EMERGENCY FUND. Fortunately we have not been called upon this year for any special relief. There still remains in the Emergency Fund the sum of $3,264.45, which will be ample to meet any unexpected calls for relief. I therefore make Recommendation No. 9. That the transfer of one-tenth per capita received each quarter by the National Treasurer to the Emergency Fund be discontinued until needed. FINANCES. The several funds of our Order, by judicious economy during the past year, compare favorably with the good financial standing of our Order during past administrations. When we consider that a new edition of the Service Books had to be printed, the first since 1904, an extra one thousand dollars added to Andersonville Prison property Permanent Fund, and several other additional items, the condition of our finances as shown by our National Treasurer's report is most gratifying. OFFICIAL VISITS AND COURTESIES. Words fail me to express my appreciation of the many courtesies extended to me during this administration. My one regret has been the inability to accept every kind invitation received. Upon my return home after my election as National President, Ransom Post and Corps tendered to me a reception at the Planters Hotel. I greatly enjoyed meeting and receiving the greeting of my own comrades and friends in the Grand Army of the Republic and the Woman's Relief Corps. During the year I have visited fifteen Departments, fourteen Corps, in several instances being accompanied by my faithful Treasurer, Charlotte E. Wright. The same uniform kindness and consideration were shown me at each place visited, and many times in the years to come I shall find myself living over again the delightful experience of those happy days. At each Department Convention I was privileged to accompany the delegation chosen to visit the Grand Army of the Republic in session and tell them of the work of their Auxiliary. The honor of installing the newly elected officers of each Department was given me, an honor I assure you I greatly appreciated. For all receptions, banquets and other social affairs given in my honor and the many beautiful flowers and gifts received I am sincerely grateful. The cares and worries of the year were lost sight of in the tender, thoughtful kindness of hundreds of members of the Woman's Relief Corps it was my pleasure to meet. The visit made to the home of our National Treasurer, Charlotte E. Wright, was very interesting to me, to see how well she had in hand the work of her office. Truly this visit bound together more closely the ties of friendship and loyalty to each other. There is a dark side to every picture, and I feel here I must speak of my last visit to "Our Lizabeth," March 13, 1907, cheerful and happy as of yore, yet with the consciousness that her life's work was almost ended. She planned and talked with me of the work of inspection of the Detached Corps in the South. Her words have been an inspiration to me ever since that memorable visit. I then hurried on to Saratoga to make preparations for the Twenty-fifth National Convention to be held there in September, 1907. Owing to the fact that there was but one Corps located there, and the Committee having charge of arrangements living at a distance, I felt obliged to make my second visit, which I did in the month of June, accompanied by my Chief of Staff, Florence O. McCleland. Before closing this part of my address I must refer to my visit to the Department Convention of Maryland, held in Baltimore, my girlhood home. There I received a perfect ovation. As I looked into the faces of the comrades I knew then, and the changes time had wrought, I realized more fully than ever that the time was fast approaching when the name of the last survivor of the great struggle of '61 to '65 would be written on the final muster-out roll, and our work for them would be ended. CORRESPONDENCE OF THE YEAR. As in the case of all previous administrations, the correspondence at National Headquarters has been at times almost overwhelming. In every instance we have tried to answer all communications as promptly as possible and according to our best judgment. Freely have we given all advice asked for, and if in any measure we assisted in perfecting the work and leading to a clearer understanding, we feel amply repaid. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. To the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic and his official staff I am greatly indebted for their loyalty and the interest they have taken in our organization the thirteen months we have labored together. The members of my official family have proven to be wise, conscientious and painstaking in the discharge of their duties, and their efforts have helped in a great measure to make this administration a successful one. I shall ever hold in grateful remembrance the Past National Presidents for their words of encouragement and loyal support at all times. Their advice has freely been given and the benefit of their past experience has been of invaluable help to me. To my Secretary my thanks are due. To Charlotte E. Wright, our Treasurer, who has proven herself a tower of strength to this administration, I am deeply grateful. I would truly be unjust if I did not personally acknowledge the faithfulness of my Assistant National Secretary, Ada E. May, who has during the year been a member of my own household, and has ever been loyal to me and the Woman's Relief Corps. Like all my predecessors, I tender to Comrade E. B. Stillings my thanks for the time and thought he has given the work of the Woman's Relief Corps during this administration. The benefit of his rich experience has been ours at all times. To my own Department Grand Army of the Republic and Woman's Relief Corps and to my own home Post and Corps I have only words of love and kindliest feeling. The honor that came to them through me has been appreciated, and I have tried to prove worthy of their confidence and love; and all members of our Order, who by thought, word or deed helped to lighten our labors and make the year full of "sunshine and good cheer," I shall ever hold in fond remembrance. CONCLUSION. And now comes the word, of conclusion and farewell. When nearly thirteen months ago you intrusted to me the leadership of this great organization, I realized full well the responsibility I had assumed. But with faith in the Divine Master and confidence in the loyalty and devotion of over one hundred and fifty-five thousand noble women, I have tried to meet and perform every duty as it came to me to the best of my ability. While our official relations will soon be severed, my interest and loyalty to the Grand Army of the Republic and the Woman's Relief Corps will remain steadfast and true to the end. This sacred stewardship I now return to you as untarnished and bright as when I received it, only trusting I may merit these words, "she hath done what she could.” REPORT OF NATIONAL SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT BELLE C. KIMBALL, OFFICE OF NATIONAL SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT National Secretary, W.R.C. Madam: I have the honor to submit herewith my report as National Senior Vice-President since my election in Minneapolis. Fully appreciating the honor conferred upon me by my election to this office, I have discharged its duties to the best of my ability. To all Department officers who have favored me with rosters, General Orders, badges and invitations to receptions and conventions, I return grateful thanks. By appointment of Past National President, Abbie A. Adams, I accompanied Mary L. Starkweather of Minneapolis to Mason City to visit Memorial University. This Committee made as careful, thorough and complete an investigation as was in their power to do, and forwarded its report to our National President, Carrie R. Sparklin. To our National Patriotic Instructor, Eliza J. Crisler, I desire to express my appreciation for courtesies extended in my patriotic work. With the able coöperation of Mary E. Rich, National Aide, I placed twelve flags in the schools of Hillsboro County. I placed several Patriotic Primers, Declarations of Independence, Oleographs and Patriotic Selections by Mrs. Crisler in the city schools. On Flag Day, I requested many merchants to decorate their stores and homes with the handsomest flag that was ever designed. The response was very satisfactory indeed. By request of Carrie R. Sparklin, our National President, I inspected the Corps in Florida, and forwarded my report of the same promptly to Georgia B. Worker, National Inspector. I learned, while in Key West upon this mission, that no flags would be furnished by the G.A.R. for the proper observance of Memorial Day. Upon my return home, I immediately bought 500 flags, and forwarded them by express to Post Commander John Scheurer. Respectfully submitted in F., C. and L. ORPHA D. BRUCE, National Senior Vice-President. |