Security of existing files, &c., against fire-risks, dust, and insects de mands that all present and future files should be put in suitable shectmetal file-boxes. Provision and orders for this should be made as soon as practicable. The necessity of providing files-room for the future is obvious to the most casual inspection in almost all of the Departments, and it is to be hoped ere long will lead Congress to provide for a scientifically planned fire-proof hall of records. Bat the current work in each Department will always demand the retention of large numbers of the more recent books and files. In view of this I renew the suggestions made in my annual report for 1885, viz: (1) That the areas of the two courts of this building be occupied by fire-proof, thoroughly ventilated, and top-lighted file-rooms, having floors level with sub-basement floor, and the roofs not to exceed a foot above the level of the present grass surface. (2) That filing without folding, which saves 20 per cent. of space and is much more easy of reference, should be practically considered by a proper board, required to recommend the sizes of paper and margins to be left best adapted for official use, so as to combine economy of material, work, and space with simplicity and completeness of form for binding and filing. The files-rooms in the Register's custody demonstrate the propriety of this, by the tons of paper, great rolls of immense sheets with not enough on each to fill a half page of foolscap, which must be thrust into holes of arbitrary sizes, to which the folding or rolling must be adapted. Nor would saving of files space be the only economy. The reduction of the weight of paper yearly used in the public offices of the Government would exceed 25 per cent. of the annual cost of stationery. It would not be just to close this report without saying in it that for the exceptional record of economy and efficiency exhibited in the operations of this office during the past fiscal year, as well as for valuable suggestions of improvements, I am largely indebted to the comprehensive and varied knowledge and long years of experience in the accountkeeping of the Treasury Department, and to the intelligence, zeal, and devotion to duty of my able and indefatigable assistant, Maj. Roswell A. Fish. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. DANIEL MANNING, W. S. ROSECRANS, Register. Secretary of Treasury. REORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE DIVISION OF CUSTOMS. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Washington, D. C., November 29, 1886. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that during the season of 1886 the Alaska Commercial Company took 99,980 fur-seal skins, and shipped the same to San Francisco, where the tax was paid, the tax being paid upon the number of skins as appeared by the count at the time of the shipment from the Seal Islands, and not, as has been the practice here. tofore, upon the count as made after their arrival at San Francisco. The Alaska Commercial Company has paid its annual rental up to the 1st of May, 1886, and, so far as known, has otherwise conformed to the conditions of its lease. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Washington, D. C., November 18, 1886. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the results of the work of the Division of Special Agents of the Treasury Department for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1886: Of these reports, 115 relate to smuggling, 263 to undervaluations, 82 to misconduct of customs officers, 231 to seizures, 115 to inspection of customs districts, 13 to arrests made, 21 to suits commenced, and 3,309 to miscellaneous subjects. The cost of the service for the last fiscal year as compared with the year 1885 is as follows: The reports of examinations of the several customs districts and special reports made from time to time show a general improvement in the methods of business and the discipline of the service. Careful attention is generally given to the details of current transactions by the heads of departments, resulting in the correction of many minor irregularities and increased efficiency in administration. A comparison of the receipts and expenses of each customs district for the last fiscal year with those of the previous fiscal year shows that, while the revenues have increased at nearly all of the important ports, the expenses have in most cases been reduced, and that an aggregate reduction of $568,575 was made in the expenses of these districts during the last fiscal year. The accompanying statement, No. 1, shows the number of employés and the expenses of collection in each customs district for the fiscal years 1885 and 1886. Statement No. 2 shows the business transacted in each customs district, including receipts and expenses and value of exports. Statement No. 3 shows the number of packages, with the invoice value and estimated duties thereon, forwarded without appraisement from and to the ports specified in the act of June 10, 1880, and acts amendatory thereof. Statement No. 4 shows the actual quantities and classification of sugars imported at the several ports during the last fiscal year. I am, very respectfully, Hon. DANIEL MANNING, Secretary of the Treasury. L. G. MARTIN, Supervising Special Agent. REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE DIVISION OF REVENUE MARINE. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Washington, D. C., November 1, 1886. SIR: I have the honor to make the following report in relation to the Revenue Marine: The performance of the regular duties of this Service has been continued with fidelity, energy, and freedom from disaster. Thirty-eight vessels, carrying a complement of 995 officers and men, have been employed during the past year. The following is a statistical statement of their work: Aggregate number of miles cruised by vessels.. Number of merchant vessels found violating law in some particular and seized or reported to proper authorities... Fines or penalties of vessels so seized or reported 344, 681 25, 304 1,688 $651, 199. 07 313 .... $6,738, 569.00 2,888 Value of vessels and their cargoes imperiled by the sea to which assistance was rendered.... Number of persons on board vessels assisted.. One hundred and fifty-four persons were picked out of the water and saved from drowning. In addition to the efficient guarding of the coasts of the United States, various special duties have been executed in a highly creditable manner. The revenue-marine steamer "Rush," commanded by Captain Hooper, was dispatched from San Francisco January 2, 1886, in search of the whaling bark Amethyst, reported lost, or in need of succor, in the ice in Behring Sea, and eruised for more than six weeks, covering a distance of 6,475 miles on this mission. Under the command of Captain Healy, the Revenue-Marine steamer Bear left San Francisco in May, visiting Ounalaska, the Pribylov Islands, and proceeding as far north as Point Barrow, in the Arctic Ocean. On her return, Lieutenant Stoney, United States Navy, and his exploring party, were received on board at Hotham Inlet, by request of the Navy Department. Twenty-five miners, without means of transportation, and two seamen from the whaling fleet in need of medical treatment, were also brought down from St. Michael's. Since the return of the Bear to San Francisco, in October, the result of her explorations seems to leave no hope of the survival of the Amethyst or any of her company. Under special orders to cruise in the waters of Alaska, and principally in the vicinity of the Seal Islands, the Revenue-Marine steamer Corwin, under the command of Captain Abbey, put to sea June 10, 1886. July 17 seizure was made of the schooner San Diego, and August 1 and 2 of the schooners Thornton, Carolena, and Onward, all engaged in the unlawful killing of seals. The parties engaged on board of these vessels were taken to Sitka, and there tried, convicted, and sentenced to fine and imprisonment. After visiting various points in Alaska, the Corwin returned to her station at Astoria. Other vessels of the Revenue-Marine fleet have proved their efficiency in scenes of trial and danger; the Dix, at Key West, at the time of the fire, rendered valuable aid in its suppression, sheltered and fed many homeless persons, guarded property from depredation, and preserved order; the McCulloch afforded shelter to one hundred and seventy persons immediately after the earthquake shocks at Charleston; the Penrose proceeded to Sabine Pass, Texas, shortly after the flood, for the rescue of those who had survived and the recovery of the remains of those who had perished, and distributed the supplies forwarded to relieve the destitute; the Woodbury, at the time of the recent fire at Eastport, Me., did good service in assisting and protecting the people of that place. Material assistance has been given, as customary, by the Revenue Marine to the Life-Saving Service. Boats, stores, and supplies have been transported and delivered. The distance cruised while performing these services aggregated 18,988 miles. The expenditure of the Revenue-Marine Service and the protection of seal-fisheries in Alaska for the year 1885 was $880,232.48. Several of the vessels of the Revenue-Marine fleet are now worn out by hard service, and should be replaced by new ones of improved construction. Suitable appropriations are needed, especially for a new vessel in place of the steamer McLane, lately withdrawn from Galveston as unseaworthy, and also for a steamer to replace one of those now on the New York station. Respectfully submitted. Hon. DANIEL MANNING, Secretary of the Treasury. PETER BONNETT, Chief Revenue-Marine Division. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. To the PRESIDENT: WAR DEPARTMENT, November 30, 1886. I have the honor to submit the following annual report of the administration of this Department: EXPENDITURES, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ESTIMATES. The expenditures of appropriations under direction of the Secretary of War, by requisition upon the Treasury, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, were as follows: .... $1,992, 469 95 Salaries, contingent expenses, stationery, rent, and postage.... Public works, including river and harbor improvements.. Tota!... 24, 297,500 58 6,294, 305 43 4,406, 627 92 36,990, 903 38 The sum of $1,208,016.46 pertaining to War Department appropriations was carried to the surplus fund June 30, 1886. The appropriations for the War Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, are: Salaries, contingent expenses, stationery, rent, and postage.. Total...... $1,972, 051 65 24,081, 768 21 16,723, 446 69 3,250,275 30 46,027,559 85 The estimates of the War Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, are as follows: Salaries, contingent expenses, stationery, and postage.. Total.... $2,116, 375 00 25,847, 689 57 17, 108, 106 76 3, 196, 664 48 48, 268, 835 81 |