New Britain herald., 1927-01-17
SOLDIERS RELIEF
 BETTER HANDLED h BY STATE OFFICE
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ernor John A. Trumbull and Chair man Seth Low Pierrepont of Ridge field.
 Recommendation for reduction of the number of employees of the home from S7 to 55, with a net reduction by seven in the number of employees receiving full maintenance. are made with an estimate that saving of s27,6O3.S4 would result. In addition. method of utilization of unoccupied space sufficient to accommodate 400 is suggested in the report.
 Transference Of Control
 Transference of control to board not composed of veterans, as is that tntendent in place of president mili- tary superintendent and surgeon are recommended.
 Much of the reduction in person. nel would come through doubling of duties on the part of the attendants additional salaries for performance of added duties, and by having many of the lighter tasks performed free of charge by inmates who now Twill perform no duties whatever except at an agreed rate of pay"
 The first difficulty met with by the investigators was that "the past rec ords pertaining to the financial transactions of the home were found to be in a chaotic condition. xxx Even the superintendent could not get desired information from his own bookkeeper, who was under the pro- lection of the executive committed"
 It was found, however, that the present superintendent, Colonel Henry J. Seeley. appointed in 1919, 'for the express purpose of straight ening out the affairs of the institu- tion" has apparently made a sincere effort to do so, although according to all the evidence his hands have been tied by hostile executive com- mittee and an unresponsive stan who looked to the executive committee to keep them in their positions even against the will of the superinten. dent"
 Money Methods Lax
 The methods of handling money up to recently. was found to be "most unsatisfactory" but new methods have largely remedied this.
 "I-he laws relating to the inabil- ity of veterans to support themselves have been liberally interpreted: it would appear that practically no in- quiries are made in any case to as- certain tho financial condition of ap- plicants for admission to the home. It does not seem likely, under the present policy, that even if an ap- plicant were in receipt of a pension of $50 a month or more. and in ad- dition had some funds on hand, his application would be refused,' says the report, and goes on to tabulate pensions of inmates to show that al- though one receives s100 month, twos9O a month, IS SIP, one s52 and 6s $50 monthly, while 5s receive from $50 to $40, these men are be- ing supported entirely by the state.
 Some of the veterans. during the period of their stay at the home, are able to accumulate substantial sav- ings which in the event of their death pass to their heirs" 1t was found. By supporting them free of charge, the state is actually provid- ing a sum of money for their friends or relatives.
 "Friends" Too Grasping
 eve have also the spectacle Of the friends who cannot await the nat ural course, but who inveigle inmates from the home for a period just long enough to get their money"
 It is recommended that the finan- cial status of applicants for admis- sion be investigated, and those &C., ccpted be required to pay for their support, In whole or in part. accord ing to their financial ability.
 The "ordinary recurring per cap ita cost" on the basis of figures for the past two fiscal years, was found to be $1,022.35 for 1924-25 and $1,- o35.O6 for 1s25-26," more than double what 1t ought to be. Two similar institutions located in an- other state, and with reputation for extravaganza, show per capita costs of s530 and $531 respectively and even they are subjected to criticism on the grounds that the per capita cost is too high. The food service at these institutions is $1S5 as against 32s7 in the same years at Fitch's home for the soldiers"
 In considering the question of gen. eral management, the report con- cludes that 'it is a mistake to per. init veteran organizations as such to have any part in the management of a home that exists for the benefit of needy veterans or to have the direct control of the adminis- tration of state aid and relief to war veterans. They would be in much | stronger position to offer advice or criticism were they in an entirely in- dependent relation with tho state and those of their comrades who are entitled to the benefits of the home. or other relief"
 The present board of the home, | consisting of the governor, adjutant | general, surgeon general and repre- sentative each of the Civil Spanish and World War veterans Is criticised ! as removed from effective contact with a central state department" as composed of members not e1peri- enced in institutional administration, and as not in a position to consider the best interests of the state and it's people as a whole.
 The state officials who are ex- officio members "seldom, If ever take an active interest in the man. agement of the home. or any part in