New Britain herald., 1927-01-17
SOLDIERS RELIEF BETTER HANDLED
 BY STATE OFFICE
Governors Commission Advises Change in Management Of
 Noroton Home for Vets
POINTS OUT WAY WHEREBY
 SAVINGS ARE POSSIBLE

SAVINGS ARE POSSIBLE S27,OO0 a Year Saving on Personnel
 Alone Reported Possible-Investi-
 gators Find that Some Old Men
 at Home Have Made Money While
 Living on state Funds and Rela-
 tives got it.
 New Haven, Jan. 17.-P- State administration of Fitch's Home for the Soldiers at Noroton, at present and for more than half century conducted as a place for proper care, support and medical treatment of war veterans, in place of the vet eran administrative board which for years has been in factional con- troversies, is recommended by the governors commission which re- gently made an inquiry into condl- tions at the home.
 The state does not have full title to the institution but this may be acquired, Veteran administration has always been on the theory that vet erans themselves were best able to see that their former comrades-ln- arms were taken care of. The con- missions report makes the recom- mendation that the home be taken over by the department of state agencies and institutions segregated possibly into Q division organized for soldiers relef.
 Financial Maneuvers
 Conditions which have existed at the home have been analysed for the commission and the report which goes to Governor TrumbuIl and the general assembly covers not only what has been brought out but opinions and recommendations of these who delved into these condi- tions. There have been inmates of the home who accumulated sub stantial savings" and never paid the state for their keep but whose sav- ings went to relatives. There also have been instances where veterans with bank accounts have been taken out by friends" until they could be relieved of their money.
 The commission recommends many changes in the paid personnel of the home which if carried out would effect a saving of over SoT, 900 a year.
 Col. Seciey Praised
 William A. Hendrick, secretary Of the commission in speaking of the report said in part: Worthy of special mention is the splendid rec ord made by Colonel Henry J. Seeley. superintendent of the home for the past seven years, under con- ditions which would long since have discouraged and undoubtedly driven into retirement, any ordinary man.
 Until about a year ago Colonel Seeley, in attempting to conduct the institution and bring order out of chaos, was compelled to work with a majority of the executive commit tee of the board against him. This hostility even went to such an extent that certain of Colonel Seeley's i'm portant subordinates constantly re- fused to recognize his authority, and, instead. went over his head and dealt directly with the executive committee.
 As soon as the complexion of this committee was changed a year ago, by the appointment 10 places there on of Captain George A. Tucker of New Haven. and Captain Christian Schwartz of Norwalk, Colonel Sceley, finding himself at last supported by a majority. im- mediately took various steps to rectify the deplorable conditions. As the report of Griffenhagen and as- sociaes, limited, to our commission plainly shows, Colonel seeley has made much progress in this direction during the past year. It is safe to say that had he been given a free hand throughout the seven years of his administration, as has been the case during the past twelve months, Fitch's Home for the Soldiers would have been more efficiently con- ducted institution.
 Colonel Over 80 Years Old
 Colonel Seeley, who is now more than so years of age has frequently stated that it Is his desire to stay in his position long enough to make the home what 1t ought to be, and 10 see that his old comrades are sure of proper care during the re- mainder of their lives. As can be seen by a careful perusal of the finding of the Griffenhagen experts, Colonel Seeley has now virtually ac- record at Noroton is one of which not only he, but all members of the grand army and allied organizations can well be proud"
 Cost is Double
 A per capita cost for the main tenance of the veterans nearly double what it should be, admission of veterans without inquiry as to their financial status, admission of veterans who have not seen actual service through too liberal interpretation of the term, and condition of efficiency in the conduct of the home are some of the findings of Griffenhagen and asso- ciates. limited, report.
 The finding, which forms appendix E of the report of the commission, to be presented to the general assembly within the next few days, was made public today by William A. HendriclS of this city, secretary of the com with the approval Of Gov
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