEND THAT FULL CONSIDERATION HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN TO THE ,DIFFICULTY IN MANUALLY FILLING AND OPERATING AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE.' YOU SAY THAT THE NECESSITY FOR SUPPLYING THE MACHINE WITH WATER THROUGH PIPES PRECLUDES MANUAL OPERATION OF THE MACHINE. APPARENTLY YOU FEEL THAT IT WAS INCUMBENT UPON THE GOVERNMENT TO SUPPLY THE WATER TO YOU IN A MANNER ADAPTABLE TO ANY WATER-USING APPLIANCES YOU MIGHT POSSESS.

IT APPEARS THAT AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF WATER HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU AND THAT THE WATER OFFERED HAS NOT BEEN SHOWN TO BE UNSUITED FOR ORDINARY HOUSEHOLD PURPOSES. ALSO, UNDER SECTION 1.2 OF THE STANDARDIZED GOVERNMENT TRAVEL REGULATIONS REIMBURSABLE TRAVEL EXPENSES ARE CONFINED TO THOSE EXPENSES ESSENTIAL TO THE TRANSACTING OF OFFICIAL BUSINESS.

IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES WE HOLD THAT APPROPRIATED FUNDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE COSTS INCURRED INCIDENT TO THE LAUNDERETTE SERVICES. SEE GENERALLY 18 COMP. GEN. 238, AND 24 ID. 56, CONCERNING THE USE OF APPROPRIATED FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF WATER FOR DRINKING PURPOSES.