The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-13
BOUGHT ONI'l.Y
BEST OF GOODS.
Grocers Testify as 70 the Soldiers
Home Matter.
70 HEAR VETERANS TO-DAY.
TestifY as TO tht 4
Home Matter.
TO HEAR VETERANS I
a Score OF the Inmates Will be Sum
moncd to Appcar-Drs.J James and
Fry Tell About the Character
or FOOD Used.

IS
OF FOOD Us cd.
The Joint special committee appointed TO
Investigate the management OF the Sol
diers' Homo held a session In the Senate
chamber last night. All the members
were present except Senator Cold Those
in attendance were Senator Opie CHAIR
mani, senator Tate, Delegates Pollock,
Dupuy. Parks, and Gregory.
The management of the Home had Its
first inning. President Randolph. Of the
Board OF Visitors. first questioned the
witnesses, and Chairman opie and MI.
Pollock put most of the questions on be-
half Of the committee.
The witnesses introduced were mostly
representatives of firms that furnish the
Home with provisions. They all testified
that only the best goods We're bought.
Dr. LorriEler James was the first wit
ness. lie said that he had been physician
at the Home on several occasions during
the absence of DR.. Fry. He had exam
ired the food and found it to be whole
some and, in his judgment, plentiful. he
drank the milk and found it TO be very
good. He had never heard complaint
from anyone in the hospital.
In the hospital each patient has a par
ticular diet prescribed for him. Dr.
James said he was compensated for his
services by DR.. Fry
In reply to questions from Mr.. POLLOCK,
DIR. James said he took probably two
meals n day at Commandant Biggers
table He ate but little beef, but thought
the beef on Colonel I3igger.s table was.
perhaps. superior in quality to that fur
nished the inmates Of the Home.
Mr.. Pollock drew from Dr. James an
admission that the food served on the
commandments table was superior both
as to quality and quantity to that served
in the mess hall.
In reply to Mr.. Randolph, DR.. James
said whenever he prescribed any diet Tor
THE hospital dit was always promptly
supplied.
HE SOLD GOODS.
MIR. D. o. Davis. the wholesale grocer,
said he had been selling groceries to the
Soldiers Home. The purchases We're
unade through Colonel Bigger. The Home
always purchased the best OF goods he
carried in stock. and such as he sells the
N cteis. Mr. Davis was unable to tell
Ml1.t grades OF nolasses. pork etc,
were sold the Home. but said that
his firm did not sell anything but pure
articles.
DR. Fry. the resident physician at the
Home said 1le had served twice in the
position he now fills. He was at the
!fiome eight years ago. His present con-
nection with the institution dates back
TWO yesrs. The Doctor denied that the
tnIlk was largely composed of water. he
mad never seen unsound meat on the
natles. The tea and coffee were not the
,,5est but they were of fair quality and
Wholesome.
The Doctor said. in reply to Mr.. Ran
dolrh's question. that the inmates were
often not well-behaIed, but they behaved
badly
witness having testified that pa
ficnt died as a result of an order OF re-
.snowal TO the hospital, given by Adjutant
,ts;sluweli. the Adjutant asked DR.. Fry if
i this statement was true. The Doctor re-
| 1,gled In the negative. and explained thai
in the case in question the order Of re-
Emoval was given by himself, and the
;,change OF quarters had nothing TO do
with the death.
nor. Fry admitted that he had never
ulade close inspection Of the food: he
had seldom tasted that used in the mess
hall but it looked all right to him.
The Doctor had never seen any sup
plies carried Off from the Home.
The Doctor said his salary was S25 FER
month, ard he was employed by the
Board of Visitors.
DIR. Fry said. In reply to Mr.. Pollock,
that he was the 'only physician at the
Home. and the only health officer there.
uIe paid but little attention to the food
used outside of the hospital. taking it for
granted that the food was all right.
ALLEGED IMPURE FOOD.
MIR. Pollock wanted to know II the
Doctor had not heard that m my inn ates
were recently made sick by eating un
sound meats. The Doctor raid he saw
eight or ten inmates who had been made
sslci1 lie did not examine the meats, be-
cause they We're all gone when he was
called upon to see the sick. The Doctor
Thought ii not his duty, but Colonel
aslggers. to see that the food used was
of proper quality and quantity.
AS TO GROCERIES.
Mr.. Boyle, representing the Taylor
Boiling Company. snid the Soldiers
Home purchased -four and other gro
ceries from his company, and the best
goods were purchased.
Mr.. Z. b. Chatin said he had been
selling milk to the Home for two years.
The Fnme character of milk was deliver
cd at the Home as is sent to private
residences.
Captain Charles T. Taylor, wholesale
grocer, testified thnt he sold a barrel
of whiskey of excellent grade TO the
Home every month. He sold meats,
sugar. lard and some other articles.
All of these goods furnished were Of
the very best quality.
Mr.. w. T. Molten, provision dealer.
said the Home bought meats from him.
Only the best goods We're purchased.
Mr. r. s. Christian stated that the
Home purchased Il good many groceries
and fish from his firm. Only the best
the concern had IN stock was bought.
lie had never sold Colonel Bigger any in
ferior goods.
Mr.. NJ. A. Chambers. wholesale grocer,
said since he had been in business for
himself he had sold Colonel Bigger two
orders of coffee. which was better than
the average grIde.
Mr.. s. T.. White said he sold the Home
fish and oysters. They were always
fresh and such as furnished to. private
families. The Home purchased seven
gallons Of oysters every Saturday.
Mr.. James d. Mc1ntire, commission
merchant. said he sold the Homo pota-
toes. poultry, eggs and some butter. He
sold Colonel Bigger only the best goods
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