Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-07

Representative R. P. Bishop.
| Campbell, past national commander of the
Sons of Veterans; Capt. J. Walter Mitchell.
commander of the Department of the Dis
trict of Columbia, United Spanish War
Veterans and secretary Of the national
committee on legislation, and Capt. A. A.
Maxim, superintendent of the temporary
home.
Representative Bishop manifested a deep
interest in the proposition for providing
American soldiers of the civil war and the
war with Spain with comfortable and
sanitary quarters. He referred to the great
mortality among the grim old fighters of
the sixties and said il was his belief that
when the senators and representatives,
case they would vote to appropriate
sufficient sum for the purpose.
Building in View.
Col Chase said the board of management
had in view a suitable building for the
home not far from the center of the city.
1t was, he added a large five-story struc-
ture of substantial. construction, and hav-
ing ample yard room, which could be used
as a breathing space for the veterans. 1t
was his opinion that the property could
be purchased and remodeed inside to suit
the needs of a temporary home for about
$50, 600.
Judge Kimball stated that the. Grand
Army of the Republic. at its last national
encampment at Minneapolis. had unani-
mously adopted a resolution introduced by
him favoring the appropriation by con-
gress of sum sufficient to provide suit
able home in Washington. He added tat
the solid influence and interest of the G.
A. r. were consequently with the PROPOSE
ton for a better Institution.
Judge Kimball ad led that many persons
had the mistaken idea that the Soldiers and
Sailors Temporary Home is an institution
local to the District of Columbia. He
stated that the home is national in its
scope, as nearly all the veterans given shell
ter and food there have been from the
states. Therefore, he thought the project
should appeal to all senators and represen-
tatives.
Capt Maxim. the superintendent of the
institution, said its records would show
that less than per cent of the veterans
accommodated have been from the District
of Columbia
Views of Mr. Edison.
MrJohn Joy Edison said the necessity for
better home was patent to all who had
any knowledge of present conditions. He
added that as a member of the board OF
charities he had frequently visited the tenn
porary home and inspected its workings.
and he commended Superintendent Maxim
for doing as well as he has done under ex-
listing circumstances. 1t was his opinion
that Congress would act favorably in the
premises when IL learned of the over
overcrowded and insanitary condition OF
the present cramped quarters.
Speaking for the United Spanish War
Veterans, Capt. ]. Walter Mitchell said the
national encampment of that organization
held at Milwaukee in 1905 and again in
Washington last October had passed by
unanimous vote resolutions favoring a new
and better home, and instructing the ma
tional committee on legislation to assist in
every possible manner in bringing about
that result. He also said that similar ac-
ton had been taken by ,le last national
assembly Of the Army and Navy Union.
practically all the patriotic organiZa-
lions of the United States" added Capt.
Mitchell, ''are unanimous for the establish
ment of suitable home for INDECENT soldiers
and sailors who may have occasion to come
to the capital
Mai. Ferree said the building the board of
management has in view is splenddly
adapted for the purposes mentioned and the
price asked for IL is reasonable.
This view was concurred in by Col. Hop
kins. Col. Stone. Col. Campbell and the
others present.
Capt Maxim informed those present that
it cost but % cents per inmate per day to
conduct the home including rent, fuel light,
food and salaries, this amount being about
one-half of the cost per capita at the ma
tional homes for volunteer soldiers and less
than one-third of the per diem expenses per
man at the home for regular soldiers in this
District.
The necessity of a larger building SO that
hospital ward can be installed was
shown Capt. Maxim said many of the
Spanish war soldiers who stopped at the
home showed evidences of their hard serv-
ice in the tropics
MANY of them" he added, appear to
be about half dead"
Endorsed by Commander Brown.
The statement was made that Gen Rob-
ert Bruce Brown, commander-in-chief of
the G. A. R., is expected to come to this
city from GAINESVILLE. Ohio. next month, and
1t is believed he will lend his personal ef-
forts and influence to the project Of provid-
ing a better temporary home here for the
soldier soJourners from the states.
At the conclusion of the conference last
night the friends and officers of the insti-
tuition inspected a building they have in
view for the temporary home of the future.