prepared a special warning against political activity by federal employees and directed it to be circulated in all of the federal offices in and about Philadelphia. It is probable that only a very small proportion of the federal employees in Philadelphia took an active hand in the recent election. Their number was greater than on recent occasions, however, and our Association has asked for more investigations than for some time in the past, and most of them, it is reasonable to expect, are likely to result in the infliction of penalties.

A number of irregularities in appointments to the federal service have been reported to the civil service commission and one has already met with punishment. The Association has also brought to the attention of the federal authorities charges of political favoritism at the Philadelphia mint and these are likely soon to be the subject of investigation.

A year ago we reported that the test case that we had brought to declare unconstitutional the soldier exemption proviso in the Philadelphia civil service act had been decided in our favor. This case has since been appealed by the city to the supreme court, but has not yet been argued. Since the decision in the lower court more than a year ago no new appointments have been made under this proviso.

In the recent death of Henry C. Lea, a vice president of the League and a vice president of the Pennsylvania Association since its organization in 1881, we have lost a most valued supporter and a man who throughout a long life has been a foremost champion in Philadelphia and throughout the country of many movements for the uplift of society and for the betterment of civic and political conditions.

Mrs. Albert Sioussat submitted the report from the Women's Auxiliary of Maryland:

The Maryland Auxiliary has pursued its work with a membership of 300 women along the lines of co-operation with the Reform Association and with other societies having for their aim the betterment of civic conditions.

They desire specially to avoid the besetting sin of the age, the duplication of work and the loss of force

resulting therefrom. It has therefore accepted the request from Dr. Hall Pleasants of the official staff at Bay View, our large alms house, that a committee should be formed to investigate conditions and if possible to aid in the formation of public opinion by which larger appropriations could be procured and the work carried on under more systematic principles.

This committee also made a preliminary venture in a small way of the work of a welfare secretary to go in and out among such of the inmates as could take up some light employment. Although the results are not large it will open the way of some permanent work along these lines.

Efforts are also being made to obtain information as to the conduct of the different institutions under state control, with the co-operation of the State Federation of Women's Clubs, whose influence as a state wide organization furnishes avenues for the dissemination of information and the formation of public opinion.

Four parlor meetings have been held during the year at the residences of women interested in the work. For these speakers have been furnished through the co-operation of the Civil Service Reform Association. One of the most interesting was that of Mr. Colby, of New Jersey. We hope in the course of the coming year to have addresses on similar lines presented to the boys' club, the young men's guilds and if possible the public schools.

The Auxiliary has also been substantially interested in the training of a young Pole in civic affairs in order that he might carry to his people the proper conception of American citizenship. The experiment has proved most satisfactory. He has done both field and class work and after this year of special training has taken up work as an assistant to a regular charity organization agent among the Poles. This has been the more desirable since the Poles form a very intelligent class among the foreign element in our community. The establishment of a Polish coffee house forms a centre where civil engineers, doctors and lawyers among them meet the working classes and are developing in their own people the power to assume their own civic responsibilities.

A minute has also been forwarded to the committee appointed to revise the city charter expressing to the gentlemen composing that honorable body the earnest hope of the Auxiliary that ample provision may be made for an application of the merit system as far reaching as possible under existing circumstances in the revised charter of the city of Baltimore.

It has given us pleasure to forward our contribution of $100 to the National Civil Service Reform League and no report from our body would be complete without the most sincere acknowledgments to Mr. Charles J. Bonaparte for the very kind assistance which at all times and seasons he has been ever ready to supply to the Woman's Auxiliary of the Maryland Civil Service Reform Association.

Miss Jean Disbrow submitted the report from the Women's Auxiliary of New York:

As in former years, the work of the Auxiliary has been chiefly educational. Through circular letters we have gained for our pamphlets the attention of clubs, schools, libraries, settlements, christian associations and various other organizations, and as a result over 24,160 pamphlets have been applied for and distributed during the past

year.

In furthering the work locally, the Auxiliary has made arrangements for talks about the civil service, in the city and out of town. We are indebted to Mr. Charles C. Burlingham for his courtesy in lecturing before the Civic League of Christodora House; to Mr. Albert de Roode for a talk at the Young Men's Educational League; and to Mr. S. Wm. Briscoe for consenting to speak before the Society for Political Study. With a view to further stimulating the interest of the pupils of the public schools in the subject of civics, we have offered to several grammar and high schools three medals (gold, silver and bronze) for the best three essays on a given topic dealing with some phase of government administration. Several principals have proclaimed themselves interested and willing to hold essay competitions and we have every hope that the movement for spreading the doctrine of the merit system among the schools will increase in interest and activity.

In addition to the lectures and essay competitions among the schools, we have been urging newspapers to hold contests under their auspices. The "Chief" and "The Police Chronicle" of New York are both conducting competitions the former upon the subject of "The Best Shall Serve the State," and the latter upon "Promotions in the Civil Service;" and the "Times-Union," of Albany, upon the subject of "The Theory of the Merit System and Its Practical Application."

The Auxiliary has been instrumental in having placed in the state library at Albany a travelling library of ten volumes on civil service reform and allied subjects. These books, selected by the Auxiliary and approved by the Honorable Everett P. Wheeler, the Honorable George McAneny, and Mr. Elliot H. Goodwin, have been chosen with a view to meeting the needs of clubs and other organizations throughout the state which are desirous of acquiring some knowledge of the subject.

As a result of urgent request and a special contribution given for that purpose, the Auxiliary has had revised and reprinted a pamphlet, used in distribution in former years, entitled "Facts About Civil Service Reform," by Miss Sarah S. Whittelsey.

Through the courtesy of Mr. Briscoe, place was made for a display of the work of the Auxiliary, in the Exhibit of the state civil service commission at the state fair held in Syracuse.

In closing the report mention should be made of the privilege of attending a special luncheon, accorded last spring to the members of the Auxiliary by the City Club. The subject for discussion was "The Development of a More Efficient Public Service." Mr. George McAneny presided, and the speakers were the Honorable Charles J. Bonaparte, the Honorable Everett P. Wheeler, Mr. Frank L. Polk and Mr. Fagnani. Many members of the Auxiliary and their guests attended and the occasion was thoroughly enjoyed.

Miss Marian C. Nichols submitted the report from the Women's Auxiliary of Massachusetts:

The Massachusetts Auxiliary continues to maintain a membership of 1100, representing fifty cities and towns. As the co-operation of our branches is an important

factor in both our legislative and educational work, it is a special pleasure to report the addition of a new branch in Newton. The branches now number ten. In spite of their unity of purpose, there is a surprising individuality in their development, as is shown by the following special features of their work during the past year.

The Boston branch held a meeting for teachers addressed by Mrs. Oakley. In Brookline competitions for our bronze medal took place in four grammar schools. The Cambridge branch held three meetings and members met weekly to continue the study of municipal government. The Lynn Branch likewise conducted a study class. In Salem Mrs. May Alden Ward gave a series. of talks on current events, with special emphasis on civil service reform, and the branch presented a large cast of the school medal to the Salem high school. The Springfield branch arranged for Congressman Gillett to address the juniors and seniors of the two high schools as a preliminary to their writing essays in a competition for the medal. The boys' debating club, organized by the Waltham branch to make better citizens of the boys, has been very successful. In Worcester the branch held a competition for the medal open to seniors in the three high schools, arranged for three addresses to be given to the students, had twelve talks for members by Mrs. Ward, provided speakers for four clubs, and subscribed for copies of "Good Government" for the Worcester Young Men's Christian Association, Holy Cross College and Clark College.

The Auxiliary and its branches held in all seventeen meetings and addresses were given by the following speakers: Hon. R. H. Dana, President A. Lawrence Lowell, Mr. Stratton D. Brooks, Superintendent of Boston Schools, Mr. Meyer Bloomfield, Hon. Herbert Parker, Mrs. I. B. Oakley, Mrs. R. C. Cabot, Miss Helen Wilson and Miss Marian C. Nichols. The latter spoke at nine meetings during the year.

The legislative work was directed chiefly to the support of the new charter for the city of Boston and of the bills providing for larger appropriations for the Massachusetts civil service commission. The provision