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The balance to the credit of the general fund was on deposit in the Nationel Shawmut Bank, Boston, Mass., and those of the pension and posts funds were in the Granite National Bank, Augusta, Me. There was no cash on hand.

General fund.

The receipts during the past year on account of this fund were $294,590.21, as follows: By transfer, $277,706.50, and from sales and other sources, $16,883.71. The expenditures amounted to $281,180.50, almost one-half of which was for subsistence. All expenditures were disbursed by check. The receipts and disbursements under the posthumous account were $3.916.38 and $2,410.15, respectively.

Purchases are generally made by contract, though there were 68 open-market purchases, amounting to $2,384.60, mostly for vegetables. The principal articles bought by contract during the last quarter of the past fiscal year were obtained from dealers in Maine, Massachusetts, and New York, the first-named State having the major portion of the patronage.

The number of employees under this fund authorized during the year was 443, and the average daily number employed was 434, consisting of 4 officers, 19 noncommissioned officers, 375 members, and 36 civilians. The compensation paid them was $79,170.99, which was less than 20 per cent of the disbursements, and averaged $182.42 per employee. As compared with the preceding year there was a decrease of 13 in the average number of employees. The average daily pay was reported as follows, viz: Officers, $6.15; civilians, $1.67; noncommissioned officers, $0.77%, and members, $0.414.

Post fund

The revenue under this fund is derived from sales at the beer hall and home store. The amount received from the sale of beer was $40,068, representing the sale of 68,321 gallons, which cost $12,592.58, thus giving a gross profit from this source alone of some $28,000. The receipts derived from the sales at the Home store were $17,792. There were also revenues under this fund from the hotel, from transportation and tickets at the theater, and the total receipts from all sources were $74,442.92. The profits of this fund give employment to 86 men-52 members and 34 civilians and pay for amusements, improvements, and such other objects for the benefit of the members as are not provided for in Congressional appropriations.

The largest single item of expense is that for the hire of clerks and other help, which amounted to $14,763.01. A little more than onehalf of this amount was used in compensation for the civilian employees, whose average daily pay was $0.83, and the balance went to the members employed at a daily average rate of $0.37. A cash register is used in the Home store, which gives entire satisfaction, and a system of checks is used at the beer hall.

The post-fund vouchers for the quarter ending June 30, 1901, amounting to $20,048.17, were not at the Branch at date of inspection, and could not therefore be inspected. The general treasurer was informed of this fact and requested to have the vouchers pertaining to the other Branches returned to the Branch treasurers prior to my inspection, which was cheerfully done by him.

Pension fund.

The disbursements on account of this fund during the past year were $301,051.18, and there was a balance of $4,124.81 due pensioners. The number of pensioners was 2,542, which is about 92 per cent of the total member

ship of the Branch. The rates of pension range from $6 to $45 per month. The minimum rate of $6 is drawn by 583 members, and this, together with those drawing $8, $10, and $12 per month, foots up a total of 2,420 members, or about 95 per cent of the total number of pensioners. Of those getting higher rates there are 42 at $14, 19 at $16, 29 at $17, 8 at $24, with smaller numbers at intermediate rates, and but one at the maximum rate of $45 per month.

Supplies.

Inventories are taken monthly and annually. Upon the receipt of property and after inspection and acceptance, it is taken up on the property book, and issued on properly certified requisitions, which are filed as vouchers. Unserviceable property is submitted to the inspector-general National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers and disposed of under his direction. It is also sold by the authority of the president of the Board of Managers. The value of quartermaster property condemned during the year was $39,538.42, and $1,563.97 was received from the sale of such property. The invoice value of property received during the year

was

From general depot
By purchase
By transfer

Total....

$22, 973.52 5,529.66 385.44

28, 888.62

Storage facilities seem to be somewhat scattered. There are two storehouses, one of which is used for dry lumber and the other for worn-out clothing, bedding, and furniture. The storehouses were in fairly good condition. Quartermaster supplies are also stored in several other places. Subsistence supplies are stored in the basements of the general mess hall and the noncommissioned officers' mess hall, and under one of the company barracks. The medical supplies are stored in the quartermaster storehouse. The storage facilities are not con sidered satisfactory.

Clothing.

The clothing was generally good-the vests better than formerly. The quality of the new campaign hat is again complained of; after getting wet it generally loses its shape. The value of clothing received, issued, and inspected and condemned, during the year was as follows:

Received from depot
Received from other places

Issued....

Inspected and condemned

$20, 843. 38 385.44 22, 280. 01

30, 303.92

When clothing is worn out it is exchanged at the regular weekly issue for either new or second-hand clothing that has been renovated or repaired. The life of clothing is said to be as follows, viz: Shirts and drawers, six months; socks, three months; other articles about one year, except dress and great coats, which are worn much longer. There is no allowance table, and clothing is worn until worn out. Renovated articles are those turned in by members discharged and those on furlough for over three months, which are repaired and reissued.

Laundry.

The laundry is of ample capacity, in very good condition, and suitably located. There are 13 men employed in the following capacities, viz: Three men on mangles, 4 folders, 2 washers, 1 hand ironer, 2 men on wringers, and 1 foreman. There is an average of over 60,000 pieces laundered per

month, and the amount expended during the year for laundry work on labor and material was $2,120.

Decided interest has been taken at the central office Fire department. to get the fire apparatus at the several Branches in good condition. Due importance is attached to it, and it is understood that two chemical engines and a sufficient number of improved fire extinguishers are to be supplied. The old-pattern fire extinguishers now in use were tested. Eight were taken at random from the barracks, and 4 of these could not be worked. It is hoped the present effort of the central office will result in an efficient fire department at each Branch. There is a regularly organized fire company of 17 men. In addition there was an auxiliary force appointed from the occupants of the various buildings of from 4 to 8 men each. There were no fires during the year.

ment.

At times the supply of water has been deficient, Engineer depart which resulted in much inconvenience, and, in case of fire, might have proved disastrous. It is understood that this condition will be remedied, the water company having agreed to erect a standpipe of sufficient size and properly located. Preliminary steps, such as the selection of the position of the standpipe, were made while I was present at the Home. There are seven shops, and a change is being inaugurated by the consolidation of four of the shops, which have been doing repair work, into one general repair shop. This should bring about a better administration in the repair work, and it is understood that it was considered necessary on account of the increasing age and infirmities of the now already old men. Doubtless within a very few years civilians will have to be employed to do much of the work now performed by the members, many of whom are of an advanced age.

The chief engineer, Mr. E. E. Lewis, is an excellent man, upon whom are placed many and important duties. The number of men employed in this department was 43, consisting of 14 carpenters, 13 laborers, 5 steam fitters, 4 painters, 2 plumbers, 2 masons, 1 blacksmith, 1 tinsmith, and 1 whitewasher. In addition there were 10 temporary laborers employed for seven months and 6 temporary painters during eight months.

The steam plant consists of 11 large boilers. Six of these are 75 horsepower, located in the power house, and are used to furnish heat and power for various purposes. The other large boilers are located as follows, viz: Two in the hospital boiler house, 1 in the opera house, and 2 in barracks. There are in addition 8 small boilers in the quarters and barracks. The steam plant was maintained during the past fiscal year at an expense of $26,944.

Light is furnished by the Kennebec Light and Heat Company, and cost during the year $6,891, which fed 9 arc and 2,301 incandescent lights.

ment.

The old objectionable swill tank, frequently reported Commissary depart- adversely in former reports, has been replaced by one similar to those used in the other Branches, which is a decided improvement from a sanitary point of view. There were no complaints concerning the quantity or quality of the food, which appeared to be ample and well cooked. The dining hall and kitchen were both in excellent condition. The dining hall will seat 1,257 men, and tables are set twice for each meal. It is frequently inspected by the surgeon and other home officers.

The bill of fare for a week was as follows:

Bill of fare for the week ending June 30, 1901.

Sunday.

Breakfast: Baked beans, brown bread, bread, butter, coffee.

Dinner: Beef fricassee, potatoes, succotash, apple pie, cheese, bread, butter, coffee. Supper: Prune sauce, bread, butter, sirup, tea.

Monday.

Breakfast: Mackerel, potatoes, bread, butter, coffee.

Dinner: Boiled ham, potatoes, lima beans, bread, butter, coffee.
Supper: Boiled rice, bread, butter, sirup, tea.

Tuesday.

Breakfast: Meat hash, corn cake, bread, butter, coffee.

Dinner: Corned beef, potatoes, beets, bread, butter, coffee.
Supper: Apple sauce, bread, butter, sirup, tea.

Wednesday.

Breakfast: Baked beans, graham bread, bread, butter, coffee.
Dinner: Mutton stew, crackers, pickles, bread, butter, coffee.
Supper: Biscuits, cheese, bread, butter, sirup, tea.

Thursday.

Breakfast: Meat hash, bread, butter, coffee.

Dinner: Roast veal, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, bread, butter, coffee.
Supper: Corn meal, bread, butter, sirup, tea. ·

Friday.

Breakfast: Codfish and cream, potatoes, bread, butter, coffee.
Dinner: Fresh fish, potatoes, pudding, bread, butter, coffee.
Supper: Tomato sauce, bread, butter, sirup, tea.

Saturday.

Breakfast: Bacon, potatoes, bread, butter, coffee.

Dinner: Beef soup, crackers, pickles, bread, butter, coffee.
Supper: Rolled oats, bread, butter, sirup, tea.

The closets in the bakery were infested with roaches.

Medical depart

ment

The flour on hand at time of inspection was not satisfactory in quality. The hospital at this Branch has a static machine with an X-ray attachment. It is large, well equipped, and of a recent make. The authorities are to be congratulated on the acquisition of this useful instrument, which is a valuable addition to the hospital equipment and has already proved to be very useful. The hospital is excellently managed and was found in fine condition. Exception should be made, however, of the old building which now accommodates the blind and insane ward, where the bath tubs and closets in use are old, unsanitary, and unsightly, the foul air coming into the wards. More ventilation should be supplied, as well as modern plumbing. The books were found complete, with the exception of a few "letters sent," which were not indexed.

Bathing facilities are provided by a bath tub, with hot and cold water, in each ward. There are 23 patients to each tub, and patients are required to bathe once each week unless otherwise ordered by the surgeon; some are bathed daily.

The average daily number of sick reported for the year was 359 in the hospital, 364 in convalescent companies, and 388 in barracks or sick call, or a total of 1,111, which gives a constant sick rate of about 40 per cent of the average present and absent. The total number of patients treated during the year was 2,809, and the average number of days each was treated was 36. There were 174 deaths during the year, all of which occurred in the hospital except 30, and of these latter 27 died outside the reservation and 3 elsewhere on reservation. Of the total number of deaths all resulted from natural causes except 2-the results of accidents. The average age at death was 68.22 years, and the death rate per 1,000 of whole number cared for was 54.73.

One hundred and thirty members showed indications of disordered minds during the year, and of these 33 were considered permanently insane. There were 43 members with impaired eyesight so as to be unable to read, and 7 were totally blind. The average number of those read to once daily was 12, and they are occasionally taken out riding in the hospital carriage and afforded all possible facilities for entertainment.

The present cemetery is in very rocky ground, and Home cemetery. it is necessary to blast out the graves. To obviate this it is proposed to change the location of the cemetery to more favorable ground, and a good site has been selected. Many new marble headstones are wanted.

No. 2.-REPORT OF AN INSPECTION OF THE WESTERN BRANCH, AUGUST 21 TO 26, 1901.

Post-office.

Local manager.

Officers.

National Military Home, Leavenworth County, Kans. Col. Sidney G. Cooke, Herington, Kans. Colonel Cooke's term as a member of the Board of Managers expires in 1906.

The following are the officers of this Branch, viz: Governor, Col. J. G. Rowland; treasurer, Capt. William W. Martin; surgeon, Maj. A. G. Hull; commissary of subsistence, Capt. D. C. Goodrich; quartermaster, Col. U. V. Pearsall; chaplains, Rev. James M. Payne and Rev. Thomas H. Kinsella; matron, Mrs. Martha J. Smith. At date of inspection the treasurer was Maj. W. B. Shockley, whose resignation had been tendered and was accepted to take effect on August 31, 1901. The new treasurer, Captain Martin, took charge of the office September 1, 1901. He had been at the Branch some weeks prior to this date, familiarizing himself with the duties of the position.

Zeal and fidelity have characterized the conduct of affairs on the part of the officers, who are attentive to their duties and harmonious in their relations with each other, and the good administration referred to in my report of last year continues.

A more equitable division of duties among the officers of this Branch would evidently be brought about if the commissary was given charge of the post fund as is done at the Central Branch. The time to inaugurate such a change could not perhaps be more appropriate than upon the advent of a new treasurer, and this would give some relief to an already burdened office.

Grounds.

The reservation of this Branch ranks second in the matter of size, and comprises 640 acres of fine ground on the banks of the Missouri River. It is within easy reach of the city of Leavenworth, Kans., from which it is distant about 3 miles. Kansas City, Mo., some 24 miles distant, can also be readily reached on the electric street-car line, which has a station at the entrance to the grounds. The fine growth of natural forest trees add materially to the beauty of the landscape and surroundings.

The general appearance of the grounds, walks, shrubbery, etc., bore evidence of care and attention on the part of the officers of the Branch. The paving of the main roadway, which was referred to in my report for the preceding year, remains very much as reported at that time. The lapse of another year and the resultant wear and tear have of

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