65 per cent. of that in 1884. At this rate there will probably be at the end of this year 128,000 miles-a much smaller increase than in any year since 1877. It is very gratifying to be able to state that in all cases the necessary transportation has been promptly given for these examinations, and the most courteous treatment rendered by all the railway officers with whom I came in contact and from whom information was requested. Respectfully, General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, Commisssoner of Railroads. THOS. HASSARD, REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF LABOR, Washington, D. C., September 24, 1885. SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the operations of this office for the year ending June 30, 1885. The Bureau of Labor was established by act of Congress approved June 27, 1884, which provided for the appointment of a Commissioner of Labor by the President, and a Chief Clerk to be appointed by the Honorable Secretary of the Interior, and such employés as might be necessary to conduct the work of the Bureau. No officers were appointed, however, until January, 1885, when, under a commission received from the President, I assumed the duties of Commissioner of Labor, January 31, and on the 3d day of February Mr. Oren W. Weaver was appointed Chief Clerk. On the 4th of February I sent a communication to the Honorable Secretary, outlining what seemed to me to be the true policy under which to conduct the operations of the Bureau of Labor. The principal features of this policy were, that any mistake more likely than others to be committed in administering the affairs of a bureau of this nature, would be in undertaking to recognize parties as parties, and to award so much in turn to each, a course which would almost inevitably lead to jealousy and dissatisfaction; that the office should be strong enough simply to consider the body of citizens and to refuse to recognize or entertain consideration of party; that the Bureau should be so distinctively and decisively disconnected from politics, and from dependence on organizations, whether of workingmen or of employers, and from the support of economic theories, individual views, or class interests, as to command the moral support of the whole body of citizens, and thus receive the co-operation of all men of all occupations and of all degrees, without reference, however, either to their degrees or their occupations. In declaring the policy of the Bureau, I further stated that any individuals or associations of individuals, whether of labor or of capital, which should seek more than this policy indicated, must be considered as wanting the work of the Bureau to conform to adopted theories or to be influential in shaping special ends; that it should be remembered that a Bureau of Labor cannot solve social or industrial problems, nor bring direct returns, in a material way, to the citizens of a country, but that its work must be classed among educational efforts, and thus by judicious investigations and the fearless publication of the results thereof it might and should enable the people to more clearly and more fully comprehend many of the problems which are vexing them. I am happy to inform you that this policy, generally, has been ap proved throughout the country. On the 11th of February rooms were obtained for the use of the Bureau in the Kellogg Building, 1416 F street, and the balance of the month was spent in fitting them up and in preparing for the work of the year. On the 11th of March, I had the honor to submit for your approval an outline of the work of the Bureau for the present year. This outline related to the investigation of the question of industrial depressions, involving a study of their character, their causes, whether contemporaneous in the great producing countries of the world, and whether, as to duration, severity, and periodicity, they are alike in such countries. Such an investigation included the question of the influence of depressions on the cost of living, the extent to which industries are involved, and the cost of production as influenced by the use of machinery; the difference in the rates of wages in like industries in different localities of the United States; the influence of climate and taxes on the rates of wages, and the cost of living; the relation of distribution and transportation to depressions; the effects of foreign immigration and the employment of foreign contract labor; what industrial, commercial, and financial conditions have preceded depressions, and, in fact, the classification of the alleged causes of depressions and the influence of such causes. This plan necessitated the most arduous services, and contemplated the employment of a force of special agents to conduct the investigation. You did me the honor to approve the proposed plan on March 17, and I at once arranged a schedule of inquiries and instructions for the use of special agents. Between March 17 and June 27, twenty special agents were selected and appointed to carry on the investigation outlined, and at the close of the fiscal year fifteen of these agents were actively employed in the United States, and five in the great producing countries of Europe in collecting information called for in the instructions. The results of the investigation as outlined will be embodied in the first annual report of the Bureau of Labor, which I trust can be submitted to you early in the coming year. The appropriation for the year ending June 30, 1885, was ample for the fitting up of the Bureau, and the purchase of technical and other books sufficient for the foundation of a valuable special library, for the employment of the special agents, and for all other necessary expenses, while nearly $9,000 were covered into the Treasury. The appropriation for the year ending June 30, 1886, was voluntarily increased over that of the year before by Congress, and so far as I am able to judge will be sufficient for the first full year's work of the Bureau. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CARROLL D. WRIGHT, The Hon. the SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. REPORT OF THE FREEDMEN'S HOSPITAL. FREEDMEN'S HOSPITAL, Washington, D. C., September 21, 1885. SIR: I respectfully submit the annual report of this hospital for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885. During the year there have been 2,020 patients admitted and treated; 1,295 were colored, 725 were white. Of the colored 676 were males, 619 females. Of the white 611 were males, 114 females. The whole number admitted was 1,794, an increase of 285 over last year. The average admissions were 149 per month. The accompanying tables will set forth the conditions and the diseases for which patients were admitted and treated. Tables A and B show the causes of death, and the number of deaths in ten days after admission. During the year there were 120 surgical operations performed. They were uniformly successful. I will mention the principal ones: Amputation of thigh, 2; of leg, 4; of foot, 2; of fingers, 2; of toes, 5; reduction of dislocations of shoulder, 3; of fibula, 1; of tibia, 1; of fingers, 2; removal of fatty tumors, 6; of malignant tumor, 1; of necrosed bone of nose, 1; of necrosed tibia, 1; of caries of rib, 1; of cicatrix of flexure of elbow, 1; of neuroma, 1; of epulis, 1; resection of metacarpal bone, 1; extirpation of tonsils, 1; paracentesis abdominis, 3; skin grafting, 1; cataract, 2; strangulated inguinal hernia, 2; fistula in ano, 1; urethrotomy, 7; phimosis, 1; paraphimosis, 1; setting of fractured clavicle, 1; of malar bone, 1; of compound comminuted fracture of inferior maxillary, 1; of humerus, 1; of forearm, 4; of compound fracture of forearm, 1; of radius, 1; of condyles of humerus, 1; of femur, 4; of leg, 3; of compound comminuted fracture of leg, 1; of toes, 2; of fibula, 1; of compound fracture of tibia, 1; of ribs, 6; gunshot wounds, 18. There were 92 cases of confinement; 6 were white, 86 colored—an increase of 15 during the year. The table marked C contains a full list of the injuries, surgical cases, and diseases. Table D shows the occupations of the patients. The table marked E will show the nativity of the patients. The table marked F will show the monthly admissions. About 230 ex-soldiers have been admitted and treated. This class of cases comes from all parts of the country to look after claims; many become sick, and, upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Pensions, are admitted to the hospital. A large percentage of the admissions are upon the recommendation of the police. From this source 681 were admitted. Many apply directly to the hospital for admission, others are recommended by the physicians of the city, by the associated charities, and other charitable enterprises. All cases, how ever, are inspected by the physicians of the hospital, and if worthy and proper are admitted. During the year, upon the recommendation of the secretary of the board of managers of the National Soldiers' Home, 53 ex soldiers, who were delayed in the city for a few days, waiting transportation, were received. For these cases a small compensation is paid by the board sufficient to meet the cost of keeping them. The amount for last year was $69.20. Of this $38.40 has been paid, and the balance will be paid, as usual, December 31. During the year 117 cases were treated for conditions arising from alcoholism. I have endeavored to confine the admission of this class of cases to those needing medical treatment. Many apply for admission, merely seeking a place to stay while the effect of their debauchery wears off. Most of the cases admitted have been of a serious nature. We have, however, had only one death, which resulted from congestion of he brain. The patient was in the hospital only twenty-four hours, and was really dying when admitted. In my report of last year, I called attention to the management and treatment of this class of cases. I expressed myself as opposed to inebriate asylums, and did not believe they would accomplish much; that diseased persons, those bordering upon mania a potu, should be admitted to a hospital and treated as any other patients; wheia the mind is permanently diseased the patient should be sent to an insane asylum; and that cases arising from habit, desire, and a general tendency to debauchery should be treated as misdemeanors against the community, and punishment should be imposed, not by fine, but by confinement, and the party be compelled to work to meet the expense of his keep. An additional year's experience has not caused any modification of my views. I think these methods of management are correct. These are riot cases to waste sentiment upon. The best preventive treatment is to make the obtaining of liquor difficult. Sellers should be made responsible it they sell to persons who are addicted to drinking; they, too, should be punished by fine, and the privilege to sell liquor forfeited. Of the 100 cases treated in hospital only 12 were colored. 1 In the dispensary attached 2,879 persons have been prescribed for. As usual there has been a large number of consumptives admitted. During the year 105 cases were treated. The tortality has been large. As noted in my former reports, these cases seldom come to the Lospital until the disease has advanced so far as to render medical treatment of little avail. Still, many find comfort in being here, where they receive good nursing, food, and beds, and have cheerful surroundings. As will be seen by the table, the majority of these cases are colored. There is a growing belief that this class is more likely to have this disease than the whites. It is too early for any opinion to be formed in reference to it-the habits of each class differ too widely. The colored people have been, and are still, subjected to the worst moral and physical influences, the majority of them are entirely ignorant of the ordinary laws of health. Most of the cases that come under my notice are idiopathic. Many have consumption as the result of constitucions made feeble by the transmission of other diseases, especially syphilis. I find this disease a frequent sequel to pneumonia, which in this class ariss chiefly from the exposure to which they are subjected. It wil te years to decide whether these people are more disposed to tubercl any other class. Not until they are thoroughly educated, and en'y better facilities for the protection of health can the question be setted, and it is a subject of too much importance to admit of a hasty opinion being expressed. etlen |