New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-13
IN THE SOLDIERS HOMES.
HOW THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES FOR
DISABLED VETERANS.
,xsprcroR-oENERAL BRECKENRIDGE REPORTS on
THE CONDITION AND NEEDS OF
THE INSTITUTIONS.

tonal Homes for Disabled volunteer Soioers' ""ien
has been printed. contains Information OF Interest
In relation to the condition and needs OF the homes
General Breckinridge says that the amount appro-
priated for the support Of the homes was s2SA4'"
during the last fiscal year. or this sum sS'oeo was
for special construction and S73 for the current
maintenance Of the homes. To this latter sum was
added By transfer from tie late posthumous Iund
sl23O5s "a. and from sales and other sources >ili'
52s A. making total Of SAN. 1915 available FOR
maintenance exclusive of the amount appropriated
for special construction. From this general appropr
alton there was expended to September 80. 1890 the
sum of 5000 11S o. and from the special approprA
tons s7S $40 &c. leaving balance unexpenoed IN inc
general fund Of s2G2340 H. and in the special fund
sS77s g. total Of s271l9 IS. To this balance may De
added 173 49, the amount OF the late postnumous
fund transferred TO the general fund by the act OF
August 49, 1891. in excess OF the sum designated by
that act as available for disbursement OF this I'M
expended balance three months after the close OF
the fiscal year. $9.i 90 remained In the Treasury
undrawn. s70733 % was in process Of being covered
into the Treasury. and s7O2 80 was In the hands OF
dlsbursing officers. Since that date Si.N6 50 has
been covered into the Treasury. leaving $06 40 yet
to be accounted for.
For the fiscal year 1894 no special appropriations
we're made and the amount appropriated for sup
port OF the homes G.37S563 So The net dlsburse
ment from this appropriation was SSZDAH 81 Inc
average number present during that year wcs re-
ported as l560l making the cost per capita on the
net disbursement Sln II. For the fiscal year 1895
the amount appropriated. less special construction
not including the amounts received from the pos
thunous fund. s. 23s.S73 and the net disourse-
ments therefrom for maintenance were sZlZz%S. or
a per capita cost of s12s rs reported average
present OF $3.50 This is a reduction OF $2 So per
ca pta from last year and the basis Of the aver
age number present shows a saving OF S2SlA 49, II
the expenditures for the post fund were considered.
these figures would be changed. but whatever the
method OF calculation the interest would probably
prove cumulative through a course OF years. and
further In this report the figures are given &C
cordlng to the local calculation.
The exhibit for the year is gratifying. General
Breckenridge says. as II shows that notwithstand-
ing the decreased appropra tions from those OF the
previous year for maintenance and the large in
crease In population. considerable surplus re-
mains probably $4,000 exclusive of the entire
amount transferred from the posthumous fund Of
1894. SEE 232 g. and a surplus from poshumous
sources for this year OF s24sii AZ. and balance OF
s. 40 81 from special construction appropriations
in all about 100000. This may he reduced by the
settlement OF some few outstanding accounts.
THE NUMBER CARED FOR.
The report shows that the average number cared
for during the last year 1857. which nearly
equals the combined strength OF the infantry and
artillery OF the Army. Adding TO this the average
number Of members constantly absent for longer
or shorter periods the total average number pres
ent and absent reaches 2o.207 The maximum pres
ent during the year was l7.i25. and the minimum
1887 There Is a constant Increase In the number
OF needy disabled and worthy old soldiers cared
for During the last six years II has averaged 1872
annually and las, year this average was exceeded
by eigh,y-sx. The increase Is limited only by the
capacity OF the institutions for sheltering and the
means provided for sustenance: and the unprece-
dented pressure for admission noted in 1894 has not
abated In 1895 This IL illustrated still by the I'M
secmly location Of some OF the beds the
crowing Of dormitorles and the location OF even
the dementsd. General Breckenridge says that men
who have sacrificed their best years in the Ma
tons cause. who stood ready at the beck OF the
Government and were proud to shed their blood;
men who In the full vlgor OF life eagerly
sought in the hour OF need. and who have patient
y horne the effects OF their loyal sacrifice until ad-
ence have claim upon the Government that de-
serves the speedIest and most adequate attention;
from basement to attic. and every available space
has been utilized to case the sreat pressure: The
branch. At the date OF his inspection there
no less than 355 veterans reported sleeping on
places not originally Intended for sleeping pur-
and ,t men Mere Snns ,grnss nyoSe
atca but 50 long as there are survivors Q, me
ss T be to 81 iST to asay such
men admission seems lli,e short OF cruelty. Not
only the general Government out ne states nave
returns Of The Grand Army OF the Republic ~ Jun.
So 1898 showed total membership OF $500 cs OF
pended Cor non-payment OF dues How many otner
survivors, there may be TOO indlsen 10 JON '"'
Concerning barracks General Brecklnrldge po.nts
out that the buildings erected at the newer sy
not taxed beyond their utmost capacity wouI1 leave
nothing to be desired Even in them the carefully
S.snay PS.posey or not t w orS 1c
IS
the air space only go cubic feet This is hardly up
some OF the sleeping places intsnsfes criticism.
General Breck nridse says that the annual eos, OF
seems extremely low for the warm and comfortable
rsiment provided; and even this allowance, While
possibly too restricted for some articles. like shirts
may be excessive n others.
WHAT THEY HAVE TO EAT
The food IS substantial and we'll cooked. though.
perhaps. a diet more suited the advanced age
OF the members might be had at some OF the homes.
The large kitchens and inviting dining halls
admirably adapted for the purpose, and everywhere
systematic and economic management is apparent,
and several branches furnish remarkable models de-
serving stuIy and imitation. The daily cost OF the
ration as reported. averages s014s4 per capita.
end OF the cooked ration so.l639. For such staple
articles az coffee and tea even the prices at the
several branch homes vary from IS Is TO 272S cents
per pound for the former and from 1924 to 1888
cents per pound for the latter, and for potatoes
from 80 to rs cents per bushel The annual cost OF
maintenance per capita reported varies from se5 81
~ the Southern branch to 90 81 at the Pacific
The quality Of the property and stores on hand
seemed to be generally suitable for the purpose
ridge commends the zeal displayed by the officers
In the Of all corfided their charges In their
efforts to comply with the rules and reguatlo
from headquarters He notes, however, that the
system OF accountability Is complex and indefinite
and hardly SO accurate guarded could readily
be devised. The bulky and inaccurate shop
counts. he says. are remarkable. and the thousands
and thousands OF signatures fac-simile stamps
demanded on current vouchers seem nqulsitor al
test upon human endurance. The current supplies
alone on hand June 30 1895. estimated $253.-
26 5, OF which S21Sl 20 for subsistence stores
and property. the price OF which was $50 562 ST.
was condemned and sold destroyed during the
year.
The hospitals do not adequately accommodate all
the sick and demented. and other buildings and