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ganization, and on account of their very great numbers we must be in position to protect our vital interests and to exercise care that, while working harmoniously with the World War veterans, the interests of the Spanish War Veterans be protected in a practical manner. Comrades, the successes of this administration have been yours, and I have endeavored to carry on the work as you would have it done, — efficiently and progressively.

TIMOTHY W. KELLEY,
Department Commander.

On motion of Past Commander John S. Woodfin, Camp 16, seconded by Past Commander Royal W. Burgen, Camp 5, it was voted that the report of the Department Commander be accepted and the recommendations and request contained therein be adopted.

The Department Marshal, Abner B. Jubrey, escorted to the platform Comrade William L. Mattocks, official editor of the "National Tribune," of Washington, D. C., and G. E. Rausch, Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. W. V., of Washington, D. C.

Department Adjutant Dan D. Brothers read his report:

REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT ADJUTANT.

LAWRENCE, MASS., April 25, 1919.

Comrade TIMOTHY W. KELLY, Department Commander, Department of Massachusetts, U. S. W. V., Lawrence, Mass.

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SIR and COMRADE: The following is a report of the office of the Department Adjutant, Department of Massachusetts, U. S. W. V., term ending April 27, 1919. On entering upon the duties of this office I at once realized that it was not an empty, honorary office. It was at once apparent that intensive work would be necessary in order to properly maintain the interests of the Department of Massachusetts in our beloved organization. As to how I applied myself to the duties assigned me I shall leave for some one else to report or say.

My term of office has been one of genuine pleasure. After I had effected the necessary routine changes everything worked smoothly and harmoniously. Camps and Comrades responded to a degree that was a very great surprise to me after I had read the reports of my predecessors, complaining of lack of interest, lack of response, and so on. The reverse was the case with me. Camps and Comrades outdid each other in the matter of forwarding reports, remitting per capita tax, answering correspondence, etc. I wish it were possible for me to report individually on every Camp, and to personally thank Camp officers who co-operated so closely with me. Especially do I thank the Comrades of Camp 15, Lynn, who placed at my disposal the entire and very complete office facilities of the Camp for the carrying on of Headquarter's work. This enabled me to issue circular matter at a nominal expense, as the Camp owns a large mimeographing machine and a modern typewriter.

It was necessary for me to be at my desk daily, very often from morning until 10 P.M., and from five to seven days a week.

Correspondence was especially heavy. Aside from the thousands of circular letters sent out, 2,761 letters were individually written and 2,738 received. This does not include cards of the so-called "merit system," which was abolished at the first meeting of the Department Council of Administration.

Comrade Charles C. Donoghue, Camp 3, was appointed Department Publicity Aide, and, acting with this energetic Comrade, my success in the handling of press matter was all I could wish. I had a personal interview with Comrade J. Harry Hartley, military editor of the "Boston Globe," and Mr. Frank C. Brownell of the "Boston Herald." Both these gentlemen assured me of their friendship and interest in our organization, and promised me every consideration. They have kept absolute faith with me. Every bit of matter sent them was used. When Comrade Donoghue was appointed secretary to the Department Legislative Committee it obliged him to resign as Publicity Aide, but fortunately I was able to have the assistance of another Comrade who also served faithfully, Comrade Michael J. Desmond, Adjutant, Camp 4. I sincerely thank both these comrades for their assistance, kindness and courtesy to me.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

All moneys received were promptly deposited and accounts rendered to the Department Quartermaster, George P. Field, and have also been verified by the Department Auditing Committee. Expenditures during the term for the maintenance of the Department through headquarters follow: —

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Department Commander, National Encampment refund,

From sale of 1918 Department Encampment badges,

National Headquarters' refund, two copies of Rules and Regulations,

Interest, .

Total,

EXPENDITURES.

$143 87 1,631 54

1 01

15 00

17 00

55 80

4 00

5 96

$1,874 18

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Department Commander's expense, National Encampment,
National per capita tax,

100 00

784 25

Adjutant's compensation,

150 00

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Refund, Camp 18, excessive per capita tax remittance,

National Headquarters, two copies of Rules and Regulations,

8 00

50 00

45 00

6 25

2.75

4 00

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(a) I recommend that the Department accounts as submitted and kept by the Department Quartermaster be officially recognized as the report of the financial standing of the Department, expenditures, etc., and that the Department Adjutant be obliged to account for such expenditures as he personally makes by cash drawn on the Department Quartermaster instead of by checks drawn by and sent out by the Department Quartermaster.

(b) That the two old-style typewriters on hand at Department Headquarters be traded in exchange for a modern typewriter for the value they will bring, the balance to be drawn from the Department general fund.

DAN D. BROTHERS,
Department Adjutant.

On motion of Commander William T. Maguire, Camp 15, seconded by Comrade William H. Owens, Camp 11, it was voted that the report of the Department Adjutant be accepted and the recommendations adopted.

REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT CHIEF OF STAFF.

APRIL 26, 1919.

TIMOTHY W. KELLY, Department Commander, Department of Massachusetts,

U. S. W. V.

SIR AND COMRADE: I have the honor to submit a brief report of my work as Department Chief of Staff of the United Spanish War Veterans. I was very much pleased to receive this appointment from the Commander of the Spanish War Veterans of Massachusetts, and I have endeavored to carry it out in its fullest extent.

I have visited various camps in Massachusetts with the Commander and the rest of his staff, have kept in close touch with Department Headquarters in Boston, and with our Department Adjutant, and done everything that I could to advance the best interests of the Spanish War Veterans in Massachusetts. I had a resolution unanimously passed through the Cambridge city council endorsing the Veterans' Preference Act, which is now being enacted into law at the State House, and I have also rendered all the service possible at the State House and at other places in the State to help this wonderful piece of legislation to be enacted into law.

I was also chairman of a committee of three appointed by the Department Commander to draft suitable resolutions and show our feelings toward the veterans of the World War which are now in our midst. I also, in company with Walter J. Columbus, the Commander of Leslie F. Hunting Camp 12, Cambridge, helped to organize a camp of World War veterans in that city, and in that way cemented a spirit of friendship between the boys of this war and the men of the Spanish War. I want at this time to personally thank the Commander of this Department for appointing me to this high and honorable position, and I only wish that I could have been of more assistance to him and to all the Comrades of this Department.

I have endeavored at all times to uphold the prestige of our noble order, an organization which I believe stands for the very highest traditions in this Commonwealth, and one which every man who is eligible should immediately affiliate himself with.

In conclusion I want to say that I am always at the service of the Spanish War Veterans of Massachusetts wherever and whenever they call upon me.

Respectfully submitted,

WILLIAM M. HOGAN, Department Chief of Staff.

On motion of Past Commander George W. Baker, Camp 24, seconded by Past Commander John S. Woodfin, Camp 16, it was voted that the report of the Department Chief of Staff be accepted and the recommendation contained therein be adopted.

REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT INSPECTOR.

APRIL 25, 1919.

To the Officers and Comrades of the Department of Massachusetts, U. S. W. V. I have the honor to submit the following report as Department Inspector for the year ending April 25, 1919.

Owing to the great amount of sickness that prevailed last fall and winter a great hardship was forced upon those Comrades who were appointed as District Inspectors by the Department Commander, but thanks to their indomitable spirit they concluded their inspection duties. They are worthy of much praise, especially those who so kindly donated their services and expenses to the organization, and the Department feels very grateful and deeply indebted to them.

It is this sort of spirit and devotion that has placed our beloved organization on the high pinnacle it occupies to-day.

I most respectfully recommend that steps be taken by the incoming Department Commander to procure a charter for the Camp now operating without one.

The appended report shows the condition of the Department, and by close attention and study the Comrades who are interested may see just how our organization is progressing. They can also see where our weak points are, as some of them stand out very prominently, namely, the number of quartermasters who are not bonded; the number of cases where funds are not kept in the Camp's name; the number of Camps not having their accounts audited.

I also found a number of Camps without the necessary set of by-laws. This, of course, is wrong, as it is very essential that each and every Camp have its own bylaws in order to conduct its affairs properly.

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