The annual expenses of the Order are about 17,000,000 francs ($3,400,000), the two principal items being 'the pensions of the members, about 10,000,000 francs ($2,000,000), and the pensions of the Medea& Militaires, about 6,000,000 francs ($1,200,000), (see MEDAILLE MILITAIRE below), other minor items of ex pense being the salary of the staff at the Grande Chancellerse about 250,000 francs ($50,000), the three educational establishments for young ladies about 300,000 francs ($60,000). The receipts are provided by an annual interest of 4,150,000 francs ($830,000) on Rentes franfaises (French Consolidated Fund), which are owned by the Order. The Domaine d'Ecouen together with the fees paid by some of the pupils give an annual income of about 110,000 francs ($22,000). The Ministry of Justice, to which the Order of the Legion of Honor is financially connected, provides every year all the funds required to balance the accounts. It may be mentioned here that in 1916 a rich American gentleman, formerly a president of the National City Bank, New York, contributed generously 1,000,000 francs ($200,000) to the Order, the interests of which are to be distributed among the children of the legionnaires who have been killed during the war.
The Palais de to Legion d'Honneur which is situated on the Quai d'Onay and Rue de Lille, is the private property of the Order. It was burnt down during the Commune in 1871, and part of the records were destroyed. On the initiative of General Vinoy, who was then the Grand-Chancellier, a public subscription for the reconstruction of the building was opened on 7 June 1871. The list was headed by
Monsieur Thiers with 2,000 francs; on 2 Octo ber the subscription lists were closed. A total amount of 1,625,599 francs 19 centimes ($325, 119.83) was provided, mostly by the legion naires. The Palais was completely recon structed in 1878.
The Legion of Honor may be granted to privates and non-commissioned officers, but in very exceptional circumstances only. The Medallle Militaire (which carries the privilege of an annuity amounting to 100 francs ($20)), was therefore created in 1852 in order to recog nize the services of °non-commissioned officers, corporals, privates or marines," especially in time of war. The Medaille Militaire may also be granted to field-marshals and admirals and to general officers who have been commanders in-chief. In such cases, that distinction is con sidered as being second to none. The MedalIle Militaire for instance was granted to Marshal Joffre after the battle of the Marne.
The medailles are granted partly on the recommendation of the Minister of War and the Minister of the Navy, and partly on the recommendation of the de la Legion d'Honneur; but all nominations are to be approved by the Conseil de I'Ordre. As al ready stated, the pensions of the Midaillis Militaires absorb about 6,000,000 francs of the financial resources of the Legion of Honor.