OCTOBER 3, 1922, 2 COMP. GEN. 258

OCTOBER 3, 1922, 2 COMP. GEN. 258

PERSONAL FURNISHINGS - EMPLOYEES OF CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION ARTICLES OF PERSONAL EQUIPMENT OR FURNISHINGS FOR THE PROTECTION, BENEFIT, COMFORT, OR CONVENIENCE OF EMPLOYEES IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES, SUCH AS SUITS, OVERCOATS, RAINCOATS, BOOTS, AND GLOVES, FOR CHAUFFEURS OPERATING GOVERNMENT AUTOMOBILES, TRUCKS, OR MOTOR CYCLES, MAY NOT, IN THE ABSENCE OF SPECIFIC AUTHORITY OF LAW THEREFOR, BE FURNISHED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE UNITED STATES.

COMPTROLLER GENERAL MCCARL TO THE PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, OCTOBER 3, 1922:

I HAVE YOUR LETTER OF SEPTEMBER 23, 1922, REQUESTING DECISION WHETHER THE APPROPRIATION MADE IN THE ACT OF FEBRUARY 17, 1922, 42 STAT., 368, FOR CONTINGENT EXPENSES, CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, AND WHICH PROVIDES FOR "PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR OF MOTOR TRUCKS, MOTOR CYCLES, AND BICYCLES; MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF A MOTOR-PROPELLED PASSENGER-CARRYING VEHICLE TO BE USED ONLY FOR OFFICIAL PURPOSES," MAY BE USED TO PURCHASE A CHAUFFEUR'S SUIT, OVERCOAT, AND GLOVES, TO BE WORN BY THE DRIVER OF THE PASSENGER VEHICLE, AND SHEEPSKIN-LINED STORM COATS, SLICKER RAINCOATS, BOOTS, AND GLOVES FOR THE CHAUFFEURS OPERATING THE TRUCKS AND MOTOR CYCLES.

THE ARTICLES REFERRED TO MUST BE REGARDED AS FOR THE PROTECTION, BENEFIT, COMFORT, OR CONVENIENCE OF THE OPERATORS OF THE VEHICLES RATHER THAN AS NECESSARY OR INCIDENT TO THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF THE VEHICLES. OTHER WORDS, THEY ARE ARTICLES OF PERSONAL EQUIPMENT OR FURNISHINGS WHICH, IN THE ABSENCE OF SPECIFIC AUTHORITY OF LAW THEREFOR, CAN NOT BE FURNISHED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE UNITED STATES. SEE 10 COMP. DEC., 134; 12 ID., 616; 17 ID., 508; 20 ID., 306; 24 ID., 44.