Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-18
Congressman BurIeigh's
Work for Togus.
Appropriation Of $1,000 for In
provement Of Library.
inquiry Into Management Of the Home
Canteen.

at Togus was said before the House
Committee on Appropriations uu'lH5
the framing of the Sundry civil App'"-
priations Bill. ON the whole. me com
mittec was pretty generous IN inc
amounts allowed. Governor BuiIeis"
has been persistently at work during
the entire session with the members "i
the committee in behalf of securing IA
yorabIe legislation for worthy objects
nt the Home He has been in constant
touch with Representative BloWhIo" "l
Tennessee who is not only a member OF
the committee but is one ~ the mana
gers of the National Homes Throughout
The country. He has h.Id many con
ferenceS with chairman ana senator
elect HeHIenwly. Congressman Bur
leigh has been specially irslSttnt. -hhd
at times when success SEEMED exceed
ingly doubtful-in his recommended
ton az an appropriation Of S'.iii for
the alteration and enlargement of the
library. an object that vas close To- The
hearts ~ tn. old soldiers. This amount
WAS reported on ia" bill. The apprO-
pTiatinn that Secretary Taft asked in
q special communication for a separate
chapel WAS not granted. The Other
items allowed were practically III.
same as requested. making a total Of
S33s O00 for the support of the TuEuS
Home for the fiscal year that begins
July | next. OF this $4,000 is un-
der the heading Of current expenses $.
sl3i.OOO under the heading OF subsist-
ence. $1,000 under the heading OF
household. $50 900 for hospital. Sc. 200
n
Mai. Moses Harris the treasurer of
the National ii lme branches gave most
of the testimony before the subrom-
IPittec that prepared that portion of
the bill. Chat. man Hemenway WAS
averse to Increasing the total for
household. The Board Of Managers
has estimated that $4,000 would be
necessary under that head. AT Togus
they have an additional barracks" sail
Maj. Harris, and in addition to the
hospital, which adds to the cost of thu
heating and il is believed that the in
creased amount will be needed"
They put in "a very substantial in
cease on the hospital interposed Gen.
n. Il. Mcmahon, the President Of the
Board of Managers, end have made it
one Of the very best of cur hospitals.
Before that It was the very reverse.
OF course that requires some additional
money. The hospital include operating
rooms and everything
1t has previously bean explained that
the increase 20. hous alold al TOgus, as
estimated. had been from $4,000 to
$4,000. Mai. HlrriS then explained
that he believed the estimate could be
reduced to 1900, rs the Togus Home
hoped to get through the coming year
without any deficiency and this was
the amount finally agreed upon.
Maj Harris also asked an increase Of
$1,000 in the item for the hospital. 1T
is absolutely necessary" said he, land
involves some additional employees"
Last year We gave you $4,000 for
the hospital, SO, 900 for the new stable,
observed Cha can Hemenway. I'm
der those circumstances can not this
increase be stricken Gut?"
1T is very necessary to have a she'd"
persisted Major Harris. 1T would
save money to put it in now. 1t must
be put in soon. The one we have
there is of no account. The labor of
putting coal into that shed and taking
it out amounts to great deal.
General Nc Mahon made a brief plea
for more money for IA greenhouse but IL
did not make much of an impression
upon the subcommittee. some three
or four years ago" said he. 1--WE asked
for $4,000 for the extension OF the
greenhouse and the estimate was cut
down to 5000. We have expended
$1,000 but il is not sufficient to take
care of the greenhouse and to build it
as the original plan intended.
General Mcmahon also made strong
plea for an addition to the library.
SLOW many inmates have you at
that home" inquired Representative
Gardner Of Michigan, a member of the
subcommittee.
1.-The number. present and absent, is
800" replied General Mcmahon. ut
varies a little. The number has gone
up as high as 1000 but in the last year
<e have been admitting no one at
Togus because the Home has been
overcrowded'
"What place have you for amuse-
ment now at Togus?" inquired Mr.
Hemenway.
1--WE have a theater and we have the
is about all we have for amusement
The theater. of course, is maintained
by the post fund. We also have lee
lures. Then we have the grounds
which are kept in very good order and
are new being laid out as a park.
II think this is n very meritorious
estimate" mterposed Major Harris.
I'VE asked for it last year but did not
get *"
The hearing then branches into
statements about the canteen. Mr.
Gardner. who was formerly a minister
of the gospel before he turned poll
tician. inquired how beer was served
and what limit was put upon the men.
No man under the influence Of
liquor at any time Is allowed in tn,
canteen." said General Mcmahon
land a man who cannot stand two
glasses of beer can get only one glass
\ man can sit down and order a sand
wich. for which he pays. and then he
can take a glass of beer il he wants
to. There is always a sergeant in
charge. and if a man shows the slight