L.-Number and value of manufactured articles transferred to each Branch Home during the year ending June 30, 1901.

M.-Statement of tableware, etc., transferred to the several Branches, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, during the year ending June 30, 1901.

M.-Statement of tableware, etc., transferred to the several Branches, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, etc.—Continued.

N.-Statement of amount and value of manufactured articles transferred to the several Branches, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, during fiscal year ending June 30, 1901.

Articles.

Amount. Value. Amount. Value. Amount. Value. Amount. Value.

O.-Average quantity of goods used in the manufacture of each article of bedding, clothing,

No. 9.-REPORT OF AN INSPECTION OF THE SOUTHERN BRANCH, OCTOBER 4 to 8, 1901.

Post-office.

Local manager.

Officers.

National Soldiers' Home, Elizabeth City County, Va. Gen. William J. Sewell, Camden, N. J., is the local manager of this Branch. His term as one of the Board of Managers expires on April 21, 1904.

The following are the officers of the Southern Branch: Governor, Col. William Thompson; commissary of subsistence, Col. Charles Candy; quartermaster, Capt. J. H. Gifford; surgeon, Maj. R. S. Vickery; Protestant chaplain, Rev. Joseph H. Bradley, D. D.; Catholic chaplain, Rev. T. J. Mercer; matron, Mrs. M. Mahon.

The former governor, Col. P. T. Woodfin, died on August 24, 1901, and the treasurer, Maj. William Thompson, succeeded him. Major Thompson was well fitted to fill this vacancy, having for some time been acting governor during the protracted illness of Governor Woodfin, and in which position he had proved himself well worthy of the charge. The office of treasurer, made vacant by the promotion of Major Thompson, had not been filled at the time of my inspection, and the double duty of this with the duty of governor were being ably filled by Colonel Thompson. Subsequently, it is understood that the vacancy in the treasurer's office has been filled by the appointment of Mr. W. H. H. Peck.

The conditions existing at this Home showed general improvement over last year, but considerable yet remains to be done to bring it to the standard of the best of the Branches. However, both the physical and the personal conditions will no doubt be materially improved under the management of the new governor, who is taking hold earnestly, and will, with the competent and harmonious assistance of the officers under him, eventually elevate it to the level of the best.

Grounds.

In area this Home does not compare favorably with the other Branches. The reservation consists of but 26 acres owned by the Home and 43 acres of ground leased for twenty years from July 1, 1883. The latter has been greatly improved since then by valuable buildings, avenues, and other permanent improvements at much expense to the Government and should be bought outright if it can be obtained at a reasonable price. The lawns, walks, and drives are kept in good order, and the location compares favorably with the health resorts at Old Point Comfort, both as to climate and the attractive view of Hampton Roads.

Buildings.

The buildings at this Branch, although numerous, are not all well suited to afford the best comfort to the men. Some of them are quite new, furnished with the latest improvements and accommodating, with the main building, 1,800 men; while others are old structures, poorly ventilated, with antiquated plumbing (the worst of all the Branches) and scant conveniences for the 1,200 men they are obliged to accommodate. They need frequent and expensive repairs, are sometmes without bathrooms, with poor closet accommodations, and at best are but poor substitutes.

It would be economy to build new barracks for the accommodation of about 700 men and leave the membership at 2,500. An effort is being made to reduce the membership of these overcrowded barracks