Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-25
COMFORT OF The VETERANS
REPORT ON CONDITIONS AT SOL
DIERS' HOME.
Extensive building Improvements
Being Made-Hospital for Infec-
tious Diseases Urged.

The board of commissioners of the Sol
diers Home, near this city, has submitted
It's annual report to the War Department.
II shows that there We're ]. 332 benelciarles
on the rolls the 1st of July last being a
decrease of SO during the past fiscal year.
The total number now on the rolls Is &C
counted for as follows: Present at the
home. 927: outdoor relief. 232; In the
Government Hospital for the Insane, 3s: on
furlough, 1e: absent without leave. 4: alb
sent sick in the general hospital a. Fort
Bayard, 100; suspended, a.; and sick at
Fort Huachuca. Ariz.. 1.
The daily average number OF inmates
present during the year was 9G5. Last year
the average was 1913, and the preceding
year 921.
The total number of deaths vas 119: last
year 1t was SO.
Who the Benef1ciaries Are.
There are 70 benefciaries who served in
the war with Mexico. and 342 who served
in the civil war.
Over one-half of the beneflciaries are
Americans. about one-1fth -rish ard one
sixth German.
The ages of the resident inmates range
from twenty-five to eighty-nine years: 5l3
are from sixty TO elgnty-nlne years oi aSe
and 303 have served from twenty to thirty
one years In the army
Based on the actual running expenses or
the home (Which does not include the
amounts paid for outdoor relief. expense OF
inmates at Fort Bayard, etc.), the average
cost per man per month was $2'.1s. OF
which amount 1892 was for subsistence.
Advantage of the Farm.
According to the report the account OF
the farm and shows that their MAIN
tenance has been beneficial to the home.
and that they have produced early and late
vegetables and better quality Of milk
than can be obtained by contract.
The general sanitary condition OF the
home and grounds is reported to have been
excellent throughout the year, the water
supply and drainage satisfactory, and there
has been no prevalent or epidemic disease
among the inmates.
The board says that the buildings, roads
and grounds have been kept in excellent
condition, and the officers of the home have
performed their duties IN very satisfac-
tory manner. The comfort of the inmates
has received every attention, and especial
care has been given to the food and cloth
ing supplied as well as to all other mat
tie looking to the welfare and content
ment OF the inmates
With the approval of the Secretary of
War. the board has authorized the con-
struction of small building for the isola-
diseases, at an estimated cost OF $4,000;
the extension of the fence 70 close in the
south and east boundary of the homo
grounds, about 16 600 feet, at estimated
cost of S55, 600; the erection of a small one
story and basement building. adjoining the
hospital, to contain offices for the medical
officers. dispensary and storeroom. al a cost
Of $4,000, and the erection of additional
greenhouses to meet the Increased demands
for plants and flowers for the hospital,
funerals and chapel, at an approXimated
cost OF $4,000
Improvements in Progress.
The following permanent improvements
are being made at the home, and when they
are completed, the board says 1t Is reason
able to expect that they will furnish, in
modern buildings and conveniences. all that
will be required for years to come:
mess hall with dormitory accommoda-
tons for 400 men; a central heat, light and
power house. including laundry and a re-
frigerating plant; additions to the hospital
dining room and kitchen; an isolation pa
vilion for the treatment of infectious dis
eases, a guard house, an Office building ad-
joining the hospital for the medical officers
dlspensary, etc: two sets of officers quar-
tiers; additional greenhouses and the con-
struct:on of about 1900 feet Of fence to
complete the inclosing of the home grounds.
posted in the United States Treasury is
stated at $4.444. $50. an increase of Ss5755
curing the past fiscal year.
Would Repeal the Tax.
Col. Galbraith, acting inspector general
Of the army who made inspection Of the
home, urges in his report the repeal of the
law levying a tax of 1919 cents a month on
the pay of every enlisted man in the regu-
lar army for the support Of the home. He
says that in view of the fact that the
home receives an ample revenue from other
sources the income from this tax is not
needed and he adds, IAN unnecessary tax
Is ground for grievans and~the eX-Volun-
teer gets similar benefits without such en-
forced contributions"