absent on June 30, 1902, was 2,793, or 31 more than last year. The highest number present during the year was 2,308, on March 20, 1902, and the lowest number present was 1,934, on July 4, 1901. The highest number absent was 835, on June 28, 1902, and the lowest, 438, on March 20, 1902. The average temporarily cared for during the year was 3; the total number cared for during the year was 3,133, or 46 less than last year. The average age of the members for the past year was 65.43 years, or 4.44 years older than the average for the preceding year, and is the next to highest average of all the Branches. The average age of the members who have been admitted during the year was 60.68 years.

The number of the Spanish war members still continues small, there being but 16 at the Home on June 30, 1902, or 2 more than the same time last year. During the year 10 were admitted, 1 was readmitted, and the loss by death was 2, by discharge 4, by dropped from rolls 3. The review of the members was held on July 19, 1902. There were 5 officers and 930 members in line, not including the band of 25 men, or a decrease of 146 members from last review. This ceremony was the best seen at this Branch, the clothing being clean and neat, the shoes polished, the officers marching with the men. The prescribed letters for the uniform collars were not worn by the treasurer, quartermaster, nor the commissary of subsistence.

Discipline.

the

The discipline during the past year is reported as being very good, 86.02 per cent of the members having committed no offense. The principal offenses were drunkenness, for which there were 195 trials, and absence without leave, for which there were 185 trials. None of the members were tried for fence jumping, and there were 238 trials for various other offenses. The total number of trials during the year was 618. The greatest number drunk in one day was 24, on September 19, 1901, subsequent to a pension day.

Amusements.

There are many and varied facilities afforded the old men at this Branch, consisting of a good theater with a seating capacity for 1,100, in which many of the principal theatrical troups are employed during the season to give performances. There were 44 performances given during the year, at a cost of $7,085. No charge is made for these to the members of the Home, but others are charged 15 cents. The character of these performances was comedies, melodramas, and tragedies. This theater is also used for lectures and concerts by the band when the weather does not permit of the open-air concerts.

The average strength of the band was 24 men, 2 of whom were members of the Home. The cost to the Home for the year, including subsistence and other allowances of civilians, amounted to $9,825.76. This was an average cost of $409.40 per musician, the highest cost of all the Branches. The average cost per concert was $32.22, and the average annual cost per member present was $4.49, the next to largest cost of all the Branches. The number of concerts given indoors was 185, and out of doors 120. These concerts were reported to be well attended. Those given out of doors were given in the two band stands located in different parts of the grounds. The class of music rendered was classic, popular, and patriotic, and was well executed under the able leadership of Mr. B. M. Thieme, who deserves much praise for the training of this band, which continues in its former

state of excellence. It has been increased in its numbers, and its openair concerts bring large numbers of visitors.

The library was found in good condition with the exception of the windows, which were not clean. It contained 9,463 volumes on June 30, 1902, and the circulation reported for the year was 40,928 books, or an average of 14.1 books per member present. The average daily attendance was 720 members, fiction being the class of reading most in demand. The number of papers taken was 197, and periodicals, 29. In addition to these recreations, there are, for amusement, 19 card tables, 3 billiard tables, and 5 pool tables, all of which are without charge to the members; also, checkers and chess. There are also 3 societies for the members, with a total membership of 252; they consist of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union Veteran Legion, and the Togus Temperance Union.

Farm.

The Home chapel was found in a creditable condiReligious services. tion and in good order. Services are held here on all Sundays and holydays, and are reported as being well attended, the average attendance for the year being 400 Protestants and 200 Catholics. There were 500 acres under cultivation as a farm and 20 acres as a garden, which, at this Branch appears to be profitably maintained, $8,825.78 having been turned into the commissary, $3,930 fed to stock, and $1,010 sold. The well-bred herd of Holstein cattle at this Branch numbered in all 50 head, and continues in its former high standard of excellence. It furnished 44,750 gallons of milk during the year-better in quality than that sold in the neighboring towns for 20 cents per gallon. The intention is to further improve the herd by the introduction of new thoroughbreds when practicable. This herd is pronounced to be the equal of any in New England, and was recently examined by a veterinarian and reported free from tuberculosis.

The value of the farm stock was reported as $9,005, and the following is a statement of the farm account for the year:

Turned into the commissary

Fed to stock

Sold....

Cost of maintenance, farm proper

Cost of maintenance of lawn and flower garden.
Cost of transportation and teams

Credit for use of transportation not known.

Disbursements.

The books, vouchers, and accounts of the Branch were inspected and found correct from the date of my last inspection, August 6, 1901, to July 12, 1902, and

are summarized as follows:

Of the above balances, that of the general fund was on deposit with the National Shawmut Bank, Boston, Mass., and those of the pension and the post funds were with the Granite National Bank, Augusta, Me.

General fund.

The total amount expended of this fund was $302,283.22, of which $126,682.88 was expended for subsistence. The total receipts amounted to $347,265.44. All expenditures were made by check and none in cash. The amount received on the posthumous account was $5,535.35; the disbursements on this account amounted to $2,937.46. The daily average number of employees under the general fund was 427, the smallest number of all the Branches. The salaries paid these employees during the year amounted to as follows:

The average per employee for the year was $188.34, or $5.92 more than last year.

The average cost of maintenance for the year per capita was reported as $132.52, or $7.57 more than last year. But it is $5.20 less than the average for the Home as a whole for this year.

Post fund.

There are 41 members and 33 civilians employed on the business of the Post fund at an average of $213.20 each per year, or $53.26 per employee more than last year. The amount of net profit during the year was reported as being $2,773.64, or $1,556.69 less than last year. The net profit received on the sale of beer, $27,104, or 205 per cent of the cost. At this Branch the checks received for the beer are properly canceled before destruction, which is reported to give satisfaction to the members and to increase the revenue from the sale of the beer. The erection of a new canteen is contemplated for the near future at this Branch. The present system of selling transportation did not prove satisfactory and it is to be corrected.

Pension fund.

The per cent of the membership who received pensions for the past year was 93, or an increase of 1 per cent over last year. They received $303,139.26, and had a balance left to their credit on June 30, 1902, of $4,006.91. There were 2,589 pensioners on the rolls, who received pensions ranging from $6 to $45 per month.

Supplies.

The supplies for the Home were found to be well taken care of, and the books, etc., carefully and accurately kept, insuring an economical expenditure. Inventories are taken monthly and annually, and the property returns are made trimonthly to the general treasurer. The system of checks in the bakery, however, is not satisfactory.

The value of property received per invoice during the year was stated as follows:

From general depot.
By purchase.

By transfer

Total

$23, 476.68 163, 438. 47

592.39

187, 507.54

The storage facilities appear ample, but located too far apart, some being stored in the hospital, the mess hall, and the basements of

barracks.

Clothing.

The clothing was inspected and found satisfactory, and the accounts for the year were stated as follows:

Received from depot
Received from other places
Issued...

Inspected and condemned

Laundry.

$21, 559.62 592.39 22, 740. 21

26, 875. 62

The laundry was inspected and does not seem fully equipped when compared with the other Branches. Two new washing machines have replaced the two old and worn-out ones, but the laundry needs more floor space and modern improvements. The average number of pieces laundered per month was 59,658, and this is the largest number of all the Branches, excepting the Central. The expense for the labor and material for the year was $2,033.70, the smallest cost of any Branch.

The number employed in the laundry was 14, the next to smallest number employed at any other Branch on this work. The management of this laundry deserves praise for such good results.

Fire department.

The fire department was fully tested, including the fire hydrants, with hose, the chemical engines, and the hand fire extinguishers. All were found to be in good order and to stand all tests satisfactorily, and the fire department responded promptly to the alarm. The latter is a well organized and drilled body of 17 men, and they are assisted by an auxiliary force of from 8 or more men in each barrack and the hospital. No fires occurred during the year.

ment.

The average number of employees under the engineer Engineer depart department during the year was 36 members and 16 civilians. There are 8 shops, the accounts of which are under the charge of the quartermaster. The steam plant consists of five 75-horsepower boilers in the power house and three 65-horsepower boilers in the hospital boiler house. The cost for maintenance for the past year was $28,030.

There is no electric nor ice plant at this Branch, the electric current being bought from the Kennebec Light and Heat Company, at a cost of $6,932.25, and the ice is harvested from the pond located on the Home grounds for that purpose. The cost of this ice is 14 cents per ton, the cheapest ice of all the Branches, one of them (the Danville) paying $4 per ton for their ice.

Water system.

The water system has been improved by the construction by the Augusta Water Company of a large standpipe nearly 100 feet above the main level of the Home grounds, having a capacity of 320,000 gallons and an 18-inch supply pipe. But in winter the pressure is too low.

ment.

This department was found on inspection to be well Commissary depart- managed and in good order. Inventories are taken monthly. The dining hall and kitchen were in good condition and are inspected every two weeks by the surgeon. The dining hall has a capacity for 1,052 men, and, as is the case at all the Branches, the tables have to be set twice at each meal in order to

accommodate all the members. There are on an average 19 employees in the kitchen and 59 in the dining hall. The latter and the kitchen still appear not free from roaches.

Now that the duties of the quartermaster and commissary are performed by different officers, the five days' rations should be taken from the storehouse and kept in the mess hall.

The bill of fare for a week was as follows:

Sunday.

Bill of fare for the week ending June 28, 1902.

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

Dinner: Beef fricassee, potatoes, succotash, apple pie, cheese, bread, butter, and coffee.

Supper: Tomato sauce, bread, butter, sirup, and tea.

Monday.

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

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

Tuesday.

Breakfast: Pigs' feet, potatoes, corn cake, bread, butter, and coffee.
Dinner: Mutton stew, crackers, pickles, bread, butter, and coffee.
Supper: Apple sauce, bread, butter, sirup, and tea.

Wednesday.

Breakfast: Baked beans, graham and white bread, butter, and coffee.
Dinner: Corned beef, potatoes, beets, turnips, bread, butter, and coffee.
Supper: Corn meal mush, bread, butter, sirup, and tea.

Thursday.

Breakfast: Meat hash, bread, butter, and coffee.

Dinner: Roast veal, potatoes, onions, bread, butter, and coffee.

Supper: Ginger cake, cheese, bread, butter, sirup, and tea.

Friday.

Breakfast: Codfish hash, bread, butter, and coffee.

Dinner: Salt cod and pork scraps, potatoes, pudding, bread, butter, and coffee. Supper: Prune sauce, bread, butter, sirup, and tea.

Saturday.

Breakfast: Bacon and eggs, potatoes, bread, butter, and coffee.
Dinner: Beef soup, crackers, pickles, bread, butter, and coffee.
Supper: Rolled oats, bread, butter, sirup, and tea.

The hospital has a capacity for 363 patients, is well Medical department. managed, and was found in good condition, due to the efficient administration of the surgeon, Maj. J. W. E. Elwell. It had been repainted in about one-half of the interior and improved in other ways, such as the setting of 10 bath tubs, new toilet rooms, etc., and was very satisfactory with the exception of some of the walls, which were not entirely clean. There were 2,647 patients treated during the year, and the average number of patients per day at the hospital was 322. There were 107 deaths at the hospital, 2 elsewhere on the reservation, and 28 outside the Home, or a total of 137 during the year. The average age of these members at the time of death was 69 years. One of these deaths was the result of suicide. The cost of a funeral at this Branch was $25.75, the next to the largest cost of all the Branches. The average number of employees in the