The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-14

on September 30, 1905, there were out standing claims against the home for the amount of $2714.70, making a total indebtedness of $294566 which had never been reported to the executive commit tee.
 Paid Off Debts.
 "On October 3, 1905 MT. Brooks drew from the state treasury $1,90625 for the support of the sixty-one inmates in the home for the quarter ending December 3l 1905, and applied S1,273u of this amount to the payment of outstanding claims against the home. He did this without the knowledge or authority of the exec utive committee and made no report of 1t to said committee.
 After paying the $1,273.11 on October 4, 1905, there were still $1.672.55 outstanding claims against the home September 30. 1905. MT. Brooks transferred $275.S5 from the maintenance fund to the improvement fund without the authority of the exec utive committee, but he claims that it was for necessary Improvements for the home and there were no other funds to pay it. The executive committee claim that MT. Brooks never furnished them any statement of this indebtedness against the home and they had no knowl- edge of its existence. After making the above payments on October 4. 1905, MT. Brooks turned over to Dr. Fielder, his successor only S633.14 for the support of sixty-one inmates for the quarter end ing December 31, 1905. This leaves the home In a serious financial condition. The s63314 will hardly support the in- mates of the home for one month, and the winter clothing has not been pur- chased The inmates are badly in need of clothing of all kinds quilts, blankets, hats, shoes, coats, underwear and over coats. While they have sufficient food, greater variety is needed.
 Not Enough Money.
 "The annual appropriation of sl25 for each inmate was largely an experiment and is insufficient. The salaries of the oommandant. adjutant, physician and en- gineer, the wages of the nurses, cooks and other employees, insurance, burial and other incidental expenses have to be paid out of this appropriation.
 MT. Brooks made me an estimate the actual expenses of supporting sixty one inmates for one month and which estimate Is endorsed by Dr. Fielder, the present commandant. It shows a monthly deficit of s12S.2S and an annual deficit of s1, ,539 36 After careful investigation I think this estimate is very economical, and in fact too economical for the proper support and comfort of the inmates who are mostly old and helpless and practi- cally unable to assist in the mainte- nance.
 'eThe appropriation should be s175 an- nually for each inmate, and there should be an appropriation to improve the walks and roads in the home. which are In bad condition and to make necessary repairs on the buildings. Since it's establish ment there have been 105 inmates in the home 67 are there now. 23 have died N 15 left. This institution deserves the support of the people of Alabama. It is not much longer that these warworn, battle-scared veterans will be an expense to the state, and it should not only oe our duty, but our pleasure. by state ap- propriation and public donation to make their declining years as free from care and as comfortable as possible. Respect fully,
 "J. T. GORMAN.
 "State Examiner of Public Accounts"