Those inmates in need of physical rehabilitation have been employed on the farms at Long, Deer and Rainsford Islands. In spite of most unfavorable weather conditions, the head farmer appointed for these islands. has made a success of the agricultural work.

Its herd of milch cattle is now a source of pride to the institution. From an average of ten pounds of milk, the production of two years ago, we have now reached an average of approximately thirty pounds per milch COW. The advanced registry Holstein cattle purchased in 1920, with your Honor's permission, are wonderful milk producers. One cow purchased at that time is now averaging forty-eight quarts of milk a day. The present production is on an average of 407 quarts daily, 200 quarts of which are shipped to Long Island.

The sheep received from the Park Department in the fall of 1920 were pastured during the summer on the west end of Long Island. These sheep, eighty-one in number, have been slaughtered and consumed by the inmates of the institution. In addition to the lamb and pork produced, ten of the scrub cows were beefed and consumed.

Very few pigs have been sold during the period covered by this report, as the inmates of Long Island and the House of Correction have consumed more pork than in other years. Garbage gathered from Fort Strong, Long Island and the House of Correction results in the feeding of these pigs at little expense to the city. Within the next six months it will be possible to sell the surplus of young pigs at a substantial price, as our pigs are bred from a registered stock. A registered Berkshire boar was purchased a year ago and four Berkshire sows. Crossing the Berkshires with Chester Whites results in an excellent grade hog.

In February, 1921, Thomas Mott Osborne was invited to establish a Mutual Welfare League at Deer Island. He questioned the success of such a system of selfgovernment at this institution, because of the number of short term prisoners, but very kindly assisted in its establishment and supervised its operation for a short time. Mr. Osborne's fears were realized, as the lack of co-operation of the short term men made necessary its abandonment in July. It was not without some good effect on the inmate body, however, and the institution. today is being run more as an honor camp than a congregate prison. Much freedom is allowed the inmates,

who are not confined to their rooms from morning until night. The silence system is not in vogue, and nearly normal lives are lead.

During the baseball season a team was organized among the inmates, which visited the forts in the harbor and succeeded in defeating some of the soldier teams. Beside baseball the inmates have enjoyed other sports, including football, volley ball and boxing. Each week motion pictures and a musical entertainment are given in the chapel. In the spring of last year the boys at the House of Correction organized a minstrel troupe, which furnished much pleasure both to the inmates of the House of Correction and those of the Long Island Institution.

The night school, under the guidance of a Boston school teacher, has been a source of much benefit to the inmates. The progress made by illiterates is marked. That the inmates are interested can be seen from the fact that the average weekly attendance is 224. Each inmate committed for three months or more is given an examination covering primary and grammar school subjects. Failing to pass with a reasonable mark, the inmate is obliged to attend school four nights each week.

The wanton destruction caused by the Navy Department and the general deterioration of the plant has made necessary many repairs. Main buildings and out buildings have been painted and put in good condition; the front sea wall has been renewed; a new roof placed on the coal shed; and a contract awarded for the repair of the wharves, which for a long time have been. in a dangerous condition. Two or three surveys have been made as a result of serious fires, which destroyed portions of the hospital buildings, and recommendations are now on file necessitating the expenditure of thousands of dollars for fire protection. Since there is no danger of loss of life, inmates being quartered in fireproof cell blocks, action may be deferred on these expenditures, pending a determination of the state policy with regard to the control of penal institutions. The sea wall, which was badly damaged by storms in the fall of 1919, repairs to which have been considered by the engineers of the Public Works Department and by the Finance Commission, should have some attention during the coming year. Whether the building of jetties or the construction of a new wall is the proper

action is still a moot question. With the exception of the sea wall the premises of the institution are in fair condition.

The old prison, from which the inmates were moved to the women's prison in 1919, was reoccupied last November. The kitchen, inmates' and officers' dining rooms, chapel, schoolroom and workshops were painted and put in excellent condition. The cell block is considered by the inmates much more comfortable than that of the women's prison, which is of all-metal construction and difficult to heat. This arrangement gives the institution a workable, compact unit.

Arrangements have been made with the Building Department for the inspection of the workshops in the south end of the administration building, so that it may be determined whether the construction is sufficiently strong to stand the vibration of the shoe machinery. It is hoped that these shops may be found suitable, and that the shoe machinery may be transferred thereto, thus bringing under one roof all of the prison industries.

The per capita cost of this institution with a small population is prohibitive. Although the city is caring well for its offenders, it seems desirable, viewed solely from an economic standpoint, that the city be relieved from this duty.

Through the Home Department agent much suffering has been prevented in the families of men committed to the House of Correction. Within twenty-four hours after a man is committed, information is sent to the central office relative to his dependents and their financial condition. The home agent then establishes proper contacts with relief agencies, and the work of readjustment is begun. During the year 196 prisoners have been released on permits to be at liberty, while only eleven warrants have been served for violation of parole conditions, in spite of the fact that strict supervision has been exercised, or perhaps because of it. To your Honor and the City Council is due the gratitude of this division for the generous manner in which you have appropriated money for the relief of discharged prisoners. Never before last year was an appropriation requested or granted for this purpose. In 1920, $260.55 was expended, and the past year, because of bad industrial conditions, $539.16 was expended.

On the whole the department feels that the Penal Division is functioning in a manner to command the

respect of those who have a knowledge of penal affairs. Nothing that may be done for the prisoner or his dependents is being left undone, and neither the work of this Commonwealth with the offender nor that of any other state surpasses that done by our city.

HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION OF IMMIGRANTS.

During the months of March and April the port of Boston experienced a tremendous influx of immigrants seeking admission before the taking effect of the Immigration Restricting Act. Among the immigrants arriving in New York a few typhus cases were discovered, and boats were detained for ten days before passengers were allowed to debark. The result was the choking of the port of New York and the diverting of all passengers to Boston. During the months of February, March and April 28,000 immigrants were admitted through the port of Boston. All were transported between the ships and the detention camps established at Deer and Rainsford Islands by the city boats, and their handling in a comfortable manner was made possible. Your Honor, through this department, performed immeasurable service for the steamship companies, and directed considerable attention to the facilities of this port by the handling of immigrants. The agitation begun by your Honor with the local United States health authorities, and your activities at Washington, have resulted in a substantial appropriation for desirable quarantine equipment at this port. Your interest and co-operation with the steamship companies during the emergency of 1921 has resulted in impressing upon them that Boston is really a seaport and its citizens most anxious to welcome trade.

RANDIDGE EXCURSIONS.

Among the duties devolving upon the Commissioner of Institutions is that most pleasant duty of managing the excursions for the poor children of the city under the Randidge Trust Fund. The outings were most successful. The children during July and August left Eastern Avenue Wharf at 9.15 in the morning, and debarked at Rainsford Island where they were supervised in games, furnished with a suitable lunch, and given an excellent entertainment under the direction of the teachers assigned by the Boston School Committee. The children.

were returned to Boston at 5 p. m. In all, 15,646 children were cared for. Donations of prizes were made by William Filene's Sons Company, Jordan Marsh Company and R. H. White Company. A pianola, victrola and records were loaned by M. Steinert & Sons Company. The Oriental Tea Company and Phoenix Coffee Mills made daily deliveries of five-gallon cans of coffee for the attendants. The Boston Drinking Cup Company donated 3,000 paper cups for use on the boat. Not a day was missed, forty-three outings being held. The island was used on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays by private societies as a recreation park, and the city's steamer "Monitor" furnished transportation for these private parties, with a charge only for the expense of coal and the services of the crew.

STEAMERS.

Never has so little been appropriated for the upkeep of the steamers as last year. The boats were in service. all of the time, and were kept in good condition. It will be necessary during the coming year to expend a large sum of money on the steamer "Monitor," as the boilers will probably be condemned by the United States steamboat inspectors. Estimates are on file for replacing the boilers at a cost of approximately $35,000.

CASH DISCOUNTS.

Your Honor's arrangement with the Auditing Department for procuring cash discounts has had the hearty support of this department, which has an appropriation amounting to approximately 2 per cent of all appropriations for the city. The department is proud of the fact that its discounts are nearly 5 per cent of the total discounts secured by the city during the past year.

INSTITUTIONS REGISTRATION.

The Registration Division continues to function practically as heretofore. It has been thought unwise, because of the nature of its business, to have it located elsewhere than in the quarters it now occupies in the basement of the old City Hall. However, a closer coordination with the other divisions of the department has been secured. Its commitment of insane was discussed in detail with Judge Grant of the Probate Court, and, in spite of the fact that no legal obligation rests in