bedding and bunks are reported in good condition and the bathing facilities generally ample. Recruiting parties are messed under contract. The minimum cost of one meal is reported as 143 cents, and the maximum as 35 cents. The food is habitually reported of good quality and sufficient in quantity, and, so far as reported, a record of messing is kept. As to productiveness, the reports of 67 stations show a total of 69,360 applications, and of this number 16,243 were accepted and 53,117 rejected. This gives a ratio of more than three rejections to one accepted recruit. Last year for every applicant accepted a little less than three were rejected. So the increased rejections may be accepted as an indication of the exercise of the utmost watchfulness on the part of recruiting officers and an improved class of recruits as compared with the previous year, when the demand for men was somewhat more pressing. At four of these stations 50 per cent or more of the applicants were accepted. These were Dayton, Ohio, Des Moines, Iowa, Dallas, Tex., and Little Rock, Ark. At all other stations 50 per cent or more of the applicants were rejected, The usual causes of rejection, consisting of minors, under size, impaired vision, intemperance, general unfitness, defective teeth, defective chest, defective spine, defective hearing, heart trouble, poor physique, eczema, under height, under weight, imperfect knowledge of English, over age, varicose veins, varicocele, rupture, married, unable to furnish reference, flat feet and hammer toes, aliens, and illiteracy have been reported. Of the accepted recruits the reports indicate that about 85 per cent were native and 15 per cent foreign born, which gives a ratio of native to foreign born recruits of 5.6 to 1. As compared with the preceding year, these figures indicate a slight increase in native recruits. The foreign-born recruits come from Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, France, Switzerland, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Austria, Russia, Denmark, and Bohemia. Of the foregoing countries, three-fourths of all the foreign-born recruits are credited to Ireland, Germany, and England, and of these three nationalities Irish and German are reported in almost equal numbers, with about half as many English. Of 11,879 accepted recruits, 1,960 were reported as minors, 8,879 between 21 and 30, 1,015 between 30 and 40, and 25 over 40 years of age. Among some of the occupations represented by accepted recruits are the following, in the order of predominance, viz: Laborers, farmers, soldiers, clerks, machinists, painters, carpenters, printers, shoemakers, cooks, blacksmiths, barbers, bakers, tailors, engineers, cigar makers, druggists, and dentists. The recommendation of Lieut. Col. C. H. Heyl, National cemeteries. inspector-general, in his report of inspection of the national cemetery, Arlington, Va., That a list of the known dead in this and the various national cemeteries be catalogued in alphabetical order and printed in pamphlet form as a War Department document for circulation, evidently merits favorable consideration, as this information in a compact and convenient form would meet a long-felt want. Lieut. Col. Philip Reade, inspector-general of volunteers, in reference to the Custer Battlefield National Cemetery, states That authority be granted to plow, manure, harrow, and seed the inclosure not occupied by graves, and that a water plant be established, to cost about $3,500, to pump water from the Little Big Horn River and thus water the inclosure. It is also recommended that the place where General Custer fell be marked with a soft iron-malleable, hence nonbreakable-post, with suitable inscription. This spot has never been marked, although it was erroneously reported to have been formerly marked by a marble stone, the last vestige of which is erroneously reported to have been carried away six or seven years ago by relic hunters. Fifty-eight per cent of the national cemeteries were inspected during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1901, under the biennial system of inspections as prescribed in A. R. 967. There are four grades of pay for superintendents, as follows: $720, $780, $840, and $900 per annum. Of 39 superintendents, the reports show that 13 receive $75, 12 receive $70, 6 receive $65, and 8 receive the minimum rate of $60 per month. They are generally reported efficient and of good habits, and the excellent appearance of many of the cemeteries, lodges, grounds, etc., is an indication of the painstaking care and attention bestowed by the superintendents. The amount of funds allowed for the hire of labor in the care of the grounds is reported inadequate in some instances, and in others a higher rate of pay for labor is desired. The inclosures are generally reported in good condition. They consist of stone walls, brick walls, wire fence, iron fence, picket fence, and hedge. With a few exceptions, the graves are reported as receiving proper care and are in good condition. The national cemetery, Arlington, Va., is said to contain room for 150,000 more graves. Some of the headstones are reported in need of cleaning and some are out of line; with these exceptions, their care and condition are reported as satisfactory. Arlington, Va., and Hampton, Va., are reported as having the highest annual rate of interment, the figures being 354 and 200 per annum, respectively. Some of the lodges are in need of painting and repairs, others are reported in excellent condition; the number of rooms in the lodges range from 3 to 17. Flagstaffs, of iron and wood, with a few exceptions, are in good condition; a few of them are said to be too short. The quality and sufficiency of the water supply and condition of drainage and sewerage are generally reported as fairly satisfactory. In some cases the supply of water is not sufficient for irrigating purposes. The reports indicate that the average estimated cost of maintaining a cemetery for one year, including the pay of the superintendent, is about $1,800. NATIONAL PARKS. In compliance with instructions of the Secretary of War, contained in letter of the Adjutant-General of July 17, 1900, Lieut. Col. C. H. Heyl, inspector-general, visited and inspected the following national parks on the dates named, viz: National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pa., August 2 to 4, 1900; Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Lytle, Ga., October 15 to 17, 1900; Shiloh National Military Park, Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., October 19 and 20, 1900, and Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, Miss., October 22 and 23, 1900. United States Penitentiary. MILITARY PRISONS. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1901, an inspection was made of the military prisoners confined in the United States Penitentiary at Fort Leavenworth, Kans. There were 49 military prisoners in confinement at the time of inspection, who, on being questioned separately, unanimously expressed themselves as well satisfied with their treatment by the prison authorities, and everything indicated that they were in good health and well cared for. The deputy warden specially in charge of the military prisoners stated that they were the best-behaved prisoners in the institution, and showed more inclination to occupy their time than any of the others; and that they were studious, and made every effort to receive credit for good-time conduct. There is a library of 6,000 volumes for the use of the prisoners, and the police of the premises and the buildings was reported good. This inspection showed a very satisfactory condition of the United States Penitentiary, and reflects credit upon the military prisoners, as well as upon the officers who are charged with caring for them. A special inspection was made of the military prison Alcatraz Island. at Alcatraz Island, California, as to the capacity and availability of buildings, employment, exercise, privileges, special instruction, mental and moral recreation, and food of the prisoners, and as to special prison regulations and methods. As a great number of prisoners are brought from the Philippines for confinement at Alcatraz Island, the construction of a new prison was found necessary; and at the time of inspection both the old and new prisons were in use, the new one having then but recently been completed. The old one, which was reported as unsafe and unfit, had a capacity for 166 prisoners. The new prison appears to be fairly satisfactory, and has a capacity for 304 prisoners. There was not then work enough to keep the prisoners fully employed, but this seems to have been remedied soon afterwards, and ample hours were allotted for exercise. The recreations consisted in going to chapel, reading and writing letters, and access to a library of 1,200 volumes on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. The chapel is fitted with desks for use as a schoolroom and writing room. It was reported that the prisoners appeared to be well fed and well cared for; and those questioned on the subject expressed themselves as well satisfied with the ration furnished. The rules and regulations governing the institution appear to be sufficient and proper, and it was reported that they seemed to be well carried out and the prisoners treated with justice. Those of the prisoners whose conduct is good are not required to march in lock step. This prison, located in the city of Manila, P. I., was Cuartel España. also inspected during the year. It receives prisoners from the Sixth Artillery, from trial by brigade summary court officer, from general hospitals, from the Signal Corps, and from enlisted men belonging to all organizations in and around Manila when it is impracticable to confine them at the station of their commands. The prison was reported as being generally satisfactory, and in a good state of police. At the time of inspection there were 45 prisoners in confinement, of whom only 16 were serving out sentences. The others were either awaiting trial or had been tried and were awaiting sentence. There is a hospital in connection with this prison, which was reported as in excellent condition, and supplied with all necessary appliances. The patients are subsisted on an allowance of 40 cents a day, which is said to be sufficient. United States mili P. I. The United States military prison at Lingayen P. I., tary prison, Lingayen, was inspected near the close of the fiscal year, and at the time of inspection 254 prisoners were in confinement there-38 general, 1 civilian, 39 garrison, and 176 native prisoners. The Americans and natives are subsisted in separate messes. There was no system of recreation. The prison was reported well organized and conducted, well policed, and the grounds in good condition, and the prisoners had no complaint to make about their treatment. No merit book was kept for the native prisoners so they might be given credit for good conduct as the white prisoners were, but this has been remedied since the inspection. The prison, it was said, had been much improved through the efforts of the officer in charge, and mostly by the labor of the prisoners. The prisoners make bamboo furniture, which is disposed of at. weekly sales, and it was stated that a fund would be established with the proceeds of this labor. The hospital connected with the prison was reported in good condition and generally satisfactory. COMMISSARY SALES LIST. The law, Revised Statutes, 1144, imposes upon this department the duty of designating articles to be kept for sale by the Subsistence Department to officers and enlisted men. Our Government is very liberal in supplying the wants of the soldier, but too much care can not be exercised in designating articles to be kept for sale by the Subsistence Department; otherwise there may be great accumulation of articles which there will be no sale for, especially in our new possessions. It would seem advisable to have a separate list of articles for sale in the Tropics. A great many articles which were recommended by this office have been dropped on the present list. In addition to articles which are components of the ration the following list of articles to be kept for sale by the Subsistence Department was approved by the Secretary of War June 13, 1901: The following is an extract from an indorsement on this subject submitted by me to the Lieutenant-General Commanding the Army: Though in the exile and hardships of our soldiers few net expenditures by the Government have added so much as generous commissary supplies to all that makes life under such circnmstances endurable, and also insured confidence that their Government was solicitous in caring for them always, certainly the administration of the law has now fallen into experienced, discreet, and generous hands, and it will be a pleasure for this Bureau to aid as far as power and opportunity is given under the law. * * * The experience of many years has proved that the Quartermaster's Department can transport such articles readily to all garrisons, especially wherever there is steam transportation, and the mere multiplication of brands should not be allowed to confuse this possibility. Therefore the brands and varieties should be fairly limited in each post or battalion. These brands can perhaps be wisely limited to three for each article for a battalion and six for a department and only the best be furnished. Great praise has been justly bestowed upon the excellence and variety of the subsistence stores when they arrived in Pekin, China, and such a godsend can be fully appreciated even if not frequently so needed; but evidently the comfort and equal condition at the varied stations at which the soldiers serve may (as our recent volunteers and these beleaguered people found) depend largely upon how this considerate law is administered. The law, for example, authorizes the sale of tobacco, and what prices were paid for it in private barter at San Juan Hill became generally talked about; but ought it to be allowed to deprive the soldier who does not use tobacco of the articles he needs? Similarly as to the simplest necessities, like salt or soap, which by repeated mention may make the list look large, * * * and such a comfort to the recruit as candy, need not be furnished in a dozen or more varieties. * * * * * * * * * At Manila, it is understood, a large number of articles were placed on the sales list in addition to these formerly designated-possibly without reference to or recommendation from this Bureau, but upon grounds deemed sufficient. Col. G. H. Burton, inspector-general, Department of Cuba, remarks as follows upon the subject of articles to be kept for sale by the Subsistence Department to officers and enlisted men: The following is a list of the articles for which there is the most demand in this department and the percentage of loss by condemnation during the last three months: |