B-154974, OCT. 29, 1964

B-154974, OCT. 29, 1964

TO MR. EARL E. LOOKER, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE:

THIS REFERS TO YOUR LETTER OF OCTOBER 14, 1964, REQUESTING RECONSIDERATION OF OUR DECISION OF SEPTEMBER 11, 1964, TO YOU, WHICH DISALLOWED YOUR CLAIM FOR ADDITIONAL TRAVEL EXPENSES ALLEGED TO BE DUE INCIDENT TO TRAVEL PERFORMED FROM NOUASSEUR, MOROCCO, TO LAKENHEATH, ENGLAND, AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE.

THE FACTS IN YOUR CASE ARE CONTAINED IN OUR DECISION OF SEPTEMBER 11, 1964, TO YOU, SETTING OUT IN DETAIL WHY YOU WERE NOT ENTITLED TO ANY ADDITIONAL MONIES AND NEED NOT BE FULLY REPEATED HERE. THE INFORMATION FURNISHED WITH YOUR LETTER OF OCTOBER 14 WAS PREVIOUSLY CONSIDERED BY US IN OUR DECISION OF SEPTEMBER 11 AND ADDS NO MATERIAL EVIDENCE TO THE CASE.

YOU SAY YOU ASKED THE AIR FORCE TRANSPORTATION OFFICER TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE NECESSARY TRAVEL VOUCHERS TO EXCHANGE FOR PASSAGE PERMITS AND YOU WERE INFORMED THAT IF YOU WOULD PAY ALL COSTS OF TRAVEL YOU WOULD BE REIMBURSED. IT MAY BE STATED THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CORRECT PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL TRAVEL AND PAYMENT OF ANY CHARGES INCURRED THROUGH FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE TERMS OF THE TRAVEL ORDER RESTS WITH THE EMPLOYEE TRAVELING, REGARDLESS OF WHO MAY HAVE ASSISTED HIM IN HIS TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS.

UNDER YOUR TRAVEL ORDER YOU WERE AUTHORIZED TO TRAVEL BY AUTOMOBILE, REIMBURSEMENT NOT TO EXCEED THE COST BY COMMON CARRIER. SINCE YOU ELECTED TO TRAVEL BY PRIVATELY-OWNED AUTOMOBILE AND WERE REIMBURSED EXPENSES PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF YOUR TRAVEL ORDER WE HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO SUSTAIN THE PRIOR ACTION TAKEN IN OUR DECISION OF SEPTEMBER 11, 1964, B- 154974, TO YOU, IN DISALLOWING YOUR CLAIM.