seems to be to exact from the Government as a buyer prices 50 per cent above true values. The report of the chief commissary states the total quantity of the relief supplies which were shipped to Porto Rico in aid of the sufferers from effects of the devastating hurricane of August, 1899. The cost of these supplies purchased by the Commissary Department was $824,828.12. To this may be added $6,652.04, the invoice price of the articles issued by post commissaries early in August to relieve acute distress, making the total value of subsistence supplied through the Subsistence Department $831,480.16. In a report on the military government of Porto Rico which I am now preparing I shall treat of this matter of hurricane relief at length, and therefore make no further reference to it here. At all the stations where troops are serving, except Mayaguez, there are excellent storage facilities for subsistence, and the percentage of loss from decay, exposure, vermin, and theft is not greater in Porto Rico than in other departments. In Mayaguez the stores are kept in a rented building. There are ovens owned by the Government at all posts, in which bread is baked by the troops and customary savings secured. All the troops and hospitals in the department are supplied with the authorized amount of ice, which is most acceptable. HEALTH. The report of the chief surgeon is so full and satisfactory that nothing more need be said in respect to the work of the medical department. A great burden was laid upon the medical officers by the orders of the commanding general which imposed extra work upon them, caused by the overwhelming calamity that the island suffered in August, 1899. The chief surgeon was appointed president of a board of charities which was charged with the distribution of relief supplies sent to the island from the United States, and post surgeons had assigned them important work connected with same relief work. The chief surgeon was, in fact, the executive officer of the commanding general with respect to this important duty devolved upon him by orders of the Secretary of War. The assistance of Major Hoff was invaluable. In a report submitted to me by the chief surgeon respecting the relief work specially, all details of this great undertaking are fully set forth. This will be submitted later, embraced in a presentation relating exclusively to the military government of Porto Rico in its civil aspects. There has been no invasion of the island since the American occupation by contagious or infectious diseases, though I do not believe that this immunity of the inhabitants from yellow fever can long be secured. In times past the island has been scourged, and the last visitation was as recent as 1897, when it is stated that there were hundreds of cases in San Juan. Having regard to this constant danger from yellow fever, preparations have been made for moving the troops back from the seacoast upon the first appearance of the disease in any seaport. Camp sites have been selected and camp equipment made ready. PAY. The chief paymaster's report shows that the funds disbursed by himself and his oilicers exceeded slightly $1,000,000. There have been |