The Washington times., 1903-03-11
VETERANS DELIGHTED
WITH NEW GOVERNOR
Beneficial Changes at the
Soldiers Home.
AN ATTRACTIVE HOSPITAL
Women Nurses Now Employed and
Inmates No Longer Prefer
the Guardhouse.
AN ATTRACTIVE HOSPITAL

Under its new administration the Sol
diers' Home has undergone a number
of changes which have called forth the
praise Of the veterans VINO live in the
institution.
Inmates Of soldiers homes are sup
posed to be malcontents who cannot be
pleased and the praise which the men,
bers OF the local home shower on Gen.
II. s. Hawkins. the new governor. and
Gen. f. B. Williston, the new deputy
governor. is doubly complimentary
when its source is considered. The
new officers assumed charge OF the home
on January 10, They modestIy assert
that no radical changes have been made
and that any reforms which have been
brought about must be the result Of
careful supervision. But the men WHO
live in the home tell another story.
Women Nurses Now.
The greatest reform has been brought
about in the hospital Or. LaGarde now
has women nurses as his assistants.
Sisters OF mercy are in charge OF the
institution and are assisted by young
women. trained and student nurses.
Formerly inmates Of the home acted
as nurses and their work was supple
mented by that OF young men. The
health of the inmates OF the home was
unusually good while the men were en-
ployed, for the veterans preferred the
guardhouse to the hospital and were
unanimous in their verdict that the men
were not eft TO nurse sick cats"
But all is changed now. The hospital
is the most attractive place about the
home and officers and privates admit
the superiority of the women nurses.
Troublemakers at the home are now
ION taclOs.'' TO use an expression of
one of the veterans. Peaceful members
of the soldier colony are free from the
annoyance Of disorderly inmates Under
the previous management. violators Of
the home rules used to get one month
ION the dump'-that is, they are com
PEELED TO work about the grounds for a
month But two months ION the dump"
is the punishment General Williston
saw fit to inflict on offenders. and the
effect on the discipline of the home has
been all that could be desired.
The Fare Improved.
General Williston has also assumed
personal supervision OF the mess. He
is credited WITH having thrown out all
the soup one day. with the exclamation.
1T is not fit for pigs to eat He has
Insisted on having everything we'll cook
ed, and has done much to vary the diet.
Many of the veterans complained that
they had such weak stomachs that they
could not eat solid foods. General Will
liston ordered that soup be served with
every dinner for the benefit OF these
men
He inspects all the supplies. examines
the food while IL is cooking. and in
sists that II shall be served properly.
Low grades Of coffee which were for
merly used have been rejected and slip
shod methods of making coffee have
been changed. The meals served at the
home yesterday consisted Of the follow |
ing articles:
Breakfast-Ham, hominy, bread and |
butter. coffee.
Dinner-soup. boiled beef. horserad- |
ish. bread. milk. coffee.
Supper-Cheese, syrup. bread and but |
ter. tea
Trusted Subordinates.
General RuggIes was kind TO the
men. and they liked him." one of the /
veterans remarked in discussing the /
former governor Of the home. But he /
placed too much confidence in the men
who were working under him. and was /
TOO ready 10 accept their explanations. |
Explanations don't go with the present I
officers. They don't take the word OF /
the sergeants and other people under /
them. but look into every complaint per-
sonally. II there's anything wrong they
Ind II out double-quick As a result the /
whole place is changed"