(1)    Inventories. On or before July 1 in each year, the secretary shall cause full and complete inventories and appraisals to be made of all the property of each institution administered by the department, which shall be recorded and so classified as to show separately the amount, kind and value of such property.

   (2)   Visitation. The secretary shall cause each of said institutions to be visited and inspected at least once a month to ascertain whether the officers and employees therein are competent and faithful in the discharge of their duties, all inmates properly cared for and governed, all accounts, books and vouchers properly kept, and all the business affairs properly conducted.

   (3)   Powers and duties. The secretary shall plan for and establish within the department a program of research designed to determine the effectiveness of the treatment, curative and rehabilitative programs of the various institutions and divisions of the department. The secretary may inquire into any matter affecting social welfare and hold hearings and subpoena witnesses and make recommendations to the appropriate agencies, public or private, thereon.