all the Branches. The gain and loss in membership may be indicated as follows:

The average number of officers and members present and absent during the year was 2,725, of whom 2,074 were present and 651 were absent. The average present was 626 greater than for the preceding year. The greatest number present at any one time was 2,457, on April 3, 1902; the lowest was 1,561, on July 17, 1902-giving an extreme range of 896 members. The greatest number absent on any one day was 995, on May 5, 1902, and the lowest number absent during the year was 442, on July 10, 1902. An average number of 17 men were temporarily cared for during the year, and the total number cared for during the year was 3,759, and they were of an average age of 62.11 years.

The number of men admitted to this Branch from the Spanish war, etc., has been 153, of whom 4 have died, 9 have been discharged, 1 has been honorably discharged, 22 have been dropped from the rolls, and 2 have been transferred, leaving a total of 115 on the rolls on June 30, 1902.

At the time of inspection there was a total of 2,223 officers and members present, and 838 members absent. A review was held on August 27, 1902, at which time the total number of officers and members in camp was 2,129, and the number in line at review was 1,130, all of whom were in uniform. The letters "N. H. D. V. S." were not on the collars of the blouses worn by the officers. The review was very satisfactory. It was not preceded by an inspection. The officers marched, carrying swords, which were also carried by the captains and non-commissioned staff. The command was formed in column of platoons, and much interest was shown. The companies seemed, as in the barracks, to try to excel each other. It was noted, however, that the band had no drum-major, the leader of the band performing that duty. It would seem to be better that he should be in the band, and be the leader of the music, instead of being in front to direct the marching.

Discipline.

The principal offenses committed were reported as having been drunkenness, bringing intoxicating liquors into the grounds, disorderly conduct in quarters or on the grounds, and absence without leave. The penalties attached to the committing of these offenses are labor without pay and confinement to the limits of the Home grounds. The total number of members offending was stated as 391, and the total number committing no offense as 3,368, or 89+ per cent of the whole number cared for during the year.

The total number of trials held during the year was reported as 544, of which 147 were for drunkenness, 90 for absence without leave, and 307 for other offenses. There were no trials for fence jumping. Sixty-six members were tried twice, and 33 were tried more than twice. Of the members tried, 340 were punished and 51 were not. No fines were imposed. The greatest number drunk on any one day was 27, on January 11, 1902, subsequent to a pension day. No members were in confinement at the time of inspection. The longest sentence then being served was 45 days extra duty without pay, and no pass for a stated time. The guardhouse is located southeast of the barrack circle, and was found in good condition.

The facilities for amusements consist of a theater, Amusements. library, band, concerts, boating, fishing, billiards, pool, croquet, quoits, etc.

The library is located on the second floor of the general mess hall building, and was in good condition. It has only just started, and at the date of inspection contained 250 volumes, and these may be taken out by the members without conditions. Twenty-five newspapers and 53 periodicals are subscribed and paid for, and as yet no free ones have been received. The average daily attendance in the library is reported as 25. The few books in the library have all been received since the close of the last fiscal year, and therefore no further statistics on this subject are accessible.

The band consists of 23 civilians and no members of the Home. Its total cost for the year, including the subsistence and other allowances of the musicians, was $7,996.64. The average monthly compensation of the leader is $100, and of the other members of the band $25.

The average cost per year for a musician was $399.63, the next to highest of all Branches and $19.47 above the average of the Home as a whole. The average cost of a concert was $41.21, the next to highest and $9.10 above the average of the Home as a whole.

During the year 194 free concerts have been given-62 indoors and 132 out of doors and it is stated that they were all well attended. There are two band stands, both in good condition- a permanent one at the south end of the barrack circle and a temporary one in a grove near the lake. The band is maintained during the entire year and its members are quartered in a dormitory and receive the same clothing, fuel, and rations that are issued to members of the Home. They play popular and classic music and discourse national airs and American music at each concert. One hundred and fifty new iron benches have been placed around the band stand for the convenience of the members and visitors.

The treasurer of the Branch, acting under the instructions of the council of administration of the post fund, has charge of the theater building, as well as of such entertainments as may be given in it. The theater building is located south of and within 100 feet of the barrack circle and was in good condition, having been but recently completed. It has a seating capacity of 800. As the building was completed after the close of the last theatrical season, no theatrical performances had been given in it up to the time of inspection. Band concerts had been given in it in inclement weather; also some free lectures and some celebrations by the soldiers' associations.

There are 12 boats on the lake, which members may use without charge. To civilians there is a charge of 25 cents per hour for the use

of the boats for two persons. The total receipts for the year from this source was reported as $264.90, with total expenses of $86.90, a profit of $178.

The billiard hall is on the second floor of the general mess hall and was in good condition. It contains 1 billiard table, 1 pool table, and 1 pigeonhole table, all in good condition. The tables are frequently in use, and there is no charge for games. Quoits, croquet, and similar outdoor games are played. There are 4 card rooms in each barrack and 2 card tables in each room. Facilities are ample for all who desire to play cards or other games. Chess, checkers, and dominos are also played in the card rooms, where the members are privileged to assemble at any time to play them. It was stated that the amusement rooms are frequently inspected by a commissioned officer.

The societies among the members consist of Lawton Post, No. 792, Grand Army of the Republic, with 69 members, which meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month; Encampment No. 155 of the Union Veteran Legion, with 126 members, which meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays in each month; and a temperance club of 200 members, which meets on Monday nights. These societies are said to have a good effect upon discipline.

Religious services are held in the two chapels-ProtReligious services. estant and Catholic-which are well adapted for the purpose, and have a seating capacity of 296 each. The Protestant chaplain lives on the Home reservation and the Catholic chaplain lives in the town of Danville. The first receives $75 and the second $50 per month. Protestant services are held on Sundays and on three week-day evenings, and Catholic services are held on Sundays and holy days. It was reported that all these services are well attended, the average attendance at the Protestant services being 200 and at the Catholic services 150. It was stated that the Protestant chaplain had held 151 services during the year and the Catholic chaplain 76. Each made frequent visits to the sick, of which no record had been kept. Their other duties consist of officiating at funerals, visiting members in barracks, and in general supervision over the spiritual welfare of the members.

Farm.

Fifty acres are under cultivation as a farm, but as yet there is no garden. The buildings pertaining to the farm are the stables and the greenhouse, which were found in good condition. The value of the farm stock on hand on June 30, 1902, was reported as $1,000, which stock consisted of 10 horses. As yet there are no cows, pigs, or other animals kept on the farm. As there were no cows, of course no milk was produced. The average number of employees on the farm during the year was reported as 24-23 members and 1 civilian. Three men were employed in the flower garden and 6 were employed in teaming. The public vehicles on hand consisted of 1 ambulance, 2 slop carts, 3 dump carts, 6 two-horse wagons, and 1 sprinkling wagon, used for Home purposes only. There were also 8 private vehicles and 4 private horses. The 10 public horses are for teaming for Home purposes. So far there has been no occasion to dispose of animals no longer required.

The only farm product during the year was 55 tons of hay, worth $8 a ton, or $440, all of which was fed to stock. The cost of maintaining the farm proper during the year was reported at $3,135; of

the lawn and flower garden, $792, and of transportation and teams, $1,290, a total of $4,717.

Disbursements.

The accounts and disbursements pertaining to the several funds were examined from September 9, 1901, the date of the last formal inspection, to August 23, 1902, and the transactions may be summarized as follows (accounts of two different treasurers being consolidated):

All of the above balances were on deposit with the Indiana National Bank, of Indianapolis, Ind., except $77 cash on hand under the post fund.

General fund.

The receipts and expenditures under the general fund amounted to $410,793.26 and $373,544.15, respectively. Of the total receipts all was by transfer except the sum of $6,398.55, received from sales and other sources. It was stated that all the disbursements were by check, no payments having been made in cash. There was received on the posthumous account the sum of $1,410.78, and $811.99 was disbursed, both the receipts and disbursements being less than half as much as at any other Branch, leaving a balance for the year under this account of $598.79.

The number of open-market purchases made during the year was 315, amounting to $11,589.10. These open-market purchases pertained to some extent to each of the subheads of appropriation under the general fund.

The daily average number of men employed during the year under the general fund was 436; of whom 5 were officers, 21 noncommissioned officers, 372 members, and 38 civilians. The total amount paid these employees during the year was $76,668.05. As compared with the preceding fiscal year, there was an increase of 56 members in this force, which was fully justified, perhaps, by the increase of population at the Branch. During the year it was reported 359 men worked without pay, not as a penalty; and the daily average of such workers was 40. It was stated that they worked as waiters and at scullery work.

The average cost of maintenance per capita at this Branch for the fiscal year 1902 was reported as $171.40, much the largest of all the Branches in every subhead except in hospital. It is $34.07 more than the cost of maintenance per capita for the Home as a whole,

Post fund.

During the fiscal year the transactions of the post fund included receipts of $39,578, of which the Home store took in $9,678, and the beer hall $29,000. There were also other receipts as follows: From transportation, $7,032.84; from amusements, $264.90; from other sources, $119.03; total, $7,416.77, or a grand total of receipts of $46,994.77. The total expenditures were reported as $48,698.26, of which $21,375.14 was for stock for the store. The amount of net profit for the year was reported as $204.24. Beer is bought in open market, and it was said that 67,520 gallons were bought during the year. This beer cost $12,967.35, and was sold for $29,900-a profit of $16,932.65, or about 134 per cent. Cash registers are used as a check on business at the Home store, and there is a system of checks at the beer hall.

Only one building pertains to the post fund at this Branch-the store and canteen building. A part of the second story of the mess hall is also used for post-fund purposes, and contains the library and billiard hall.

The average daily number of post-fund employees was 35-15 members and 20 civilians. They are employed as a band, and as employees in the beer hall, library, memorial hall, and in the treasurer's office. During the year the members were paid $2,526.35 and the civilians $5,822.66, a total of $8,349.01. The civilians received an average of 83 cents per day and the members an average of 48 cents per day.

Pension fund.

The number of pensioners on the rolls at this Branch on June 30, 1902, was 2,685, which is about 89 per cent of the total membership, present and absent, at that date. Of these pensioners 2,315 were then actually present at the Home. The total amount of pension money received by the treasurer during the past fiscal year was $283,981.96, of which he paid out $283,087.99, the sum of $224,495.17 being paid in currency and $68,592.82 by check. The balance due pensioners was $1,263.47, and this belonged to 20 pensioners, 18 of whom had less than $20 each to their credit and 2 had between $100 and $500 each to their credit.

At this Branch 869 men receive a pension of $12 each a month, 764 receive $8 a month, 549 receive $6 a month, 305 receive $10 a month, 70 receive $14 a month, 65 receive $17 a month, 33 receive $16 a month, 12 receive $24 a month, and the remainder receive sums ranging from $8.50 to $25 a month, the latter (the highest rate paid at this Branch) being drawn by 2 pensioners only. The amount of pensions paid to absentee members during the year was $55,915.82. Two clerks are employed on pension business at a salary of $300 each per

annum.

partment.

There is 1 quartermaster storehouse, which was genQuartermaster de- erally in especially good condition. It was of sufficient capacity for all stores, except lumber and iron. Quartermaster supplies are stored in other places as follows: In the basement of the general mess hall, lumber in basement of barrack, and oil in a frame oil house.

The value of quartermaster stores (current supplies) on hand on June 30, 1902, was reported as $13,094.75. Property accountability is by receipts. It is inspected by committees, and is issued only upon approved requisitions. Worn-out property is submitted to an inspector-general for action, and lost or destroyed property is submitted for the action of a board of survey. Inventories are said to be