The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-10-14

very yalua BILE 10 professional men en-
gagged in the same work in similar inSti-
tutiOus that ! have concluded 70 render
the subject in the form OF a report. which
desire 10 submit 70 the Surgeon General
of the Army for insertion in his annual
report. provided this meets with your
sanction
Report Of the Inspector General.
Brig. Gen J. G breckenridge. Inspector
General. in his report says:
The average age OF inmates is given as
ffty-nine and one-third years. and the
youngest inmate was twenty-One and the
eldest niuety-fouc. FOrty-One per cent Of
the inmates were born in the United
States. 70 per cent in Ireland, lg per cent
IN Germany, and the remaining i per
cent, or ll3 inmates, came from the other
countries in Europe. with the exception Of
y from Canada and ] from the East In
dies About IS per cent Of the inmates
are pensioners, and they receive ali the
way from s. to So per month, with Sl2 as
the predOminating figure.
Three hundred and forty-twO. OF about
80 per cent Of the inmates present, were
paraded in line. and as the visit was on
the nrst cool day, and without much
warning. they presented a rather eXCep-
uOual appearance Universal cleanliness.
habitual among regulars, is not as easily
maintained among the feeblest. but is
general II might be well II the cravats
had greater uniformity. IL worn.
There seems to be ample room for the
accommodation Of "A considerable number
Of additional Inmates. The present build
ings are far from crowded. and il is said
that there are now but about l2G more
inmates than before the Spanish war
Unassigned beds were noticed in nearly
all Of the dOTmitOries Of the five barracks
1t Will be seen from the above that
there is now room for nearly 200 additional
men. without unnecessarily crOWding, and
considering the small increase shown in
the average present during the past two
years, the available room would seem
sufficient for some time, but with the
large increase in the Regular Army and
The arcuOus and tropical service they are
now compelled TO undergo a large increase
~ the applicants for admission is 20 be
expected.
THE buildings generally were found IN
excellent condition. though some trouble
about foundation and tendency 10 leak
age was indicated, and careful attention
and due regard appears TO be given 10 the
matter OF sanitation. though the monthly
report by the surgeon on all matters and
buildings does not prevail here as is
nabltual at military posts During the
year the steward s quarters have been
enlarged. Concrete was being laid in the
areas surrounding the Scott building
This is an essential improvement and re-
places the old tagging. which Is said 10
have allowed injury 20 the foundations.
as the cracks leaked very badly Similar
Improvement is contemplated in tne base
meut Of the King building. around which
concrete walks have recently been laid.
Among the contemplated improve meuLE
IL is TumOred that the Anderson building
VIII be demolished 20 make room for an
addition TO the Scott building. which IS
now "a huge pile. This addition. f. H. said
is 10 provide room for the different Ioca-
ton Of the amusement hall The rooms
now used for that purpose In the several
buildings are located in the Easements
as Of the Sherman OF Scott building are
considered too small and lily ventilated.
and the only partially occupied old din
ing room Is not preferred for the purpose.
and the new marble building has uses Of
its own. While an amusement hall Of
greater capacity and better ventilation is
probably needed, IL IS suggested tina,
with the acreage involved and sites avail
able for additional buildings it seems a
pity that the demolition Of such a historic
ard traditional building as the Anderson
building should be entertained for a mo-
mcnt. That building stood before Gen
erdl Scott collected the nucleus Of Sis
1919 for this humane institution. levied
by him in his triumphant march into Mex
leo during the war with that Republic
II hsrbOred the pioneer member. Martin
Pullman, OF the Third Artillery. who en-
tered the home July =. 1851. fifty years
ago. In fact. IL dates back until few can
tell. and still remains as a typical StTuC-
ture. in good condition and repair But
this Is not all II was the summer home
Of the martyred President Lincoln during
the stirring times Of the civil war. and for
this alone should D., carefully preserved
and reverod by ALL though other Presi-
dents Of the United States, like Buchan-
an Hayes. Garfield, and Arthur, were
wont 20 spend a portion Of their sum
mers there. To build an amusement hall
rs one thing and to demOlish a building
with such traditions as these is very dit
fcrcnt. Other available sites seem 10 be-
quite as eligible. and at some OF the vol
unteer homes the amusement hail is
thought 20 be better as separate build
ing. devoted only 70 this purpose. or
united. AZ the Marion branch. in a new
building for mess hail and kitchen
which may appear 10 be needed.
The building used for the office Of the
governor and treasurer seems crowded
and entirely too small for the purpose
and an administration building Of adc-
Guatc size appears essential The chapel
Is TO be enlarged the coming year at
cost OF - .J,J
There appears 20 be a feeling that the
$4,000 or more OF pension money CON
stantly on hand should not draw inter
est like most Of the funds not in use It's
idleuess does not seem 10 make IL safer
OF more honestly administered.
This years expenditures In the home
fund are SOksl- - less than during the
same period last year. possibly due to the
TACT that the expenditures for special