Evening star., 1947-10-05
Soldiers Home Plans
S1o,o00,oO0 Building
PROGRAM in 7 Years

The preparation of a $4,000, 900
master plan" of rehabilitation and
expansion and the start of $335 900
worth of immediate improvements at
Soldiers Home was announced last
night by 1t. Gen. Raymond A.
Wheeler, chief of Army engineers.
Porter and Locke, architect-en-
gineers of Washington, are preparing
the master plan" under the direc-
tion of the Corps of Engineers. The
changes under the plan will begin
in the fiscal year starting July l.
1948, and be completed over a two
year period.
The increase In the number of
eligible members of the home
brought about by the rapid expan-
sion of the Army during World War
I, and the eventual eligibility of
others from the huge Army of the
last war, is the reason for the mod
ernization and expansion program.
Work has been started on the
air conditioning of Stanley Hall, the
auditorium at the home. This work
will cost $4,000 but the home &C
tually is getting a $4,000 job, Gen.
Wheeler said, because of surplus
compressors and other equipment
available.
Site for IncineratOr Surveyed.
A site of a $4,000, lotion per day
capacity incinerator on the grounds
is being selected.
Another $50,O00 is being spent for
fire prevention in existing buildings
including the installation of an
alarm system, new fire exits, the en-
closing of stair wells and elevator
shafts.
Laundry facilities will be expanded.
Gen. Wheeler said $150,000 was
available for this purpose with an
extra 5000 for additional laundry
equipment.
A bill passed by the last session
OF Congress permitted the eXpendi-
ture of $296,00O of the Homes funds
for the preparation and planning of
contract drawings and specifications
for the rehabilitation and expansion
of the establishment.
Funds in Permanent Trust.
While requiring the approval of
Congress, funds for the maintenance
and improvement of the home come
from it's permanent trust fund. Each
enlisted man, including warrant Off
GERS, in the regular Army Is asses
sed 10 cents a month which goes
to the home, and, in addition, all
fines from general courts martial
and forfeited pay in the Army are
applied to this fund. Only enlisted
men from the regular Army are
eligible for membership in the home
The plans will include new domi-
ciliary building to house $50; new
hospital building of 2O0-bed capacity
and minor repairs and improve
ments to existing hospital buildings;
a new nurses home to house 81
nurses; the conversion of an exist
ing building into mortuary chapel;
a 56-man dormitory for farm person
mel in the farm area; and genera,
rehabilitation and expansion OF al
utilities.
Steam is to be substituted for hot
water in heating. Another big
change will be in the electrical sys-
tenn, changing from direct current
to alternating current which means
doing away with the local generator
and the purchase of power from the
Potomac Electric Power Co.
Present Population is 1,500.
"The quarters for members, known
as the domiciliary building, will be
the first constructed under the 194e
program, Gen. Wheeler said. Re-
quirements call for housing 85(
members as one element in the ulti-
mate development of quarters fol
$500 members, including such dining
auditorium and other facilities a.
could be expanded and co-ordinatee