Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-16
THE SOLDIERS HOME
Annual Report Of Board for
the Past Year.
NUMBER OF INMATES
LIEUT.. GEN. MILES STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS.
Total of 955 Beneficiaries With Record
of War Service-Proposed
New Buildings.

Lieut. Gen. Nelson A. Miles. retired, pres
| 1dent of the board of commissioners of the
Soldiers Home, District of Columbia, has
| submitted the annual report of the board
for that institution for the year ended
June 30, 1903. 1t shows that the total
number of inmates on the rolls on that
date was 1,414 and that the number of
deaths during the year was 1OI. Tempo
| rary relief afforded to destitute dis
charged soldiers not entitled to admission
TO the home to the extent of 1855 meals
and 179 were provided with lodgings for a
few nights each
There are 155 beneficiaries who served in
the war with Mexico, 391 who served in the
civil war and 400 who served in the army
since the commencement Of the war with
Spain. total of $50 beneficiaries who had
war (other than Indian war; service
The nativity of beneficiaries IS about one
half American, one fourth Irish one ixt h
German and the balance are natives of
other countries. Their ages range from
twenty-one to eighty-tive years One hun
dred and six are over seventy years Of age.
The Sanitary Conditions.
The sanitary condition of the home and
grounds has been excellent throughout the
year. The water supply and drainage are
satisfactory and there has been no preva-
lent or epidemic disease among the inmates
The account of the farm and dairy shows
that the cultivation of the farm and the
establishment of the dairy have proved
prontabe in producing early and late yege-
tables and better quality of milk than can
be supplied by contract
Inc constant Increase in the number of
sick to be cared for the necessity for pro-
Viding suitable quarters for the fema 10
or ha nf ~
ana other necessary features caused the
board to authorize the preparation of plans
ana specifications for the construction of a
suitable annex to the hospital in order to
PROVIDE the accommodations required. The
secretary of War has approved the plans
ana preparations are now well under way
for the. construction of the building
Detailed plans and specifications are also
being prepared. with the approval of the
secretary of War, for administration
building, the present building being no
longer suitable for the purpose
he board has also under considerat ion
tne construction of new mess hail, with
additional dormitories to meet increas sing
demands.
Homes Permanent Fund.
The permanent fund of the home depos-
lied in the United States treasury amounts
to s3G0,752. The total disbursements dur
ing the past year were $3.50 1856, of which
A
nent improvements and repairs
The current expenses for the wear were
about $4,000 more than the year before.
que not so much to the increase of the num-
Der OF inmates cared for as to the increa Sc
IN the cost of food, clothing, fuel and of
otner supplies necessary In the administra RAJ
ton of the affairs of the home The food
furnished the inmates has received special
attention, and is reported as highly salts
factory in every respect.
The change in the SySter, Of p,reo. fro~.
male TO female effected during the past
year. Gen. Miles says has proven to be
very satisfactory.
Surgeons Comment.
On this subject Major Louis A. LaGarde.
the attending surgeon, says:
In letter to the governor of the home.
dated December II 1902, 1 suggested to the
board of commissioners a change from the
male system of nursing which had pre-
vailed since the opening of the hospital, and
winch was most unsatisfactory. In look
ing ABOUT Tor a system of women nurses
the board of commissioners selected a
proposition submitted by the Sisters of st.
Vincent de Paul. We have now seven sis
tiers and six female nurses. The latter are
pupil nurses of eighteen months experi-
ence, generally from the Providence Hos
pital Training School. The Sisters of ST
Vincent have revolutionized the methods
for the care and comfort of our patients
in such satisfactory manner that their
unselfish devotion and kindness have won
the admiration and esteem of all concerned
In a word 1t may be stated that the crude
| awkward, and illy-trained though we'll
intentioned efforts of the male nurse has
been supplanted by the gentle. adept and
skillful mnistering of noble womanhood
In this happy outcome of a distressing stu
alton the home is specially indebted to Sur
geon Gen. O'Reilly, who exhibited great in
terest and Willingness in seconding the eff
forts of the attending surgeon"
Inspector Generals Report.
Inspector General Burton, in his report
on the institution. says that the home
seems to be managed to the sattsfac tion
and great benefit of it's many worthy in
mates. He says facilities for the amuse-
ment Of the members of the home comprise
theatrical performances, lectures, library
band concerts, billiards, pool, bagatel.e
| chess, backgammon, checkers, cards, domi-
noes. and quots. The theater building.
known as STANLEY Hail. is a handsome
white marble structure. in keeping with the
beauty of the surroundings. with a Seating
capacity of 800. The library is conveniently
located in respect to the cluster of bar
racks, and was found in good condition.
There were S,636 volumes on hand al DAT
of inspection.
The various buildings were found to be in
excellent condition as to order and cleanli-
ness. The condition of the grounds was
such to reflect the highest credit lInon
driveways. some nine miles in extent were
in fine repair as were the walks Addf-
tional sidewalks are being laid. which will
add to the comfort and convenience of the
old soldiers.
The discipline of the home seems to be all
that could be desired. the men appearing
we'll behaved and orderly. Punishments for
offenses are made as light is compatible
with the maintenance of a proper degree
of discipline in an institution of this char
acter. They consist mostly Of light labor
on the home grounds.
The matter of food and cooking arrange
ments receives the persopal attention of
General Williston, the deputy governor
and each appear ample and satisfactory.
Contemplated improvements.
Regarding contemplated improvements,
Gen. Burton says:
1.-THE present administration building is
out Of date and entirely inadequate. 1t is
contemplated to erect a new building on a
site between the standpipe and the gate. at