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FIRE PROTECTION.

At all the Branches the means of fire protection seemed adequate and generally in good condition, and the fire companies were well drilled and alert. The fire departments of the various Branches stood with fair general credit the test of a thorough inspection and trial. There were no fires at any of the Branches during the year for which the fire departments were called out.

HOUSING.

There are at all the Branches now occupied a total of 117 barracks, and so far as reported they are all occupied by more members than they were originally intended to accommodate, except at the Danville Branch, which is a new one and not yet full. A large number of the barracks have basements, but at only two of the Branches were there any men (430) sleeping in the basements, and none were sleeping on floors anywhere; but at all but two of the Branches there were men (1,458) sleeping in attics. All the Branches had vacant beds in barracks, ranging in number from 16 at the Marion Branch to 290 at the Danville Branch, and the aggregate of such beds at all the Branches was 918, as against 627 at the previous inspection, an increase of 291. These vacant beds will all be filled in the winter, when many members who have been away return to the Branches.

FOOD.

The facilities for cooking and serving meals seemed generally satisfactory and adequate, and with but few exceptions the dining halls and kitchens were as neat and clean as could be expected or desired. At none of the Branches are the dining-room facilities sufficient for seating all the members at once, tables having to be set twice, or oftener, at each Branch. The aggregate seating capacity of the dining halls at all of the Branches is only 9,076, while the average population present was 20,501. The seating capacity of these dining halls ranges from 560 at the Pacific Branch to 2,044 at the Central Branch. The facilities seemed every where to be ample for receiving and taking care of supplies. Two Branches now have barracks in which the most aged members are quartered by themselves, with a special diet suited to their age and infirmities. Similar barracks are being constructed or are under contemplation at several other Branches.

THE SICK.

The records show that during the past fiscal year the average daily number of sick was 2,110 in hospital, 635 in convalescent quarters, and 464 in barracks or sick call. This is about 15.6 per cent of the average daily present, as against about 20 per cent for the previous year. The number of patients treated during the year was reported as 27,250, as against 26,438 for the previous year.

There were 1,681 deaths during the year, as against 1,752 for the preceding year; and the average age at death was 67.38 years, as against 68.42 for the fiscal year 1901, a decrease of 0.96 of a year. The death rate per thousand of the average present and absent was 58.53, as against 66.26 for the previous year; and the death rate per thousand of the whole number cared for was 49.61.

The following table, showing the number of deaths, the death rate

per thousand of the whole number cared for, and the average age at death, since 1896, may be useful for purposes of comparison:

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Former recommendations for a medical director are renewed, as being necessary to obtain uniform and the best administration for the large number of sick.

DISBURSEMENTS, ETC.

A careful examination of the records, disbursements, and accounts. of the Home was made. This included the general, pension, post, and special funds, and the transfers made between the different officers, making an examination of books and papers of no small proportions, which involved an aggregate of $12,892,311.77, being an increase of $1,389,471.76 over last year. The following is a tabulation of the

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This balance was all accounted for and found to be on deposit with the assistant treasurer of the United States, New York City, N. Y., and in designated United States depositories, except the sum of $789.24 cash on hand.

The transactions in the special funds in the custody of the president of the Board of Managers for the period from October 17, 1901, to October 18, 1902, were as follows:

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The balance, consisting of $17,000 in bonds and $13,739.52 on deposit, were with the Colonial Trust Company, of New York. In addition to these deposits the sum of $286.77 was kept in cash on hand.

CONCLUSION.

In concluding this report I desire to acknowledge the courteous treatment extended to me during the inspection by both the General and the Branch officers of the Home, all of whom seem imbued with great zeal and earnestness in the performance of their several duties and to have the best interests of the Home at heart.

Except as noted in this report and in the supplementary reports on the Branches in the appendix, the affairs of the Home in general were found in good and satisfactory condition. Respectfully submitted.

THOS. T. KNOX, Lieutenant-Colonel, Inspector-General.

The INSPECTOR-GENERAL UNITED STATES ARMY.

[First indorsement.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, INSPECTOR-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, December, 12 1902.

The accompanying report of inspection of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers by Lieutenant-Colonel Knox, of this department, is respectfully forwarded to the Secretary of War, as required by law, under his instructions of June 6-October 10, 1902. Two ex-presidents of the board, Gen. W. B. Franklin and Gen. William J. Sewell, have terminated their connection with it--one by death and the other by termination of service. How greatly beneficial their services proved through a long course of years deserves the deepest recognition and to be constantly remembered.

The Home is now composed of ten distinct Branches, in different States, established in the following order: Eastern, Central, Northwestern, Southern, Western, Pacific, Marion, Danville, Mountain, and Battle Mountain Sanitarium, the latter two not yet in operation.

The total population on June 30, 1902, including all the Branches, was 27,205, of whom 19,404 were present and 7,801 absent a net gain of 764 during the year. The average number cared for was 27,070. A gain of 490 was made in the average present at the Home during the year. The average age was 63.90 years. There were 413 civilian employees-male, 293; female, 120.

The average daily number of sick was 2,110 in hospital, 635 in convalescent quarters, and 464 in barracks. There were 1,681 deaths during the year, and the average age at time of death was 67.38 years. The number of deaths has increased since 1896 over 40 per cent, though the rate per thousand has not increased so greatly.

An examination of disbursements, including the general, pension, post, and special funds, with transfers made between the different officers and involving an aggregate of $12,892,311.77, was made, this being $1.389.471.76 more than last year.

J. C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Inspector-General.

APPENDIX A.

SUBREPORTS CONCERNING THE SEVERAL BRANCH HOMES.

No. 1.-REPORT OF AN INSPECTION OF THE EASTERN BRANCH, MADE JULY 16 TO 21, 1902.

Post-office.

Local manager.

Officers.

National Home, Togus, Me.

Gen. John Marshall Brown, Portland, Me., whose term as a member of the Board of Managers expires in 1908.

The officers of the Home at the time of my inspection were: Governor, Col. S. H. Allen; treasurer, Maj. A. L. Smith; quartermaster, Capt. W. H. Anderson; commissary of subsistence, with charge of the post fund, Capt. S. J. Gallagher; surgeon, Maj. W. E. Elwell. Since my inspection last year, Captain Gallagher, who was then doing the duty of quartermaster and commissary of subsistence, has been relieved of the duties of quartermaster by the appointment of Captain Anderson to that position, retaining his duties as commissary, and placed in charge of the post fund. This was a necessary rearrangement and a beneficial change for the interest of the Branch. Interest and harmony seem to prevail among the officers, as well as a desire to promote the welfare of the Home. It was found in a very satisfactory condition.

Grounds.

The reservation belonging to this Branch is much larger in area than any of the others, and contains in all 1,884 acres. Its attractiveness and beauty make it an object of interest to the residents of Augusta, Me., and the neighboring country, from which there is now an easy access, by steam and electric transportation, that brings large crowds of visitors to hear the concerts and enjoy the grounds. The deer park, which might almost be termed a zoological garden, consists of a number of deer, elk, four monkeys, two black bear, a large number of rabbits and guinea pigs, and furnishes a constant source of interest and amusement to many of the members and visitors. New sentry boxes have been placed around the grounds, for the protection of the guard from the severe and inclement weather, which are much appreciated by the old members who have to do the guard duty.

In order to prevent the main road through the grounds, which is a county road, from continuing to be a main public thoroughfare, a new road, located east of the camp and well removed from any of the buildings, has been constructed and is to be offered to the county, to be used as a public road in lieu of the former one. When the new road is accepted much of the public travel will be diverted from the buildings of the Home grounds. This new road is nearly 1 mile in length, well constructed, and will cost about $4,200, and will connect the Rockland and Thomaston roads.

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A stone-crushing plant has been established at a cost of $2,350, consisting of storage bins, rock crusher, one 15-horsepower boiler and engine, capable of crushing 120 tons of stone per day. Other plans have been prepared for improving and beautifying the grounds by building roads, planting trees, etc., especially the "meadow" and road passing the new electric-road station. The improvement of the meadow will require the widening, deepening, and straightening of the channel of the Greely Pond Brook, which passes through it, the enlarging of its outlets as there is a fall of some 18 feet from the general level of the Home to the mouth of the stream-or the building of an embankment to keep out the water during the spring rise. The high water has always been a serious problem at this Branch, and gave trouble last spring, as is usual nearly every spring, carrying away the earth at both ends of the stone wall at the reservoir, and causing such damage that it was necessary to tear down and rebuild the wall. The solution of the problem of keeping out the high water is troublesome, and the proposed plan of an embankment for the improvement of the meadow may be difficult, as it is thought that a firm foundation for an embankment can not well be found when it is remembered that extensive piling was required for the foundations of the buildings on the edge of the meadow.

Although expensive, but not so much so as the embankment, probably the best method is to deepen the outlet of Greely Pond Brook.

When completed, these improvements will add much to the appearance of the grounds, and if anticipations are realized much available ground for buildings and other improvements will be secured.

The grading of a plot of ground for a new cemetery, with the necessary approaches, driveways, and walks, is now in progress at a cost of $3,000.

Buildings.

The buildings presented an attractive appearance at this Branch and were generally found to be in a good condition, but in the barracks in the old buildings the walls and floors were not satisfactory, and owing to the deficient ventilation it is difficult to make satisfactory barracks of them. Some of the very objectionable closets formerly referred to have been replaced by new ones, but a few of the old ones still remain. During the last fiscal year new quarters have been built and furnished for the commissary of subsistence at a cost of $5,500 and new refrigerator and cold-storage rooms built at a cost of $4,600. The governor's offices, the front of the hospital, Company G barracks, and the nurses' quarters have been repainted.

The improvements contemplated for the current year consist in a new canteen, a new conservatory, a barrack building to accommodate 200 men, and a guard barrack.

The following improvements have been asked for in the estimate for appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1904: Quartermaster's storehouse and equipment, at $25,000; paint shop, at $1,000; gateways and lodges for main entrances, at $5,264; barn, at $10,000; greenhouse, at $12,000; repairs to hospital boiler room including chimney, at $4,000.

Population.

The average present and absent during the year was 2,767, an increase of 10 over last year; and of these 2,188 were the average present at the Home, or 4 less than the average present last year. The total number present and

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