Evening star., 1916-10-21
SOLDIERS HOME FEELS
HIGH COST Of LIVING
Increased Expense in Maintaining
Institution Due Largely to That
Cause, Says Report.

That the high cost of living has
struck the Soldiers Homo In this CITY
as well as homes of Washington's cftf-
zenry in general Is brought out IN the
annual report of the board Of commits
sioners of the home. "the increased ex-
pense being largely DUE" says the re-
port. "to the increased cost OF all liv-
ing expenses"
1t now costs $34.52 per month to
maintain each Of the lat residents at
the home. according to figures present.
ed In the report. and Of this amount
s11.55 is spent for subsistence, which
means food.
1t appears, however. that the inmates
are well able to bear the expense, as
the permanent fund Of the home in the
United states Treasury az am9aats 9ea s,neo 20
June 80. 1915. That balance exists de-
spite the fact that $600,712 was dis
bursed during the past fiscal year for
current expenses and permanent Inn
provemehts of tho home, being $35.16
less than the income and available re-
sources during the year In addition.
the treasurer Of the home paid to the
legal heirs of inmate pensioners the
s3o.315 Of funds belonging to inmate
pensioners. Inmates who do not get
pensions receive from the home $3.50 q
month as pocket money.
Increase in Inmates,
The daily average number Of inmates
during the last year was 1.117, an in
crease as compared with preceding
years. and the average age Of inmates
was 57.s5 years. The total number Of
deaths last year was 133, as against
1875 for the previous year.
The amusements provided for the
members of the home consist OF motion
pictures. band and vocal concerts and
other entertainments. There is no
charge for admission. Five motion
tnciusive-and three band concerts a
week during the same period, with en-
tertatnments Interpreted. During the
summer months 1ve band concerts .
nasium and facilities are provided for
playing pool, billiards. chess, checkers,
cards. shufneboard and golf The ex-
penses for Amusements. other than the
The board says the management Of
the internal affairs Of the home has
been highly satisfactory in every re-
spect and that the comfort, welfare
received every attention. It is stated
also that the products of the farm and
dairy were Of great benent to the
home. Attention is invited to the gov
ernor's report respecting the excellent
dairy herd of fine stock and its pro-
ductiveness. The estimated value of
the herd is $41,040.
100 Acres Under Cultivation
The area of the reservation is about
SOP acres acquired at a cost of $256, ,220,
and 1S0 acres are under cultivation
either as farm, as vegetable garden or
as propagating ground for plants
shrubs. etc.
According to the board the general
sanitary condition Of the home and
grounds has been excellent during the
year, the water supply and drainage
are satisfactory and there has been no
prevalent or epidemic diseases.
In an accompanying report Acting
Inspector General Brewster says that
the home IL maintained in excellent
condition. He recommends that steps
be taken to obtain legislation to ex-
tend the right of membership In the
home to retired enlisted men no longer
able to care for themselves. "Discharg-
ed soldiers drawing pensions greater
In amount than the highest retired pay
Of enlisted men," says he, "are eligible
for membership and 1t 10 believed that
thirty years faithful service to the
government should be recommenda-
tion rather than bar to membership"