The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-28

To the Editor of The Times:
A worthy public institution, of which lit
tie is heard in Washington, is the ex-
Soldiers and Sailors Home, at 305 Missouri
Avenue. The Home. which is maintained
under the direction of the various G. \. r.
posts of the District, at Government ex-
pense. was established about fifteen years
ago, for the purpose of affording shelter
to veteran soldiers and sailors who come
to Washington to establish claims for pen
sions. Every year there are hundreds of
Old soldiers and sailors who come to the
Rational Capital to endeavor to establish
their rights and have pension issued. 1t
is the rule rather than the exception that
they are in INDECENT circumstances.
Before the home was established often
they came to Washington to urge their
claims before the officials of the Pension
Office The intricacies Of the departments
and the endless amount of red tape en-
countered often made their stay d pro-
tracted one, and their slender finances
were in many cases exhausted long before
the claim for a pension had made much
progress. The local members of the c.
a. r. were loyal friends in need at these
times, and extended willingly a helping
hand to their unlucky comrades
About fifteen years ago il was suggested
that a home where soldiers and sailors
who came to Washington should be pro-
vided with food and shelter till their mis-
sion here should be accomplished The
idea met with hearty endorsement, and
the G. A. r. posts united and organized
the home. 1t met with great success
from the first. For two years it was sup
ported by voluntary contributions and
then an appropriations small one-was
made by Congress for the maintenance of
the home.
The local G. A. r. still retains the direc-
ton Of the home The board of directors
Is nf from be Taripr
posts. Capt. William H. Norton. of Post
5, is President; Newton Ferree, of Post l.
Vice President; J. X. Brown. of Post 3
Secretary, and l. W. Stone, of Post I5
Treasurer.
Capt A A. Maxim is the superintend-
emit and. of course, all the details connect
ed with the management of the home
come under his Immediate direction. ANY
veteran Of the civil war who really needs
help is entitled TO the privileges of the
home. At present there are about dozen
old veterans staying at the home, but at
times there have been az many as forty
receiving shelter there at the same time.
Captain Maxim stays at the home day
and night, and is always ready to receive
the veterans.
When an old soldier arrives his name is
at once taken and entered in a book. If he
so desires he can consult with the officials
Of the home regarding his mission in
Washington. and he advised and this ad-
vice Is often Of great value to the old sol
for pensions allowed. inasmuCh as they
are often sadly ignorant of the forms that
must be gone through in order 10 attain
the desired end
During the year ending June 90, 1899
IS 100 meals were furnished, and 90Si
nights lodging given to deserving vet
Grams.
Some of the veterans who are kept It
! the home while they are awaiting the ac-
| ton of the Pension Bureau on their re-
| spective cases are sad wrecks of the
! splendid soldiers that made up the Federal
| army In the early COS.
| One old man, who is waiting for Con-
gress to take action on a bill allowing him
/ $50 a month is paralyzed from his waist
! down. and is unable to move. He Is ut
| terly dependent upon others for as
! sistance. and even has TO be fed by others.
! Many others are similarly afflicted, but
| with all their misfortunes they are cheer
! full and hopeful that the Government viii
allow them their just dues
Many of their stories are extremely in
! teresting although often pathetic. When
/ their cases are decided the old veterans
/ generally leave for their homes. Often the
| local q. A. r members become interested
I in cases of old soldiers who come to the
/ home. ard often render them valuable as
/ sistance.
! Although much good is done with the
/ gress. 1t is with difficulty that the home
I is properly maintained. However. there is
! generally a way found whereby any de-
| serving veteran who seeks a pension in
| Washington may receive food and shelter
during his sojourn here. -
d. w. ROBINSON.
Washington, Jan. &c 1901.