APPENDIX A. SUBREPORTS CONCERNING THE SEVERAL BRANCH HOMES. No. 1.-REPORT OF AN INSPECTION OF THE EASTERN BRANCH, MADE AUGUST 9 TO 14, 1901. Post-office. Local manager. Officers. National Home, Togus, Me. Gen. John Marshall Brown, Portland, Me., whose term as a member of the Board of Managers expires in 1902. Governor, Col. S. H. Allen; treasurer, Maj. A. L. Smith; surgeon, Maj. W. E. Elwell; quartermaster and commissary of subsistence, Capt. S. J. Gallagher. These officers have continued on duty since date of last inspection, and they impressed me favorably. The general satisfactory appearance of the entire Branch evidences the energy and the efficiency exercised by them in the performance of their respective duties. Major Smith, the treasurer, is one of a small number of Branch treasurers of long service who remain; he is a valuable officer and has discharged his duties in a very satisfactory manner. Reservation. The purchase of additional land, which was last year reported as then pending, has been consummated. A description somewhat in detail as to the location and character of this additional land was given in last year's report. It consists of 130 acres in two lots of 85 and 45 acres, respectively. The price paid is reported to have been about $26.90 per acre, or $3,500. The larger lot adjoins the original reservation on the southwest, south of the Hallowell road, and was desired for the wood on it and for cultivation and pasturage. The smaller lot adjoins the reservation on the north, east of the Augusta road, and its acquisition by the Home will enable the authorities to clear it of "speak easies" and "dives" and give greater protection to the near approach of similar objectionable influences, which were being established closer and closer to the Home. This reservation is now symmetrical, and, with the recent additions, it contains 1,884 acres and is larger by far than any of the other Branches, being about three times greater than its closest competitor in this respect. A new electric line has been completed from Augusta Railway facilities. to the Home, cars running every half hour and making the trip in about twenty minutes. Formerly to reach the Home from Augusta a railroad journey of some 12 miles was required, first going down to Randolph and then on the Branch road from that point up to Togus. The new electric line is much shorter and quicker, and proves a great convenience, and every afternoon brings large crowds from Augusta, who greatly enjoy the openair concert given by the Home band. The music is of a fine order, the band being among the best of any of the Branches. provements. This Branch presented a very attractive appearance Buildings and im- with its several new improvements, such as new amusement hall, summer barrack, and ice house, and newly painted buildings. The roads and grounds were in good condition. The nurses' quarters have been enlarged, there being an addition of 6 rooms, consisting of kitchen, laundry, and 4 bedrooms; they are in good condition, and the additions add to the comfort and contentment of the nurses. In former reports many old and unsanitary closets have been reported, and it is gratifying to now state that many of these have been improved and the locations changed, which is a decided benefit to the sanitary condition of the barracks. A few of these objectionable closets still remain, however, and should be improved with as little delay as possible. The stables and cow barns have been refloored and relined; they are now comfortable for the animals, and have a very clean appearance. Two old sheds which were formerly used for stables are practically unused, are unsightly and of no use, and should be destroyed. Two new boilers have been placed in convenient position for heating the hospital. It is stated that this results in a considerable saving of coal, as the steam does not now have to be sent from the central plant, and it is regarded as a very satisfactory arrangement. New toilet rooms, with all new plumbing and fixtures, have been put in seven of the barracks, and new rooms for company commanders have been added in four barracks. The interior of five barracks-walls, ceilings, and woodwork-have been painted, as well as the quarters of the kitchen helpers, bakers, and employees of the mess hall. In addition, there has been considerable painting and repapering in officers' quarters done here since my last visit, which has added to the general comfort and convenience of all concerned. It is reported that these and various other minor repairs and improvements have been made at a cost of $12,882.86. General complaint was made as to the number of bedbugs; but this was explained as due to the fact that for two or three months no exterminator had been supplied. The former kind, composed of kerosene oil and benzine, was considered dangerous on account of its inflammable character, and therefore a new kind was adopted. With the addition of the summer barracks it is now possible to vacate the other barracks in order, one company at a time, and fumigate the unoccupied barrack. This, it is believed, will enable the authorities to conduct a more successful campaign against these pests. If it should be decided to have a barrack for old men similar to the one reported last year at the Northwestern Branch, the barrack now occupied by Company F is well located for the purpose and could be prepared at moderate expense. Needs. The conservatory at this Branch is old and is too small; the walls are supported by piling and there are signs of settling. A new conservatory of sufficient size is much desired. A quantity of turpentine and oil as well as several old overalls were observed in a box in the paint shop. The probabilities of fire are thus greatly increased, and a small, inexpensive house should be built at a safe distance for the storage of oil and turpentine. This is done at several of the other Branches. Although the new barracks have given some relief to the former overcrowded condition, this Home is still much crowded, and an additional barrack will probably be found necessary. New toilet rooms should be provided for barracks I, L, and M, as well as for the brick hospital and the old wooden annex. Drainage. The usual excess of water in the spring of the year was again encountered this year, but the enlarging of the outlet by a widening of the channel of the Greely Pond stream and increasing the width of the bridge across it on the Rockland road prevented damage, by allowing the water to drain off more fully than formerly. The margin of safety, however, was small, as the water rose to within 2 inches of the fires to heat the boilers for the new barracks. Population. The number of men from the Spanish war continues very small. At one time this number reached 19, but at time of inspection there were only 14, the others having been discharged after being recuperated. Frequent medical examinations are made of these men, and if found to have recovered from temporary disability they are then discharged. The number of officers and members reported present and absent on June 30, 1901, was 1,954 and 808, respectively, or a total of 2,762, which is an increase of 44 as compared with the preceding year. The average present and absent during the year was 2,754, of which 2,192 was the average present and 562 the average absent. As compared with the preceding year this is an increase of 56 members, of whom 34 were present and 22 absent. On August 9, 1901, the date of the inspection, the officers and members present and absent footed up 2,799, and of this number 2,188 were present and 611 absent. The highest number present during the past fiscal year is reported as 2,345 on February 14, and the lowest number as 1,943 on July 2. The largest number of absentees is reported as 809 on June 29, and the lowest as 426 on February 27. There was an average of 4 temporarily cared for, and the total number of members cared for during the year was 3,179. The average age of members is 60.99 years. A review of the members was held on August 11, 1901. This was participated in by 4 officers and 1,076 members and a civilian band of 23 pieces, or an aggregate of 1,103. The number of veterans in line was larger by 176 than at the review a year ago. The ceremony was very creditably performed, and the old veterans generally presented an attractive and imposing appearance. There were, in addition, 420 members in the convalescent formation, who were also inspected. The Home officers did not march with the men. Of those who were present at the Home and not in the review, footing up a total of 685 members, 336 were sick, 289 were on extra and other duty, 53 were excused, and 7 were absent for other causes. Discipline. Two thousand six hundred and ninety-four members, or 84.74 per cent of the whole number, are reported as having committed no offenses during the year. This is a very satisfactory showing, and indicates an improvement in this respect as compared with the preceding year. The principal offenses are drunkenness and absence without leave, and the punishments consist of extra labor without pay ranging from twenty to ninety days. The total number of trials is reported as 768, and of these 361 were for drunkenness, 181 for absence without leave, and 226 for other offenses. The total number of members reported tried and punished was 485, and there were 107 members tried twice and 64 more than twice. There were no members in confinement at date of inspection. The guardhouse is located near the railroad depot and was found in good condition. Good behavior entitles members to passes, which are freely granted; the red pass is good from 6 a. m. to 6 p. m., and the white pass is good for from one to nine days. Amusement. One of the most noticeable improvements during the past year is the new amusement hall. This has been made at a moderate cost by building a front to the former club house, so that the two buildings are now under the same roof. The amusement hall is abundantly large, well lighted and well furnished, and well equipped with billiard, pool, and card tables. It is very generally used by the men, being well filled, if not crowded. The usual facilities for amusement, consisting of library, band, theater, boating, and billiard, pool, and card tables, are found at this Branch. There are also organizations of the Grand Army of the Republic, Union Veteran Union, and Togus Christian Temperance Union for amusement or instruction. In the library there are 9,349 volumes and 191 papers, and of the latter 96 are subscribed for and 95 are furnished free. There are also 29 periodicals. The class of reading matter in greatest demand among the members is said to be fiction, and the average daily attendance in the reading room is reported as 700. The books read or circulated during the year reached the uprecedented number of 40,177. The library was found in good condition and conveniently located. At date of inspection there were 23 musicians in the band, all of whom were civilians. There are two band stands-one near the hospital and one between the theater and the mess hall. Classical, popular, and patriotic music is dispensed by band and national airs and music by American composers are played at every concert. During the year the band gave 303 concerts, of which 178 were indoors and 125 outdoors. These concerts are popular with the members and well attended. The leader of the band is paid $100 per month and the civilian members receive an average monthly compensation of $25.71. Members of the band are furnished with quarters and receive the same clothing, fuel, and ration allowance as members of the Home. The total cost of the band during the year, including subsistence and other allowances, was $9,217.58. The theater has a seating capacity of 1,100, and during the year a total of 46 performances, at a cost of $7,995, were given. The talent was the best procurable and the repertoire included comedy, melodrama, tragedy, etc. These performances were well attended. They are free for members of the Home, while for others an admission fee of 15 cents is charged, the receipts from which source amounted to $1,356.09. The theater is also used for lectures and for band concerts during the winter. There are 3 billiard and 5 pool tables, which were in good condition, and are reported to be constantly in use. There are 19 tables for the playing of games with cards, dominoes, and checkers, and the facilities appear to be ample for all those who desire to indulge in these and other similar games. The pews to replace the old settees in the Catholic Religious service. part of the chapel, and which were referred to in my report of last year, have not yet been put in, but I was informed that they soon would be, as they had been ordered. Some delay occurred by the bids exceeding the first estimate of cost. The second bids were satisfactory, and the pews were ordered. Protestant and Catholic services are held in this chapel, the former every Sunday and the latter about seventy-five times during the past year. The chapel has a capacity of 400 members and is said to be suitable. The services are reported well attended, the average ranging between 300 and 400. Farm. The number of acres under cultivation is reported as about 520-500 in the farm, used principally for hay, and 20 in the garden. The following buildings are used for farm purposes, viz, 3 stables for horses, 3 cow barns, 1 hay barn, 1 carriage barn connected with stable, 1 shed for carts, 1 tool house, and 3 small buildings for quarters of teamsters and milkers, making a total of 13 buildings. There are some 40 public vehicles, such as carts, wagons, etc., used for various work about the farm. The herd consists of 69 animals, and the yield of milk during the year was reported as 44,167 gallons. Milk in the nearest town was quoted at 20 cents per gallon, so that this quantity of milk, if purchased, would have cost the Home $8,833.40, which is quite a respectable item. The herd continues in its usual state of excellence. It is indeed an unusually fine herd. The value of the farm stock on hand June 30, 1901, is reported as $7,285. The average number of employees on the farm was 29, all of whom were members except three. There was also an average of 8 persons employed in teaming. The following is the value of farm products reported during the year: Turned into commissary (milk and vegetables). Cattle sold... Total..... Cost of maintenance of farm proper.. Cost of maintenance of lawn and flower garden... Disbursements. $9,440. 80 2,882.00 1,515. 54 13, 838. 34 8,970.00 1,510.50 The accounts and disbursements were examined from the date of last inspection, July 21, 1900, to August 6, 1901, inclusive, and the transactions may be sum |