For the year ending October 31, 1891, the coal bill was. .$826 88 825 20 The average of these eight years was $767.12. During the period covered by the figures given above the institution was heating about 800,000 cubic feet of space, and the firing was done in the ordinary way. At this time the stokers described above were put in. The coal bill dropped to $537.71 for the year ending October 31, 1893. The next year it was $502.91. For the year ending October 31, 1895, it was $606.29. The average for these three years, after the stokers were put in, when the conditions were the same, was $548.97, a saving of $218.15 per year. This was, in round numbers, one-half the cost of the stokers for the two boilers. A new building was completed at this time, which is about three-fifths as large as the main building, giving a combined capacity of 1,300,000 cubic feet. The cost of heating the two buildings by years from October 31, has been as follows: For the year ending October 31, 1896.. For the year ending October 31, 1898. $573 54 634 68 646 69 825 92 725 80 1,313 06 1,227 59 Prior to the last two years the cheap grade of coal used was delivered in the boiler-house at less than $1 per ton. For the year 1901, $1.24 per ton was paid, and during the year ending October 31, 1902, $1.15 was paid. It should be added that during the past year the institution has made its own light by means of a large dynamo, and that this has effected a saving of several hundred dollars. At the present time coal is costing $1.50 per ton, and it is probable that the coal bill for the next year will be in the neighborhood of $1,500, but when it is remembered that a million and one-third cubic feet of space is kept perfectly warm and comfortable for a body of students and children, that the institution is running a dynamo and making its own electric light, and that the bathrooms are constantly supplied with an abundance of hot water, it will be seen that this is being done at a very low cost. A careful study of the subject makes it clear to me that the following advantages have resulted from the use of the stokers: We have a steadier fire and a more uniformly heated building. We have secured a combustion of the coal so nearly perfect as to leave not to exceed 10 per cent. of the former amount of smoke to issue from the smokestack. Our fireman is not kept so constantly at the boilers, and our coal bills have been reduced from 20 to 25 per cent. EDUCATIONAL TAX LEVY. The educational tax levy of one-sixth of a mill on each dollar of taxable property for the maintenance of Purdue University, Indiana University, and the State Normal School, was provided for by an act of the Legislature of 1895. Since that time the attend ance of students at all of these institutions has so increased that the present revenues are not sufficient for present needs. This method of providing funds for the maintenance of these institutions is, in the opinion of the Committee, satisfactory to both the institutions and the State. Recognizing the need for larger income, the Committee recommends that the present law providing for the educational tax levy be amended so that each institution will receive an amount sufficient to meet its increasing demands for the accommodation of students and for facilities for instruction. WATER SYSTEMS. The supply and distribution of water at many of the State institutions furnishes a problem difficult of solution. The Committee has recommended in this report certain appropriations for im provement to water systems providing that the amounts be placed at the disposal of the Governor, to be used after a careful investigation of the best means of supplying and distributing water. The Committee regards the system at the Northern Hospital for Insane, at Logansport, as a model and worthy of careful study by any institution contemplating improvements in its system. GENERAL MANAGEMENT. The general management of the institutions is worthy of commendation. While mistakes have been made in some, the general conditions are in advance of the conditions existing two years ago. Better systems of book-keeping have been introduced in some instances, and the practice of closing the year's business with deficits. has been entirely abolished, and it is to be hoped never to be renewed. The Committee desires to express its thanks to the Boards and officials of the State institutions and departments for their willingness to furnish information in its investigations, and for their assistance in adjusting the needs of the institutions and departments, also for the many courtesies shown during its visits. Respectfully submitted, FREMONT GOODWINE, 37-Senate Journal. TABLE OF COMPARISONS OF APPROPRIATIONS MADE BY THE LEGISLATURE WITH REQUESTS FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE YEARS RECOMMENDATIONS OF a. Of this amount there was derived from educational tax levy, $66,900.00; from fees, etc., $38.796.80; b.-Of this amount there was derived from educational tax levy, $67.650 00; from city of Terre Haute, c. Of this amount there was derived from educational tax levy, $90,200.00; from interest on endowetc., $8,861.01. d.-This amount includes $10,000.00 for maintenance, for immediate use, for current year. OF 1901 FOR THE YEARS ENDING OCTOBER 31, 1902, AND OCTOBER 31, 1903, from interest on endowment fund, $17,000.00; from interest on Morrill fund, $25,000.00. $830.32: from sale of plants, etc., $13.00; from library fees, etc., $5,088.25. ment fund, $21,500.00; interest on university bonds, $7,200.00; interest on college loans, $2,000.00; from fees, |