Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-10
THE SOLDIERS HOME
Conditions at the Refuge Of
the Regulars.
REPORT OF aBr. MILES
INCOME WAS $685., eoe.s MORE
THAN EXPENSES.
Gen. Breckinridge Points 4 Out the
Progress Of Improvements Made in
the Past Twelve Years.

Lieutenant General Miles, commanding
the army. has submitted his annual report
as president of the board of commissioners
| of the Soldiers Home In this District, and
! also the report of an inspection Of the home
by Inspector General Breckenridge.
The total population Of the home. June
80 1902. is given as ], 4O3 officers and mem
bers SSS Of whom were present and SIS abb
sent the average for the year being 500
present and $50 absent, or a total average
of 1856. The highest number present dur
ing the year was $50, on March 10, 1902 and
the lowest was SOC. on June 10, 1902. The
average temporarily cared for during the
year was As, and the total cared for was
1855, an increase Of ia over last year.
There were 800 members absent on outdoor
relief or 45 less than the previous year.
Seventy-one were sick at Fort Bayard, N.
Mex, or 10 more than last year
The ages of the members present on June
80 1902 ranged from % years to 80 years.
and the average is given as 56.71 years. or
262 years less than last year at this home,
and is 6.S7 years less than at the VoIun-
teer Home. The number of members
ceiving pensions, which. ranged from Sc to
$40 a month. was 731, or about half of the
total average.
The great majority receive $12 a month.
Forty-fve per cent of the inmates present
cent were Irish and 16 per cent We're Ger
man. the remainder being from various
other European countriessand Canada
Large Surplus for the Year
The total amount expended during the
year was s31S 400 81 of which $6O,926. AZ was
for construction permanent improve
ments, and being deducted leaves 1851, 9.S5
as the actual expenses for the year. thus
showing the legitimate income for the year
to have been $36S, 906S7 more than the ac-
tual expenses
The average cost per capita for the year
was s251 2s24, and is $50. 42a4 more per capita
than last year.
The average cost of maintenance per cap
tia for 1901 at the Volunteer Soldiers Home
was s133.43, and the average cost per cap
tia for the past year sfqra those on outdoor
relief was $S1 A
General Miles says that the current ex-
penses were materially greater than in
average number of inr1ates cared for, but
to the increase in the cost of all food and
other supplies, and to the constant outlay
| necessary to keep up TIE miles of roads and
walks the care of jhe grounds, garden,
farm and dairy. and all the other numerous
| matters which come under the head of ex-
penses in the administration of the cur
| rent affairs of an institution Of this kind.
The board has authefzad the preparation
| of preliminary plans fer the erection of a
new administration building, which is deem
| ed by the board to be- very necessary, the
| building now used for the purpose being in
| adequate.
Result of Inspection.
| General breckenridge states the results of
| his personal inspection Of the home and its
affairs. in part, as follows:
| How different the present status is
| from the overcrowded condition about a
dozen years ago may not be often recalled
| rtao Ix-;
| provemept in the condition of the bene-
| ficiaries of this establishment Those on
outdoor relief seem more economically cared
! for than the others, and surely equally con-
| tented, and it offers the best escape from
any repetition of the overcrowding. Some
of the building operations heretofore have
seemed expensive, and occasionally of Ques-
| tionable character or quality, and any repe-
| tition of such eXtravagant mistakes may
| well be avoided. though there is apt to be
Juror for building in public Institutions.
| The various buildings were found to be
| generally in excellent condition, and the
| attractive grounds of 502 acres, with well
| repaired driveways and walks. reflected
great credit on the present administrat ton
| Many improvements and repairs have been
| accomplished. During the year the grounds
| have been surveyed maps of them made
| grading and terracing done, the bridges
| drain pipes and sewerage repaired. etc, at
| a cost of $2S. 743. 80. The present administra-
| ton building is inadequate and unseemly,
and in bad repair. and a new one required
| New kitchens are badly needed; the pres
| ent ones are Anticipated.
New Building Needed.
"A new mess hall, a bakery, a butchers
| shop, cold storage and commlssary store
J room are all needed. One building will &C
| commedate all of these and the kitchen.
| and will permit additional space for dormi-
| tory, single sleeping rooms, solarium, etc.
| This building could be placed back of the
| present library, and the library should be
pulled down when the new building shall
| have been completed; not but what 1t is
| about as good as could be expected for
| bowling alley. for which 1t is said to have
| been eXtraVagantly built; but 1t has always
| been ridiculous eyesore. The new build
! ing should comport III dignity of appear
ance with the Scott building. The palm
| house should be more than doubled In size
| by erecting central dome much higher
| that the present building, which should be
| duplicated on the other side of the dome.
thus giving more dignity and pleasing eff
1 feet to the structure.
| AS shown by the report, the discipline of
| the home has been very laudable; over 80
! per cent of the average present committed
| no offense since last years inspection. The
principal offenses during the year were
drunkenness, for which there were us trials.
and absence without leave, for which there
| We're Al trials. The number of members
| tried for drunkenness was SIS or ID less than
the previous year. t
II Wdy not De easy TO remember tnefe
ever was scandal connected with this old
Soldiers Home, the WORKOUT roads. over
crowed condition, INADEQUATE amusements
| overrunning bedbugs, tuberculosis cows,
dirty hospital and kitchen There many years
ago. and the present admirable condition
may not be readily recognized at a transient
glance. but the improved conditions are
evident. The change has doubtless been
effected by wise ADMINISTRATION under far
more careful law, ba;, many individuals
have certainly had share of the brunt Of
the contest. The whole country in every
section contains individuals who know
there is much to admire ii this old Soldiers
Home. A'''eh
March Of Improvement.
1t is pleasant duty to- bear witness to
how greatly and In how many particulars
this home has improved and is still improv-
Ing since my earlier INSPECTIONS of 1t a dozen
years ago. Its methoa Of foundation was
romantic and connected with a great name
and event and its extsrioE, appearance was
then also fine, and many features of its
Internal management deserved earnest COM
mendation. and as a. whole 1t had won
official and popular favor; but 1t IL SUBJ
United, subject to the better judgment Of
Its Officers and the board of MANAGERS. and