The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-05-28
VET" At HOME
To RETAIN ALL
0F PENSIONS
Will No Longer Divide Money
With Institution
RULE CAUSED TROUBLE
Special Meeting of Trustees to Act
on Report Of Legislative lnvesti-
eating Committee

There was special meeting of the
board of trustees of the Vermont sol
diers' home here yesterday called for
the purpose Of acting upon the recon-
mendations in the report of the spec
ial committee from the legislature
that made an investigation of the in
stitution late in the winter.
The committee is composed of Hon.
John e. Weeks of Middlebury
and Representative H. II. Carr of st.
Johnsbury and S. c. Carpenter of
Richford. AT the time the committee
visited the home the superintendent,
George P. Martin, was incapacitated
because of an injury to his knee from
which he has now nearly recovered.
The members OF the committee
were at the home for only a portion of
the day and 1t is apparent from the re
port that their investigation did not
go much below the surface OF things.
II would be impossible for any three
men to obtain comprehensive know.
ledge OF the workings of such an in
stitution in such a brief period of
time. The members of the committee
undoubtedly did the best they could
in the limited time at their disposal
but some OF the recommendations
show lack OF comprehension of exist
ing circumstances, Some of these
recommendation could not possibly
be carried out unless more money is
placed at the disposal OF the trustees.
A contractor has estimated that one
of these recommendation new
hardwood floor in the hospital, would
necessitate the expenditure of one.
half the repair appropriation OF $1,000.
With the exception of a few minor
criticisms, the report commended the
management of the institution. The
report called attention to the mussed
condition of the beds in the hospital
but at the same time accounted for
it through the fact that the patients
were accustomed to lie upon the COW
erings when dressed. II recon.
mended the employment of one or
more nurses in the hospital and that
the rule requiring veterans to turn in
one-half of their pensions to assist in
the support of the home be rescinded.
The report stated that the members
of the committee at the time of their
visit took occasion to interview the
veterans from whom they received
practically no complaints. The din.
ing room and kitchen, both as to food
and service were commended.
At the meeting yesterday the trus.
| tees decided to carry out the recon.
mendation of the committee rescind
ing the rule requiring veterans to di
vide their pensions with the institu.
ton This ruling, which has applied
to all veterans entering the home
since 1913. has been the cause OF
much friction among the inmates OF
the home as 1t Disseminated in favor
OF veterans who were at the home
previous to the date on which it went
into effect.
Dissatisfaction over this ruling was
responsible for the appointment OF
the investigating committee and was
brought about by veteran who had
entered the home with full under
standing Of the entrance conditions
When his quarterly pension became
due he refused to turn over the half
Of the amount required, left the insti
tuition with the threat that he would
make trouble for the management.
President Hugh Henry Of Chester
presided at the meeting and the 9TH
er trustees in attendance we're f. J.
Ormsbee of Brandon, Charles f.
Beach of Burlington, Capt. N. F. Dun.
shee of Bristol, Henry o. Carpenter
and II. II. Kenney of Rutland, II. T,
Cushman and H. p. Mccullough OF
North Bennington, l.. w. Bush OF
Brookline.