(9) Libraries: Each branch has a well-equipped library, generously supplied with newspapers, magazines, and books, and which, as a rule, is well attended by the members. A supervising librarian is employed by headquarters and paid from the special funds.

It was noted at this inspection that some of the libraries are not open after 4.30 p. m. As each library has more than one employee, arrangements should be made to have all library reading rooms open for at least an hour after the evening meal.

(10) Religious services: Each of the branches has a Catholic and a Protestant chaplain, who for the most part are officers of the home. The usual religious services are conducted. Under the home regulations, the chaplains have charge of the spiritual welfare of the members of the home, and are required to make frequent visits to the hospital, to answer all requests for attendance, and to take an active interest in all that relates to good discipline and the moral and spiritual well-being of the members of the home.

(11) Laundries and dry-cleaning plants: Each branch has a laundry and, with the exception of the Battle Mountain Sanitarium, a dry-cleaning plant. As a rule the work is quite satisfactory, but it appeared that work of better grade could be accomplished with a little more care. This matter should receive consideration by the local authorities. It is recommended that a dry-cleaning plant be installed at the Battle Mountain Sanitarium.

(12) Buildings and grounds: While, with the limited appropriations, a great deal has been accomplished in keeping the buildings in a fair state of repair, some necessary painting and repairs could not be accomplished through insufficiency of appropriated funds. The grounds were generally in good condition, Those of the Pacific Branch were an exception. With judicious use of labor and water it is believed the grounds of this branch could be made more attractive. If this can not be done it is believed that some special funds under control of the president of the Board of Managers should be made available for the purpose.

The roads were generally in good condition. Those of the Northwestern Branch were being repaired at time of inspection. Without more liberal appropriations all buildings and grounds can not be kept in that excellent state of repair and police desired.

(13) Dairies and farms: Four branches maintain dairies. They have been operated in a satisfactory manner and the branches maintaining them have had good milk at reasonable cost. The operation of the dairies has probably had the effect of making reasonable the price of additional milk that it was found necessary to purchase.

(14) Membership: The qualifications required for membership in the home are now extremely liberal. An act of Congress approved June 7, 1924, contains the following provision:

"The following persons shall be entitled to the benefits of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, and may be admitted thereto upon the order of a member of the Board of Managers. Honorably discharged officers, soldiers, sailors, or marines who served in the Regular, volunteer, or other forces of the United States or in the Organized Militia or National Guard when called into Federal service, and who are disabled by disease or wounds and who have no adequate means of support and by reason of such disability are either temporarily or permanently incapacitated from earning a living."

The home was originally established for the purpose of caring for the veterans of the Civil War. By subsequent legislation the benefits of the home have been extended to include all honorably discharged officers, soldiers, sailors, and marines; all ex-service women, which embrace nurses since 1901 and yeomanettes of the World War: and by a recent decision of the Judge Advocate General, members of the Coast Guard have equal rights to be admitted to the home. This large eligibility list would indicate that the facilities of the home will remain active, with a progressive increase in operations for years to come. Confronted with this condition, it appears that the time has arrived whem more deliberate and thorough consideration should be devoted to the care and future of disabled veterans.

The care of the disabled resolves itself into two separate and distinct phases: First, hospitalization, the objective being rehabilitation.

Second, domiciliary care, the objective being the permanent care of those whose hospitalization has not resulted in complete rebabilitation and those who from various casuses are incapacitated for earning a living.

In a comparatively short space of time those persons in the first group, hospitalization, will have been either restored to health, or will have received the maximum benefit from hospitalization, with the result that this group

should gradually dwindle and finally disappear. On the other hand, as the first group decreases, those requiring domiciliary care will increase in numbers for many years to come.

It is highly desirable that those requiring domiciliary care be segregated in barracks where they can be more comfortably and efficiently cared for at a considerably less cost. This condition should be promptly recognized and fairly met by a gradual shrinking of hospital facilities and by a corresponding increase in domiciliary facilities.

The case can be clearly illustrated by a reference to conditions existing at one of the branches of the home, the Central Branch: In order to provide hospital space for World War veterans requiring hospital care, five barracks were modified and converted to hospital use, and the hospital staff was enlarged accordingly. For some time this space was fairly well filled. During the past year, however it has not been filled to an average of more than 50 per cent of its capacity. During the winter months, however, the barracks or domiciliary space was filled and for a time it was necessary to occupy for this purpose one of the buildings which had been converted into a hospital. In other words, a decrease in the space required for acute hospitalization and a consequent increase in the space needed for domiciliary cases will be the natural and logical trend to be expected and for which the necessary provision should be made.

(15) Statistics: The average number present during the fiscal year 1925, as reported by headquarters of the home, was 14,363, and the average per capita cost of maintenance based on the average number of members present was $541.89. The report of the Board of Managers contains information relative to statistics and of the financial transactions of the home.

8. Conclusions.-The records of the home have been kept well and in conformity with the regulations prescribed.

ner.

Disbursements have been made on proper vouchers and in a businesslike manThe management has been efficient and close supervision has been given the affairs of the branches by the Board of Managers and the general treasurer. The condition of the home is satisfactory.

The funds appropriated by Congress have been carefully safeguarded and disbursed to obtain the maximum benefit. The members are well housed, well clothed and fed, and are furnished with a reasonable amount of recreation.

The member patients are housed in clean and well-cared-for hospitals which are competently administered and equipped with modern appliances. Their needs are attended by competent medical officers and graduate nurses, who are considerate and kind in their treatment.

The members of the home as a rule are comfortable and appear to appreciate the benefits and privileges enjoyed by them. R. C. HUMBER,

Lieutenant Colonel, Inspector General's Department.

1. PACIFIC BRANCH, SOLDIERS' HOME, NEAR SANTA MONICA, CALIF.

1. This inspection was made July 1–7, 1925. All parts of the branch, including the barracks, hospital, wards, storerooms, garrets, theater, chapels, library, stables, grounds, powerhouse, greenhouse, and cemetery, etc., were inspected by

me.

2. The Pacific Branch was established in 1888 by Act of Congress approved March 2, 1887, and comprises 675.50 acres. It is located in Los Angeles County, Calif., 4 miles east of Santa Monica. There are 99 buildings on the reservation, including 12 frame barracks, 5 hospital buildings (1 reinforced concrete and tile), 4 frame, and 82 other buildings, including storehouses, mess hall, power house, theater, chapels, library, greenhouse, quarters for officers and employees, etc. The land has cost the United States nothing, as it was acquired partly by donation and partly by exchange. The appraised value of the buildings is $2,987,164.49.

3. Officers. At date of inspection the officers of the branch present were: Col. Oliver K. Marshall, governor.

Maj. George T. Baggott, treasurer and superintendent of post fund.

Col. James A. Mattison, surgeon.

Capt. E. B. Newcomb, quartermaster.

Capt. John Miller. commissary of subsistence.

Capt. H. P. Dulaney, first assistant surgeon.

Drs. F. P. Dolan, R. W. Karras, H. Lynch, R. C. Shawhan, R. A. Akin, C. W. Allen, L. G. Craig, L. R. Croft, R. W. Eppley, R. C. Fuller, A. E. Gill, P. J. Germon, J. R. Neal, V. S. Owne, and M. A. V. Smith, assistant surgeons.

Maj. George T. Baggott, treasurer, was sick in quarters at time of inspection. He signed checks and other officials papers at his house.

In addition, there were 156 men temporaily at the post.
The members have had service as follows:

Officers Members

23

2,624

1

1,023

24

3,647

1, 652

57

978

756

204

3, 647

5. Since last inspection the following improvements and construction were paid for from the post fund:

The following is a list of major repairs, construction and improvements, with cost of same, made during the year from funds appropriated by Congress:

Renewal of steam and return lines, power house to general mess__
Remodeling setting and furnace of boiler No. 9.-.-

Rewiring and new lighting fixtures, general mess hall..

Recovering million-gallon reservoir.

Extending office and recovering headquarters building

Providing baggage room for company No. 11...

Slop hopper and housing, hospital annex No. 1...
New telephone switchboard..

Installation of showers in companies Nos. 8 and 9..

Grading, resurfacing, oiling and rolling 235,000 square feet roads.

Interior painting, barracks..

Exterior painting, barracks.

By the second deficiency act, approved March 4, 1925, there was appropriated $1,500,000 for the construction at the Pacific branch of a sanitary fireproof hospital of a capacity of 500 beds. The construction had not been commenced

at time of inspection. It was reported that plans and specifications were being prepared in connection with same by the Office of the Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department.

This branch is very popular with the older members, and it is usually overcrowded. The governor reports that the following construction, with estimated cost, is needed, for which funds have not been appropriated:

Two fireproof barracks___

Laundry and dry-cleaning plant, with dormitory space for female em

ployees

Fireproof paint shop and oil storage house___

$500,000

35,000

6, 500 It is also reported that to properly repair roads, curbs, and gutters would cost $25,000, and that to renew and remodel water sections in 11 barrack buildings would cost about $66,000. This work has not been done due to insufficient appropriations.

The additional construction is believed to be desirable, but, due to the fact that some of the other branch homes have sufficient space to care for many additional members, it is not believed to be urgent at present.

Some of the roads, gutters, and walks were in a deplorable condition at time of inspection. They need resurfacing, proper curbing, and drainage.

6. The store and restaurant are operated under the supervision of the post fund. The net profit for the year from the two combined was about $1,800. The restaurant was operated at a loss of over $300, notwithstanding the fact that one employee charged to the store expense was actually employed in the restaurant. The hours at which the store and restaurant are open for business are not such that they receive the trade which would result from longer hours. It is believed that more satisfactory service would obtain by letting the store and restaurant to a concessionaire, as is done at some of the other branches.

7. There were no receipts on hand for a number of canceled checks reported to have been forwarded to the General Accounting Office. In some cases there was no evidence to show that such checks had been forwarded.

8. Deposits of receipts of post funds of the restaurant should be made more frequently. At present they are generally made once a month.

9. The hospitals were exceedingly clean. The care of patients was excellent and reflects credit upon the surgeon and his assistants. The method of serving food from food carts to bed patients in Annex No. 1 is not satisfactory. The food

is not always sufficiently warm when the last service is made. It is believed that a better plan would be to serve the trays from the diet kitchens.

10. The nurses' cottage is not adequately heated. There is no way of heating the hallways or bedrooms, and consequently their quarters at times are uncomfortable and deleterious to health.

11. Due to the overcrowded condition of this branch, many members in barracks are quartered in attics which are not considered suitable for this purpose, and which also would be hazardous to these members in the event of a fire.

12. Many buildings are in need of interior painting.

13. A number of beds in barracks are in need of repainting.

14. The food served at the general mess did not appear as appetizing as that served at other branches. A greater variety is desirable. The general mess hall

is dark and not as neatly arranged as it should be.

15. There are practically no lawns, and the grounds do not present the appearance to be expected or desired for an institution of this kind.

16. The orchards and groves have not been kept up to the high standard of former years and give indications of neglect.

17. The storehouses and shops were not orderly in arrangement and their surroundings were in a poor state of police.

18. The road to the cemetery is in poor condition of repair and the cemetery requires more attention. It does not present a creditable appearance for a national cemetery.

19. The general conditions of the branch, with the exceptions noted above, are satisfactory.

2. BATTLE MOUNTAIN SANITARIUM, HOT SPRINGS, S. Dak.

1. This inspection was made July 10-11, 1925. All parts of the branch, including the hospital building and wards, storerooms, theater, chapel, library, stables, grounds, power house, greenhouse, cemetery, etc., were inspected by

me.

2. This branch was established in 1907, by an act of Congress approved May 29, 1902, and is located at Hot Springs, Fall River County, S. Dak. The reservation comprises 101.36 acres, of which 70.36 acres are included in lawns and cemetery; 10 acres are devoted to orchard and garden; 6 acres to alfalfa, and 15 acres to pasture purposes. There are 29 buildings on the reservation, including 7 hospital buildings (6 stone and 1 frame), and 22 other buildings, of which 1 is brick, 2 concrete, 6 stone, and 13 frame. Sixty-seven acres of the land were acquired by donation and 34.36 acres were purchased at a cost of $18,452.81. The appraised value of the buildings is $710,000.

3. Officers.-At date of inspection the officers of the branch present were: Col. James A. Barker, governor and surgeon.

Maj. William H. Stanley, treasurer and quartermaster,
Capt. John S. Ruoff, assistant surgeon.

Capt. Alfred J. Klint, assistant surgeon.

Capt. Frank C. Fuller, assistant surgeon.

Lieut. Donald G. Bussey, assistant surgeon.
Capt. Arza P. Janes, chaplain.

Changes in officers since July 1, 1924:

In addition to these there were present temporarily at post 35 men. The members present, including men temporarily at post, had service as follows:

5. Since last inspection no new construction was paid for from the post fund. Radio equipment donated by the Sun-Roxy fund, valued at $7,000, was installed at a cost of $574.42, the cost of installation being paid for from the post fund. The installation included a head set for every patient.

The following is a list of major repairs, etc., with cost of same, made during the year from funds appropriated by Congress:

6. It was reported that the Veterans' Bureau contemplates building a new fireproof hospital on the grounds of this branch. Bids for same were to be opened August 4, 1925.

The branch needs a water-softening plant and a new smoke stack; the powerhouse should be enlarged in the way of increase of heating capacity; storehouse facilities, capacity of ice machine and refrigeration plant also need to be enlarged. It is understood that this new construction and additional facilities will be provided in connection with the proposed new hospital unit from the Veterans' Bureau appropriation. It was noted, however, that the plans for this hospital did not provide for expansion of the laundry, which will be required.

With the addition of the new hospital it is believed that an executive officer should be included among the necessary additional personnel.