increased by 100 per cent or more of good strong firemen. There were no fires during the past year. ment. This branch is supplied with water by the West Los Engineer's depart Angeles Water Company. The supply is by gravitation, 500,000 gallons being received daily, and the supply is said to be quite satisfactory in every respect. There is roof and surface drainage. The roof drain has generally been carried over the bluff and emptied out below; this should be collected into one drain and carried farther on. Surface drains were in course of construction at date of inspection. The lines of sewers, with the exception of the hospital and a small one from the residences, are combined into one near the power house and the sewage pours into a septic tank, from which it passes away in liquid form onto the alfalfa fields and gardens, which it irrigates and enriches. In the steam plant there are three 100-horsepower water-tube boilers, five 50-horsepower tubular return-tube boilers, one 15-horsepower locomotive fire-box boiler. There are three engines of 75, 30, and 6 horsepower, respectively. The 30-horsepower engine is used for running the laundry and carpenter shop. The 75-horsepower engine was formerly used to run the dynamo for the electric-light plant, and certain repairs and changes are now desired so that it can be used for general purposes. The small 6-horsepower engine is used for running the meat chopper, coffee mill, and the dough mixer, etc. The steam plant is said to have cost, approximately, $15,725. For its maintenance during the past fiscal year there was expended the sum of $18,037.14. The cost of maintenance per horsepower was $111.16. The carpenter shop was not in good condition as to police. The electric-light plant at the Branch has not been used since December, 1900, since which time the Home has been furnished with electricity for lighting purposes by the Los Angeles and Pacific Railroad Company at Santa Monica. ment. The dining hall was not in an orderly condition, and Commissary depart- dustpans and cleaning cloths were scattered about on the floor at 11.30 a. m. The increased membership has proved the mess hall too small for the present demands upon it, and it is proposed to enlarge the building to the rear. Enlarged facilities are needed, as some of the tables now have to be set three times before all the members have been accommodated. The dining hall and kitchen are inspected by the Home surgeon once a month, three times a day by the Home inspector, and daily by the commissary officer. The facilities are said to be ample for receiving and taking care of supplies and for cooking and serving the meals. During the year 417 meals were given to transients not connected officially with the Home. The refuse of the kitchen is fed to the hogs and chickens; its estimated weight is 54,000 pounds per month, which would give almost 325 tons per year. The food appeared to be satisfactory, both as to quantity and variety, and was properly prepared and served. The following was the bill of fare for the week ending June 29, 1901: Sunday. Breakfast: Bacon and eggs, boiled potatoes, bread, oleo, coffee. Dinner: Vegetable soup, roast pork and brown gravy, mashed potatoes, white bread, oleo, pickles, plum pudding, coffee. Supper: Coffee cake, stewed fruit, sirup, oleo, white bread, tea. Monday. Breakfast: Mutton stew with boiled potatoes, bread, oleo, coffee. Tuesday. Breakfast: Smoked shoulder, boiled potatoes, oleo, bread, coffee. Dinner: Vegetable soup, roast mutton, potatoes, cabbage, pickles, bread, oleo, coffee. Supper: Mush and milk, corn bread, wheat bread, mountain honey, oleo, tea. Wednesday. Breakfast: Beef hash, potatoes, white bread, oleo, coffee. Dinner: Bean soup, macaroni and cheese, potatoes, spinach, bread, oleo, coffee. Supper: Hot lima beans, graham bread, fruit butter, oleo, tea. Thursday: Breakfast: Smoked shoulder, potatoes, bread, oleo, coffee. Dinner: Vegetable soup, roast beef and brown gravy, boiled potatoes, carrots, bread, oleo, coffee. Supper: Stewed fruit, bread, hot buns, mountain honey, oleo, tea. Friday: Breakfast: Hot corned-beef hash, potatoes, bread, oleo, coffee. Dinner: Pea soup, baked fresh fish or pickled salmon, boiled potatoes, beets, catsup, pickles, bread, oleo, coffee. Supper: Gingerbread, white bread, pickles, fruit butter, oleo, tea or milk. Saturday: ment. Breakfast: Hot Irish stew, potatoes, white bread, oleo,coffee. Dinner: Boiled sugar-cured Eastern ham, potatoes, cabbage, bread, oleo, tea. Supper: Mush and milk, wheat bread, mountain honey, oleo, tea. A cottage for the nurses is provided at nearly all of Medical Depart the other Branches, and one should be supplied this Branch, as the nurses are kept constantly in the hospital. It is observed that this is the only Branch where the nurses and assistant surgeons are in the same mess. Each should have a separate mess. The garbage at the hospital is handled by hand. A garbage tank, similar to those at the other Branches, should be furnished. The need of a new operating room is very pronounced, and should receive the attention it deserves. The hospital generally is in a very satisfactory condition. A new ward, which will accommodate 60 beds, has just been completed, and will add much to relieve the crowded condition. The hospital at this Branch consists of five buildings, connected by inclosed corridors, to wit, administration building, north wing, south wing, annex, and kitchen and mess hall. It has a capacity for 206 patients, which does not appear to be sufficient, as the average daily number of sick in hospital during the year was reported as 213. In addition to this, there was a daily average of 23 patients in barracks or sick call. The total number of patients treated at this Branch during the past fiscal year, including sick-call patients, was 2,346, and each was treated on an average of twenty-seven days. The total number of patients admitted to the hospital during the year was 514. There were 166 deaths, all of which occurred in the hospital except 30 outside of reservation and 10 elsewhere on the reservation. Of the deaths, 164 were from natural causes and the other two were suicides. The average age at death was 66.25 years. The facilities for bathing in the hospital are furnished by 6 bathrooms and 8 tubs, which allows 1 tub for 27 patients. There are 34 members with impaired eyesight, 11 of whom are totally blind and require attendance. One member is employed daily to read to the blind. There is an average of 96 employees in the hospital-78 members and 18 civilians to whom were paid in salaries during the year the sum of $17,905.63. The cemetery was in good condition. A number of marble headstones are wanted. No. 4.-REPORT OF AN INSPECTION OF THE NORTHWESTERN BRANCH, SEPTEMBER 8 TO 11, 1901. Post-office. Local manager. National Home, Milwaukee County, Wis. Col. John L. Mitchell, Milwaukee, Wis., is the local manager of this Branch. His term of office expires in 1904. Colonel Mitchell is also second vice-president of the Board of Managers. Officers. The following are the officers of the Northwestern Branch: Governor, Col. Cornelius Wheeler; treasurer, Maj. J. E. Armitage; surgeon, Maj. Almon Clarke; quartermaster and commissary of subsistence, Capt. W. W. Rowley; adjutant and inspector, Capt. H. A. Valentin; chaplains, Rev. E. Þ. Wright, D. D., and Rev. A. Hayden, S. J.; matron, Mrs. Annie Knox. These officers were all on duty at the date of my last inspection, with the exception that the office of adjutant and inspector was vacant at that time, and this vacancy was filled on September 23, 1901, by the appointment of Captain Valentin. The officers are experienced and the very general satisfactory condition of the affairs of the Branch is conclusive evidence of close attention to duty on their part, and good results have been accomplished. Major Armitage is an especially competent and efficient officer. The records were generally found in good condition, properly kept, and up to date, the only exception being that in the adjutant's office a few of the "letters sent" had not been indexed. Governor Wheeler reports that progress is being made in inculcating competition between the companies with a view to increase the efficiency and interest of the members and create a healthy rivalry between them, and that the results have been very satisfactory and a generally improved discipline is noticeable. ings. The reservation at this Branch Home contains 3834 Grounds and build-acres of rolling and well-shaded ground, with lakes and springs, many fine forest trees, winding roads, shady spots, attractive scenery, the whole producing a very delightful and pleasing effect. The site of the Branch overlooks Lake Michigan, which is distant about 4 miles. About 1 mile to the east is the city of Milwaukee, with which the Home is connected by two lines of electric, cars with convenient depots on the grounds, as well as two fine thoroughfares; and there is doubtless no more popular resort for outing parties, certainly none more generously patronized by the people of Milwaukee, than this Branch Home. The tracks of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad run through the central part of the grounds at grade. The road is used for all kinds of traffic, and there are numerous fast trains. The tracks are not fenced in. There are guards at the driveway crossings and at the walk crossings. It is needless to point out the fact that in its present unguarded condition this road constitutes a dangerous menace to life. With the exception of the above-mentioned crossings the road is entirely unguarded, and members can wander at will through the grounds, which is their right and a privilege that should not be curtailed or restricted in the least. Many of them are old and decrepit and could hardly be expected to observe the necessary caution. As a matter of fact, several of the members have been killed by the cars. A handsome fence, with all necessary gateways for drives and walks, properly protected by guards, is evidently needed and would doubtless afford the required protection. This improvement could be made at moderate cost, and is recommended. The "Old Men's" barrack is a conspicuous feature of this Branch. The idea of setting apart a separate building for the occupation of old men only, with kitchen and mess room attached, thus avoiding the necessity of their going to the general mess hall for their meals, was inaugurated at this Branch, and has been in successful operation for some time. The idea has been fostered among the members that to occupy the "Old Men's" barrack is much in the nature of a reward for good behavior, while bad conduct is sufficiently punished by taking them away from it. This innovation has been productive of excellent results, which is of course very gratifying to its promoters. Every effort is made to meet and supply the wants of the inmates, who are uniformly old, and they appear to be very well satisfied, are appreciative, and are quite content to remain there. The attractiveness of the outside surroundings has been added to by beautiful beds of flowers on the adjacent grounds. A conservatory is being constructed by the members of this barrack under the porch from old sash and other material having little value and not in use, which is an additional indication of the interest taken by the old men in this barrack. The grounds and buildings generally presented a very satisfactory appearance. The main building had extensive repairs made upon it during the year. These consisted of calcimining, painting, new floors, and tile closets, so that the building, which is more than thirty years old, presented a decidedly improved appearance, and its condition is better than at any of my prior visits. The barracks were found in very good condition, and the only thing calling for adverse comment was that a number of unauthorized articles were observed under the bed. In addition to the repairs on the main building considerable repairs were made on three of the barracks, which included repairing and replacing ceilings, painting, calcimining, new floors, and new closets. The chapel is in need of repairs; the roof leaks and the plaster is cracked and loose in places and will probably fall. The conservatory is small, old, and in bad repair. A new conservatory, of sufficient size to meet the requirements of the Branch, would be a decided improvement. In a number of companies it was reported that the supply of toilet paper was not sufficient. To remedy the unsatisfactory conditions reported last year relative to bedbugs, numerous metal tanks have been supplied and they are very conveniently arranged. Hot water and steam are used to destroy the bugs, and it is reported that the results have been satisfactory. The amount expended on repairs during the year was $25,213.62, and the estimated cost of repairs for the year ending June 30, 1902, is $25,500. Improvements at a total estimated cost of $24,000 are reported needed for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1903, and contemplate an addition and extension of the electric-lighting plant at $18,000, and a new conservatory to cost $6,000. Population. dropped. The number of Spanish-war soldiers admitted to this Branch to date is 22. Of these, 18 were present at date of inspection, 2 having been discharged and 2 The officers and members, present and absent, on the rolls June 30, 1901, were 2,604, being a net loss of 40 persons as compared with the close of the preceding fiscal year. The average number of members present and absent during the year was 2,649, of which 2,192 was the average present and 457 the average absent. As compared with the preceding year, the number of members constantly present during the past year was greater by 79, or an increase of not quite 4 per cent. The year 1901 is noticeable at this Branch from the fact that there was a break in the uniform falling off in the average number of members present, which had prevailed since 1898, when there was a loss of 1; in 1899 a loss of 82, and this increased to 169 members in 1900. The total number of members cared for was reported as 3,222, which is 41 less than the total number cared for during the preceding year. The average age of members was reported as 65.68 years. This is a high average and is exceeded by but one other Branch. The average number of members temporarily cared for was 24. The greatest number present at the Home was 2,317, on March 9, 1901, and the lowest number was 2,027, on May 23, 1901, giving an extreme range of 290 members. A review of the officers and members was held on September 11, 1901, which was preceded by an inspection. The officers marched with the men, and the ceremony was very creditably performed. The number of officers and members, including the band, in line at the review was 1,172, as follows, viz, 4 officers, 1,144 members, 24 bandsmen. All were in uniform. The number in line at the review shows a considerable falling off as compared with last year, and was about 54.5 per cent of those present at the Branch at the time. The absentees footed up 1,003, and were accounted for as follows, viz, sick, 305; extra and other duty, 379; excused, 319. Discipline. The principal breaches of discipline are said to be absence without leave and drunkenness, and the punishments consist of labor, forfeiture of pass privileges, and confinement to the limits of the reservation. Members are not confined in guardhouse as a punishment. Sentences to labor may be computed at the rate of 20 cents per day at the discretion of the governor. Standing card passes, which permit members to come and go between the hours of 8 a. m. and 6 p. m., are issued to all members committing no offense sixty days after admission to the Branch. Daily passes are issued to all members not under sentence. The longest sentence being served at date of inspection was thirty days' labor. Nine hundred and five offenses are reported to have been committed by 542 members, and 3,680 members, or 83.57 per cent, committed no offenses during the year. There were 905 trials, and of these 375 were for absence without leave, 330 for drunkenness, 64 for fence jumping, and 136 for |