The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-13

The annual report of the Board OF Com
missoners of the Soldiers Home District
of Columbia. with the report of the In
spector General of the Army, was made
public at the War Department yesterday.
The report shows that the number of
inmates on the rolls on September 80. 1899,
wss 1.2S6. Since that date 619 soldiers
1874. OF this number Il. withdrew from
the home, 206 were dismissed, SO died, and
102 were transferred TO the permanent roll,
leaving ] 3s9 on The rolls on September 80,
1900
The receipts during the year were $780,
S2aS2, and the disbursements S3aS, GS9.05,
leaving balance on hand of S2,24o.I1.
Some of the improvements made were the
construction of an annex to the hospital,
by which its capacity has been increased
from So to lI2 beds; additions and altera-
lions 10 the King building. made neces-
sary TO accommodate the constantly in
creasing demands on the home. the aver
age number cared for during the year be-
ing 81 more than last year and 81 more
than The preceding year.
With an increased army it is reason
able TO expect that the ratio of increase
will be still greater in the future says
The report.
The construction of the handsome con-
servatory, now nearing completion. and
the necessity for increasing the capacity
of the power house, the laying of addi
tional sewer and water pipes, the con-
struction of over two miles of new roads,
new paving. and repair of bridges and
fences. etc, have necessarily brought up
the expenditures for permanent improve
ments to greater sum than heretofore.
"A large and commodious stable is also
under construction and will be completed
early next spring.
The report states that "Of the $40 resi-
dent inmates. 667 are receiving pensions,
as follows: Two hundred and twenty one
receive from Sc to IS per month; 500, from
$40 to SIG; 81, from 81 TO $50; 20. from
So to $50; /, $50: and 9 s12 per month.
There are 209 beneficiaries of the home
who served in the war with Mexico. 112
of whom are drawing outdoor relief: 400
who served in the war OF the rebellion, OF
whom 95 are on outdoor relief, and 22I
who served since the commencement OF
the war with Spain. making a total of
S36 members who had war tother than In
dian war; service.
The attending surgeon reports that 622
patients were treated in hospital; that
the daily average was co-'"- "siN '"S
the average age of patients admitted was
5239; that 3.0i9 were treated at SICK call.
and the proportion of death to 100 inmates
per annum was 5.3i.
THE sanitary conditions OF the nome
and grounds have been excellent through
out the year The water supply and drain
age are satisfactory. and there has been
no prevalent or epidemic disease among
the inmates.
The account of the farm and dairy
shows that the cultivation of the farm and
the establishment of the dairy have proved
profitable both in saving a considerable
sum OF money and in producing at the
Home early and late vegetables and bet
ter quality of milk than can be supplied by
contract.
THE library of the Home contains 6,53o
volumes 'r::.- sixteen weekly
.-.rrs and twenty-four monthly magazines
are provided. The daily average number of
inmates who visit the library and reading
room was 232.
THE Board of Commissioners take pleas
ure in reporting that in its opinion at no
time since the Home was established has
it been in every respect in such excellent
condition as at present, and that this is
largely due to the zeal of the officers of
the Home in the performance Of the duties
devolved upon them. The excellent adj
Of the affairs of the Heme is
shown in the fine condition of he build
inss roads. and grounds. and n the great
improvement made in all the various mat
tiers that come under the management of
its internal affairs"