Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-17
OVER FOUR MILLIONS
Great Growth of the Soldiers
Home Fund.
ANNUAL REPORTS FILED
Sanitary Condition of the Institution
Excellent.
WORK ON NEW BUILDINGS
Principal offenses Of the Inmates Are
Drunkenness and Absence
Without Leave.

annual reports of the board of commits
sioners, the governor, the treasurer and
Inspector General Galbraith, which reports
were made public at the War Department
today. These reports show that the num-
Der of officers and members present June
80, 1906, was 919; absent, 453; total, 1872;
as against 1888 for the preceding year-a
net gain of thirty-four. The average num-
Der present during the year was 942; aver
age number absent, 1874; total average num-
Der present and absent. 1876. The average
temporarily cared for was about thirty-f1ve;
and the total number cared for during the
year was 1867, as compared with 1925 for
the previous year-an increase Of forty-two.
The total number Of deaths last year was
ninety-eight. against eighty-four for the
previous year.
The Beneiciaries.
There are 1O2 beneficiaries who served in
the war with Mexico and 1856 who served
in the civil war
Over one-half Of the benefciaries are
Americans, about one-fifh Irish, and one
sixth German.
The ages of the resident inmates range
from % to Of years; 476 are from 60 to 81
years Of age, and POI have served from
twenty to thirty-one years in the army.
Based on the actual running expenses Of
the home (Which do not include the
amounts paid for outdoor relief, expense of
inmates at Fort Bayard, etc.), the average
cost per man per month was $2442, OF
which amount 1921 was for subsistence.
The account of the farm and dairy shows
that their maintenance has been beneficial
to the home, and that they have produced
early and late vegetables and a better
quality of milk than can be obtained by
contract.
The amount of the permanent fund of the
home deposited in the United States treas
ury is stated at 1850, 135, increase Of
81, ,O97 since October l, 1894, or more
than SO per cent. The increase in the in
come from the interest on the same has
Increased more than 81 per cent.
In their report the commissioners say:
The general sanitary condition of the
home and grounds has been excellent
drainage are satisfactory, and there has
been no prevalent or epidemic disease
among the inmates.
THE buildings, roads and grounds have
been kept in excellent condition, and the
officers of the home performed their duties
in a highly satisfactory manner The COM
fort of the inmates has received every at
tention, and especial care has been given
to the food and clothing supplied, as we'll
as to all other matters looking to the well
fare and contentment Of the inmates.
The New Mess Hall.
Sdpl. JoAu .. oSWSIl, SOi pS Va
was detailed July 1, 1905, as constructing
charge of the construction Of the nev mess
hall and all the various other improvements
decided upon by the board and approved by
the Secretary of War.
lowing to unavoidable causes, the be-
ginning of the work of construction on
the mess hall was somewhat delayed, but
during the past year fair progress has been
made in the work. The plans and speci-
fications for the central heating, light and
power plant having been completed pro-
posals were invited, but the bids received
were unsatisfactory, and the work is there
fore delayed for further investigation and
study by the constructing officer in order
to secure a satisfactory plant within the
limit OF cost fixed upon by the board. The
power station is to include a laundry and
refrigerating plant. both OF which are
very necessary improvements.
plans and specifications are nearly COM
pleted for the erection of guardhouse,
much-needed building as the present &C
commodations are inadequate for the de-
tention of inmates requiring to be placed
under restraint the present confinement
rooms being in the basement Of the Scott
building.
Quarters for officers.
"Plans and specifications are also in course
Of preparation for the construction of two
sets of officers quarters that will be re-
qured in the near future, as the growth
of the home, with increased duties, will
soon necessitate the detail OF additional
officers for the home.
After the completion of the new addition
to the hospital it was found that additions
to the kitchen and messing facilities were
necessary to meet the requirements Of the
hospital, which has been enlarged that
1t will now accommodate over 200 patients.
Instructions were therefore given the Con-
structing officer to have detailed plans pre-
pared and. these having been completed,
authority has been given to have the work
done by lay labor.
1T is proper to mention that Capt. Sewell
the constructing officer, has rendered very
efficient and valuable service to the home.
and 1t is expected that under his charge
the work now under way, and which it is
estimated will cover a total expenditure of
81, 800 600, will be done in a very satisfac-
tory manner"
Deductions From Pay Approved.
In his report on the annual inspection
of the home Maj. ]. G. Galbraith of the
inspector generals department makes a
recommendation that the law deducting
the sum of 12k cents a month from the
pay of every enlisted man of the regular
army for the support of this home be re-
pealed. He says that this assessment is
consent and failure to pay it does not bar
them from entry into home. 1t Is esti-
mated that more than w per cent of the
involuntary contributors have had no
thought or intention Of availing them
selves of the privileges Of the home, and
the proportion who will seek admission
will be made up largely of men whose
contributions will form an insignificant
part of the total revenue. The exaction
is the more vexatious because unneces-
sary, says the report, and the pay of our
soldiers Is not so liberal as to justify the
claim that this small deduction is net
felt.
Drunkenness and Absence.
The report states that the discipline at
the home was apparently good, the prin-
cipal offenses committed being drunkenness,
absence without leave and bringing liquor
into the home premises. During the year
there were 307 arrests, 139 trials for drunk
enness and II trials for absence without
leave. The total nmber of members Of
Tending was PIG. The percentage Of MEM
bers offending to the average present was
11.25 whereas last year it was 11.67.
Referring to general conditions Maj
Galbraith says:
'"rhe administration is strong and pro-
gressive. The former soldiers are we'll
treated and properly cared for, and the
searching examination confirms the favor
able impression created by the casual visit
1.-The improvements that are heinO mn de