The Washington times., 1903-03-30
TWO NEW BUILDINGS
FOR SOLDIERS HONE
IN The NEAR FUTURE
Crowded Condition to Be
Relieved.
An ANNEX FOR THE HOSPITAL
Cost Of New EdifCa IS About One Million
and viii Be betrayed From
Home Fund

Contracts for the erection Of new
buildings at the National Soldiers
Home involving thc expenditure OF over
3 oco,ooe. viii he let shortly and work
begun without delay. The Soldiers
Hcme Baord composed OF Lieut.. Cen.
Nelson 4. Miles. surgeon General
Reilly, the inspectors general OF the
Home and several others connected
with the institution. held a meeting the
third Tuesday OF January and decided
to make the changes
An administration building and an an
mex 20 The hospital are 10 be erected.
The former viii be the more expensive
CT the two and is regarded as the more
necessary. At present there are six or
seven hundred soldiers quartered at the
home 10 is entirely too small 10 ac-
ccmmodate that number. and as the
family is constantly increasing Il is
believed the improvements cannot be
completed in time 10 accommodate all
OF the men who viii have arrived at the
institution by that time. The main
bsiIding is occupied as a mess han.
sleeping apartments. and Offices for the
officials OF the hone Everything il
crowded and much discomfort has been
caused in recent years because OF the
crowded condition OF the place
More Room for Men
The administration building viii re-
lieve the distress in the main structure.
The treasurer. secretary and the other
officers ar the home are at present oc-
cupying a small room. in the adTninis-
tration building they viii have better
quarters and larger rooms The mess hall
now is packed ard Janmed az almost
every meal. and a second table has 10
be spread occasionally. The men sleep
n crowded quarters. The new admins
tratioa building is 10 be erected Just TO
ha eft OF Eagle Gate. the Iaa.n cntraace
Of the home. The ground has already
been staked or and everything is ia
readiness for the foundation 70 be begun.
The hospital has always been re-
garded as too small 10 accommodate the
large number Gf patients sent there.
Owing to the fact that the men VINO
preserved the union In 81 and '55 are
growing old and infrm. and most OF
them suffer from rheumatic pains and
aches. the hospital rooms are taxed to
their fullest capacity in wet weather.
rhe hospital attendants and the other
employees have very crowded quarters.
and an annex Is something which has
long been needed. II viii include
quarters for the help and also a number
IF new wards for the patients
The Homes Fat Treasury.
The old soldiers are TO pay for the
new buildings. The grizled veterans viii
axe the required amount. which is
said to be between one and two million
lOllars. from Ihe IErge surplus in their
reasUry. Every month each inmate OF
he home Is compelled 10 pay into the
reasury twelve and one-haIf cents for
he maintenance OF the institution This
ystem has been in vogue since
he establishment of the home. and on
hat small amount from each man has
esuited in the present surplus Of over
3 .0GO. eco.
Whatever the home needs is procured
With money from this fund. Every month
large sum is turned in by the veterans.
nd despite the constant drain on the
und, il is steadily increasing
Several architects have submitted
lans for the building, bur no decision
as been reached. It. is understood the
natter was considered at the March
Meeting Of the Soldiers Home Board at
be War Department As soon as the
lans are accepted. the contract for ths
rection of the buildings viii be let