Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-23
FOR A new BUILDING
Needs Of Temporary Home
for Soldiers and Sailors.
CAMPAIGN IS STARTED
PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATIONS TO
70 TO CONGRESS-
Great Enthusiasm Shown at Union
Meeting Of Veterans Associations
and Auxiliaries.

were fully represented last night at a meet
ing held in Spanish War Veterans Hall, 10
9th street northwest. under the auspices of
the legislative committee of the Temporary
Home for Soldiers and Sailors. The pur-
pose Of the meeting, as set forth in the call
sent out by Col. Benjamin F. Chase, chair
man. and Capt. A. A. Maxim secretary OF
the committee, was to secure the hearty CO.
operation and support of all soldier socie-
ties and their auxiliaries In the movement
to provide suitable building for the home.
Or as committeeman expressed 1t, to
make a long pull strong pull and a pull
all together" to secure favorable action by
Congress on bill to appropriate $4,000 for
acquiring the old Scheutzen Club house, or
other suitable property. to be transformed
into a comfortable and commodious home.
Representatives of the G. A. r. the Union
Veteran Legion, the Union Veteran Union,
the Spanish War. Veterans, the Sons of
Loyal Legion, Ladies of the U. v. L.. Le-
gion of Loyal Women, Ladies of the G. A.
r.. the women's Relief Cor[s. Ladies of the
Spanish War and army nurses attended the
meeting.
Col. Benjamin F. Chase, in calling the
meeting to order, stated its purpose.
This is a serious matter he said, "a
sad condition that has confronted us for
years, and finally has almost overwhelmed
u.s. and we want the hearty co-opera ton of
all patriotic people and societies in this
work Of love and duty"
On motion of Capt. A. A. Maxim and by
unanimous vote Mrs. Ada II. Weiss was
elected secretary, with Col. j. Tyler Powell
as assistant secretary.
Referring to the institution of the present
temporary home for soldiers and sailors at
106 Sd street northwest Col. Chase said
away back in 1883 the members of the De-
partment of the Potomac, G.. A. R., were
confronted with condition caused by their
comrades coming to Washington to procure
DenSiOnS TO emplOyrpept Ot bar
purposes.
History Of the Home.
Many of the soldiers believed" said Col.
Chase. that If they only reached Washing
ton everything would be all right. For in
stance, John Jones believed If he came here
and informed the commissioner of pensions
that he was a member of the 145th Penn
sylvania Volunteers and was wounded at
Gettysburg he would receive his pension
money instanter and be able to return to
his home in a few days with the cash In his
pocket Such men, after they had expended
their small savings here, were confronted
by the poorhouse and the Jail. Some of
them. driven to desperation by restitution.
would go upon the streets and beg The
comrades of this department decided that
such treatment should not be melted out to
their soldier brothers, so the establishment
of the temporary soldiers and sailors home
was the result
For long time the home was supported
by private contributions, the giving Of en-
tertainments. etc. Then Congress gave the
institution an appropriation. Col. Chase de-
scribed the increasing illness and feebleness
OF the grim old veterans of the civil war
for them. with a hospital attachment, dur
ing their temporary sojourn here Last year,
he added, 605 venerable and in many In
stances. infirm veterans were admitted to
the home
There are veteran soldiers in the tenn
porary home now" said Col Chase, who
Will never go out until they are carried out
One OF these is feeble old veteran who
may not see the light of another SUM-
Attention was called to the fact that Bish-
op McCabe, himself veteran soldier had
volunteered to deliver a lecture on prison
life in the south during the civil war for
the beneft Of the home at the METROPOLITAN
M E. Church on the evening of Decem-
Der IS.
Present Conditions.
The statement was made that while the
present building occupied as a home can
conveniently accommodate twenty soldiers,
it is frequently packed with from fifty to
hfty-five. 1t was also shown that the last
Congress was almost unanimously in favor
of the passage Of the bill providing for the
proposed new home; that the military com
mittee OF the House had unanimously re-
ported in favor Of it. but that at the last
moment Chairman Hull could not secure
recognition from the Speaker to bring the
measure to vote.
Col. j. Tyler Powell, vice president of the
board of managers Of the home said he had
seen incidents in the institution that would
deeply interest any humane person In "the
noble work that is being accomplished there
Among the inmates" he said. "is a former
surgeon In the union army, who Is now
more than eighty years of age" Recently
the old man said to Col. Powell:
Il thank God am in this haven of rest.
All my old friends and my family are gone,
but 1 am here among new found friends.
where / can rest In peace and finally be
given Christian and a soldiers BURIAL
Almost every week. said Col Powell
some old comrade dies in the institution.
There is much of pathos within the walls of
the building on Sd street Come and
see the conditions for yourselves and
you will agree with us that a larger home
with hospital wards is an absolute neces-
sity.'
Veterans of All Wars Admitted:
Capt. A. A. Maxim, superintendent of
the home, said that not only civil war
soldiers. but those of the war with Spain
are admitted to the institution on an eouaI
Iootlng- He described the pathetic case of
young Spanish war veteran, now in the
home, who is dying from CONSUMPTION
Tar away from home and friends Mrs
lllzze w. Calver said the patriotic women
of Washington and the United States
would aid in the effort to have a suitable
temporary home established in Washinp
ton. She said the ladies of the Spanish
war Veterans, headed by the president
of the District Auxiliary, Mrs j. r. Gal
loway. would heartily cooperate
The Legion of Loyal Women" added
Mrs. Calver, always stand ready to work
Tor the e. A. r. and the Spanish War
Veterans"
Mrs. Annie w. Johnson assured Tho
meeting OF the hearty co-operation of the