The evening times., 1899-05-17
| SOLDIERS IHDME
| To- De ENLARGED.
Room Needed 1br the Cripples
Of Recent Campaigns.
The Philippines Expected to Con-
tribute Many Inmates.
improvements to Cost About $780,
OOO-1NvO Wings to BE Added
to the King Building.

Preparations are being made by the au-
thorities Of the Soldiers Home to largely
increase the facilities and capacity Of that
institution. The improvements under con-
temptation have become necessary because
Of material increase i'm the number Of Grip
pied and disabled soldiers who have be-
come incapacitated during the recent CAM
paigns Of the American armies in Cuba
and Porto Rico.
actual campaign service in the tropics the
inmates of the home numbered In the
neighborhood Of 750 men. Now the num-
Der has increased to $50. None Of the
regulars who have been engaged in the
service in the PHILIPPINES have yet arrived
at the home. but 1t Is very probable that
their number will exceed that from the
combined Cuban and Porto Rican service,
In view Of the greater length of time dur
ing which the Philippine forces have been
actively engaged.
The changes and improvements which are
about to be begun have been under con-
temptation by the authorities Of the insti-
tuition for several months past. According
to the estimates made the entire work will
cost about 100000. 1t Is expected that
active operations will commence on the
work OF reconstruction during the early
part Of June.
The most important Improvement will be
made on the King building. The estimat-
ed cost Of this Is $4,000 Two wings will
be added to the present structure, each
50x50 feet and Jour stoiies iii height An
additional story will be also added TO the
present building. The interior OF the old
building will be reno ielcd to correspond
,taI
Provision has been naGe for installing two
large toilet rooms on each Goor fitted o..
with porcelain yubs. marble basins and Jni-
proved plumbing. An improved hydraulic
elevator will be put in and iron verandas
will extend arouA1 the entire building al
each Of the four floors The walls Of the
wings are to be constructed OF brick with
Hummelstown stone trimmings. The
structure when completed will be three
times the present size and there Will be
room for l20 extra beds.
The hospital building will also be over
hauled and its capacity and efficiency in
creased. The hosp.ta, was built twenty
years ago and at the tins Of its compile
ticn was considered a modern structure.
No great alterations have t:.a made dTr-
ing that time so that it scarc.iy conforms
with the existing iiiea o. 4 modern insti
tuition of It's chararisr. The interior will
be repaired and room made for fifty addi-
tional beds. The prin- pa, feature in the
improvements contemplated on this build
Ing will be the cons ':1ction of much
larger dining-room. 1t now accommo-
dates only about one-third of the patients
Of the hospital, nnaaing it necessary to
serve each meal to three sets Of men. The
room will be mace large enough to ac.
commodate all at one time. A new system
Of heating will be inaugurated and a new
hydraulic elevator will be installed. II is
estimated that tnc Improvements will cost
about $4,000
Extensive alterations will be made in
the power house to provide more heat and
light for the new buildings. the estimated
cost being $500. About three miles of
wooden fencing will be replaced by an
ornamental wire fence, along which hedges
will be planted. Repairs will also be
made TO the stone walls which extend
around the park. About $3.50 will be ex-
pended for the purchase of shrubbery to
replace the numerous plants and bushes
which were destroyed by the severe frosts
OF last winter.
The Anderson and Sheridan Buildings
at the Home are being repainted. The
bids for the more important work have
not yet been advertised for. but the au-
thorities intend to open the bidding with
In short time SO that the active build
ing operations can be commenced without
delay.