GENERAL CONDITION.

The tour of inspection began with a visit to the Eastern Branch and terminated with the examination of the site of the Mountain Branch. The duty imposed entailed an inspection of the entire plant-its financial departments; its supply departments, with their great amount and endless variety of property and stores; medical department; records and papers; its numerous buildings, from cellar to garret, and its constantly increasing population. This is my third annual tour of the institution, and the general appearance and condition was superior to any yet seen. The trust imposed upon the Board of Managers has been discharged with marked zeal and fidelity, and the success which has attended their efforts is fairly illustrated by the generally excellent condition of all the Branch Homes. A desire for economy in the administration of affairs pervades the entire institution, and excellent results have been obtained. The best method for the feeding, clothing, housing, and general care and contentment of this ever-increasing army of old and decrepit veterans is the matter that is kept constantly at the front. Increased interest and energy was observed at the several Branches, where the officers have shown commendable zeal and efficiency, and kindly consideration for the welfare of the nation's wards and a strict compliance with the laws and regulations seem to influence their efforts.

LEGISLATION.

The sundry civil act making appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1902, approved March 3, 1901, contains several provisions which may be of passing interest. One of these cedes jurisdiction, over the place purchased and used for the Northwestern Branch, in Milwaukee County, Wis., and also that of the Western Branch, in Leavenworth County, Kans., to the respective States in which the said Branches are located. Prior to the passage of this act jurisdiction was vested in the United States by virtue of the act of March 21, 1866, for the Northwestern Branch, and the act of July 5, 1888, in the case of the Western Branch.

Another provision permits the Board of Managers, in their discretion, to

designate and authorize an officer at each or any of the several Branches of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers to perform such duties in connection with the offices of the treasurer and quartermaster at any such Branch as they may direct, and in the necessary absence or inability of either of said officers from any cause whatever to have power to act in their places and perform all of the duties connected with the said respective offices.

This, it is believed, will prove a decided benefit in the administration of the fiscal affairs of the several Branches, as now, if the treasurer should be away on duty or sick, his accustomed duties can be performed by some other officer and the business proceed in the usual manner.

The audit of the accounts of the Home by the War Department, under the provisions of the acts of March 3, 1891, and March 3, 1893, and which duty was assigned to this Department by the Secretary of War under date of December 23, 1892, has been discontinued under the following provision in the sundry civil act above mentioned:

Provided, That the accounts relating to the expenditure of all public moneys appropriated for the support and maintenance of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers shall be audited by the Board of Managers of said Home in the

same manner as is provided for the accounts of the various departments of the United States Government, and thereupon immediately transmitted directly to the proper accounting officers of the Treasury Department for final audit and settlement.

This proviso will operate to deprive the Secretary of War, who is required by law to approve estimates and requisitions for funds, of information which was considered important for him to have. It is hoped that the change will not lead to extravagance. The old method was thought to give more protection to the Board of Managers, especially as regards expenditures. The hope is expressed that the changed system will produce such results as were anticipated or desired by the Board of Managers, as it has relieved this office of much labor, which was freely given so long as it proved a benefit to the Home. This Department has done what it could, when directed by superior authority, to advance the interest of this very worthy institution, and has aided in bringing about the excellent condition which prevails at the present time. Attention is invited to page 12 of report of last year, as to what is considered the value of the inspections of the Home, and the views therein expressed are repeated.

BRANCH OFFICERS.

The number of officers at some of the Branches seems to be inadequate. It is submitted that where Branches are approximately of equal size the best administration would be brought about by the same number of officers. The most satisfactory results are doubtless obtained in all administrative matters with the Branches having their full equipment of officers, so that every detail can have proper supervision by competent authority. The only Branch that would seem to require a deputy governor, which the law authorizes, is the Central, and it is believed that such an officer at this Branch would have an excellent effect, as it would relieve the governor of many of the details of office work and thus permit him to exercise a more general supervision over the affairs of the entire Branch.

PROMOTION OF OFFICERS.

In the appointment of the new governor at the Southern Branch an officer of long experience has been selected, which is very commendable and should have an excellent effect. If some system of promotion among the officers of all the Branches could be inaugurated, so that when a vacancy occurs it would be filled by the appointment of one of the subordinate officers, it would doubtless encourage all and cause them to feel that merit and a good record would meet with suitable recognition. The prevalence of such a feeling would, of course, tend to bring out the best that each was capable of. The adoption and observance of some uniform system of promotions would certainly have a stimulating effect on all the officers and cause them to contemplate with some degree of assurance a possible advancement in the future.

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS.

My recent tour has but strengthened the opinion formerly held in regard to this matter, which was briefly presented in my report of a year ago in the following language, which is now repeated:

The time is fast approaching when the rule that requires all of the officers to come from those who served in the war of 1861-1865 must be relaxed, as in the case of the surgeons at two of the Branches. Some of the administrative officers more recently appointed have passed the greater part of their lives in other pursuits and do not come as well equipped for their duties as men of more recent times. This results, in some cases at least, in their being largely dependent on their clerks, to whom they delegate too much responsibility and on whom they have to rely too much.

UNIFORM METHODS.

During the past year the governor of the Western Branch visited under orders several of the other Branches, with beneficial results. Similar visits by other governors at convenient times to several Branches would doubtless have a good effect and be the means of bringing about more uniformity in the methods of administration. These visits need not be too frequent or extend too long, and it is believed that the benefits that would follow would be more than sufficient to offset the time lost or money expended in making them.

The system and methods inaugurated at the central office with a view of bringing about more uniformity in the administration of each Branch with reference to the Home is producing its expected results. Now, instead of each Branch being independent and separate from every other, it is one of the whole, bringing corresponding uniformity, often economy, and generally satisfactory results. Efforts are being made at the central office to develop this principle still further, and it is believed that such efforts will be crowned with success, and that a general uniform method will be accomplished in the Home and all its Branches.

The new regulations adopted by the Board of Managers seem to be quite thorough and comprehensive. They will doubtless serve a useful purpose and prove an important and valuable adjunct in the administration of the affairs of the Home. The urgent need of something of the kind had been apparent for a long time, and consequently they are very much appreciated.

COMPETITION AMONG COMPANIES.

The competition of the companies at some of the Branches, noted in the report of last year, has been further developed at two or three of the Branches. This is especially noticeable at the Marion Branch, where the governor reports that most excellent results have followed its inauguration. It is believed that the creation of a healthy rivalry among the members can be brought about by such means, and the inculcation of such a feeling would doubtless add zest and interest to their life and surroundings. It is observed that at many of the Branches the older members seek solitude and apparently brood over their disappointments in life. The tendency to such habits should be resisted, and every effort should be made to remove the men from their individuality as much as possible. They should be encouraged to think that they are members of organizations at the different Branches. Doubtless this would have a beneficial effect in preventing the mental alienation of some of the members.

PUNISHMENTS.

The different methods at the several Branches of punishing offenders are quite noticeable, the discretion of the governor being the determining factor. Generally it seems that no matter how many years a

member has been in the Branch every offense which he has committed is considered against him. It is observed in many cases that a member might have had no offense within the past one or two years, yet in fixing a penalty offenses committed five or even twenty years prior were taken into consideration. Some general rule of elimination of offenses should be adopted. In the United States Army offenses committed a year or more prior to the trial of the offender can not be considered, thus fixing the limitation at one year. If some similar rule could be adopted in the Home it would doubtless encourage many men to work for a good record, and thereby improve the general tone of the discipline.

BEER CHECKS.

There is undoubtedly a considerable loss of revenue at nearly all the Branches from the defective methods in use for the destruction of the beer checks. In almost no case does any officer personally superintend their destruction. In some cases it is delegated to a subordinate employee, and at only one Branch were the checks kept under lock and key while in transit from the beer hall to the treasurer's office or place of destruction. Generally they are taken in unsealed packages to a considerable distance, and the method of superintending their destruction is very defective. It is noticeable that with the same size of beer glass in some instances as much as $2 a barrel is received in excess over that at another Branch. A large money value is represented in these checks, and some uniform and safe method for their destruction should be adopted and rigidly enforced, so as to prevent any loss of

revenue.

CLOTHING.

Since the time limit for the use of clothing has been removed and the secondhand clothing has been freely issued much badly worn and soiled clothing is observed. At the Central Branch especially a large amount of clothing of this character is in daily use, which has a demoralizing effect on the pride of the men who wear it. It would seem to be in the interest of economy, as well as that of cleanliness, to limit the use of such clothing to working parties under the chief engineer, head gardener, and others having laboring work to be done, requiring receipts if considered necessary, thereby enabling the member to reserve the good clothing for its proper use. Such badly soiled clothing, when Suitable for condemnation, has only the value of rags.

FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

During the past year the fire departments at the several Branches have received considerable attention from the central office, and decided interest and activity have been shown in the matter of efficient organization and complete fire apparatus. Additional equipment has been provided and some general uniformity established, both as to equipment and management. It is believed that the fire departments are now in the best condition that has been seen. A thorough inspection and test developed the fact that, with one exception, these departments were generally efficient and satisfactory.

SIZE OF BRANCHES.

A considerable difference in the administrative methods in use at the several Branches was observed, and it is thought that this is largely due to the size of the Branch. At the largest, the Central Branch, the governor is so much occupied in his office that it is difficult for him to obtain anything like close supervision of the outdoor affairs, and it is quite apparent that thorough and comprehensive supervision over all matters is more easily accomplished at those Branches having a smaller membership. For the purpose of maintaining thorough administration and personal supervision and contact with the affairs of the Branch by its governor, it is believed that no Branch should have more than 2,500 members present. It would seem best, therefore, that the membership of the new Mountain Branch should under no circumstances exceed this number, which is quite ample for all purposes and not so large as to be unwieldy.

PAPER WORK.

The amount of paper work at the several Branches is very large, and is believed to be in excess of what is necessary and desirable for the proper transaction of the business. The governor, especially, has too much of his time taken up in signing his name, to the detriment of other important and exacting details. This subject is doubtless of sufficient importance to require the attention and consideration of the authorities of the Home, with a view of taking some steps to keep the amount of paper work at a minimum.

CLERICAL FORCE.

A great deal of clerical labor is of necessity required at the central office in order to properly transact the business of such a vast institution, and the number of clerks now authorized is hardly sufficient to adequately meet the requirements of the situation. The money and property accountability is large, and the best interests of the public service would doubtless be subserved by an increased number of clerks, so that proper supervision may be had at all times.

CHIEF SURGEON.

Perhaps there is no question of greater importance pressing for consideration in this institution than that of adequate medical attention and supervision for the sick. The inmates of the Home are getting old and decrepit, and as the years increase bodily ills become more pronounced, so that the matter of doctors, medicine, and medical attendants is of paramount importance. The membership of the Home is constantly increasing, the total number cared for during the past year being almost 32,000, and 26,438 members were given medical treatment. With each succeeding year the fact becomes more and more apparent that in the near future each Branch will become practically a large hospital for the care of the old soldiers. This is a condition that will require a specific remedy. In my report of a year ago I spoke of the need of a medical director or chief surgeon. That there should be some central medical authority, who should have supervision