This lack can be supplied in two ways. First, by constructing reservoirs of a capacity of 200,000 gallons, to be kept full as a fire reserve. This plan would cost about $4,500.00. Second, by laying an 8-inch water main from the nearest point on the city main, a distance of 1,700 feet. This plan would cost about $3,000.00 and would be efficient when the city system is in good condition. This plan is recommended by the Commandant and

It should be said that the existing connection with the city main is by a 6-inch pipe placed many years ago before the larger main now nearer the institution was laid. The institution main connects with a 6-inch city main of considerable length and the distance of the pumping station and loss of power by friction probably account for the slow delivery of water at the institution even under fire pressure.

There should also be a considerable extension of fire mains to give adequate protection to the hospital and the several buildings near it.

LOSSES.

The value of the property of the state used by its charitable, penal and educational institutions on the first day of July, A. D., 1995, was as follows:

The losses during the year ending June 30, 1906, as shown by the table submitted herewith were a barn and its contents consisting of 35 tons of hay, of the value of $540.00 and belonging to the State Penitentiary at Anamosa.

The losses by fire and storms of all the institutions of the classes named for the three years ending June 30 A. D., 1906, aggregate $2,775.00.

The table referred to shows that the property of the state used by the institutions referred to on the 30th day of June, A. D., 1903, subject to loss by fire was $9,118,515.52 and subject to loss by storms, $10,879,092.42.

The following table sets out the facts in detail:

CHAPTER V.

THE INSANE.

The number of insane requiring care in our state hospitals is steadily increasing, and on the 30th day of June A. D, 1906, was 3,835. At the same time there were 1,468 in county and private institutions. During the year ending on that date there was an increase of 156 in our state hospitals and an increase of 119 in county and private institutions, a net increase of insane persons in hospitals and other custodial institutions of 275. The increase of the number in state hospitals during the seven years ending on the date specified was 1,038, and the increase in county and private institutions during the same time was 74. Our estimate of one year ago that it will be necessary to provide for a biennial increase of 300 patients in our state hospitals is confirmed by the increase during the last year. The hospitals at Mt. Pleasant and Independence need additional room for patients of both sexes, and those at Cherokee and Clarinda need. more room for female patients The need for more room exists now and is urgent, and even though appropriations be made now there will be of necessity much crowding and consequent suffering before new buildings can be erected and made ready for use. There should be provided at once an infirmary for women at the Mt. Pleasant State Hospital, an infirmary for both sexes at the Independence State Hospital, a cottage for women. at the Clarinda State Hospital and an infirmary for both sexes at the Cherokee State Hospital.

The number of insane transferred from county and private institutions to state hospitals during the year ending June 30, 1906. was 37, of whom 3 were transferred on our order, and the number transferred on our order from state hospitals to county and private institutions during the same time was forty-one.

CHAPTER VI.

LEGISLATION RECOMMENDED.

SOLDIERS' HOME.

We are authorized to receive in the Soldiers' Home honorably discharged Union soldiers, sailors and others who possess certain qualifications who do not have sufficient means of support and who are disabled by disease, wounds, old age or otherwise. The law as it appears in Section 2606-a and following sections of the Supplement to the Code prevents the taking of any pension money from any member of the Home and in the absence of any permissive statute we have not deemed it proper to make any arrangements for receiving money, however obtained, which members of the Home have been willing to contribute for their support. There have been several members of the Home who received pensions not sufficient for their support elsewhere, but more than they needed while in the Home, who desired to contribute to the state something for their support. There have also been applicants who had adequate means of support and therefore could not be admitted who were without homes and desired to enter the Home and pay for their support.

We are of the opinion that provision should be made for accepting money for the support of members when desired by them, and that authority should be given to receive applicants who are able to pay for their support and are not now eligible for admission for that reason, provided that such persons pay to the state the cost of their support, and that there be room for them not required for other applicants entitled to admission who are unable to support themselves.

HOSPITAL FOR INEBRIATES.

Patients are committed to the state hospitals for inebriates who are dipsomaniacs, inebriates, or who are addicted to the excessive use of certain drugs, without regard to their probable cure. Many of the patients received have been addicted to the

excessive use of liquors or drugs or both for many years, have little self-respect and no desire to reform their habits In many cases they are sent to the hospitals chiefly because they have. become offensive to the communities where they reside. Such persons are not restrained by fear of imprisonment and are apt to take advantage of every opportunity to escape. They are a constant source of annoyance, have a demoralizing influence upon other patients, and are helped only when in actual confinement We recommend that the law be so amended as to exclude that class of patients from the institution. This may be done by providing that no person shall be committed unless there be reasonable grounds for believing that he will receive lasting benefit from hospital treatment, and by authorizing the superintendent to discharge any patient when thorougly satisfied that he will not receive substantial benefit from further treatment. If such provision be made and followed we are satisfied that the general character of the inmates will be much improved, that greater benefit will be derived by the patients, that the institution will be a more desirable institution for persons really desirous of receiving help from treatment, and that the expense of operation will be materially lessened.

It is proper to state further that an earnest attempt has been made to enforce the law providing for the punishment of escapes and a considerable number of them have been convicted and imprisoned in the jail of Marion county, but many patients who run away have served jail sentences and have no fear of them and the efforts to enforce the law have not had any appreciable effect in preventing escapes but have resulted in much expense to the state.

PUBLICATION OF REPORTS.

We desire to call attention again to the fact that the law provides for the publication in our biennial report of matter which is in part obsolete when published or would be of greater benefit to the public if published in a different form. For example, we are required to set out the name and salary of each of our employes and the name and salary of each officer and employe of the several institutions subject to our control. This list is made up from the pay rolls for the last month of the biennial period except for the College for the Blind. As that institution is closed to students after May of each year the pay roll for that month is used. But the officers and employes are constantly changing