REPORT OF THE INSPECTION OF THE SOLDIERS' HOME.

WAR DEPARTMENT, INSPECTOR-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, D. C., November 26, 1895.

SIR: I have the honor to submit a report of the inspection of the Soldiers' Home, District of Columbia, begun October 14, 1895, with the assistance of Mr. W. T. Kent, the accountant of the Department, in the financial affairs.

The usual exhibits giving detailed information on various matters are appended hereto.

The administration of the Home has remained under the efficient charge of Brig. Gen. David S. Stanley, who is ably assisted by Capt. D. A. Irwin, deputy governor, and Maj. Rich. C. Parker, secretary and treasurer.

The establishment as a whole presented a commendable appearance; the grounds and roads were in their proverbially perfect order, and the buildings in admirable police, giving evidence of the care with which the attractiveness of the reservation is maintained. The walks have been considerably extended in recent years, and since the street cars have reached the confines of the Home there will doubtless be a greater number of pedestrians than formerly, and the roadways should be freed from their presence by excellent and well-located walks. There were expended during the year $3,184.14 for care and ornamentation of the grounds.

It is submitted that the plants and conservatory should be so placed as to be an object of interest to the inmates in winter as well as summer, and a building like that at the lake entrance of the volunteer Home at Dayton is recommended for this purpose.

BUILDINGS.

The barracks and other buildings seemed generally in excellent condition; the Scott and Sherman buildings were pointed up during the year, but not before unsightly stains had appeared upon the bedroom walls of this imposing structure, which seems to have settled and cracked in places; the boilers at the engine house were reset, and a number of repairs and improvements were made at other buildings and at the engine house at a cost of $1,965.36. The Sheridan Building, which was first occupied in 1885, should be pointed up about the doors, window casings, and baseboards and painted throughout. It has not been painted since occupation, except the amusement hall in the basement. It is understood that the painting has been ordered for some time and will be begun at an early date. It would improve appearances if the three hundred or more lockers in the Sherman and Scott buildings and annex were painted to correspond with the stands, as has been done in the Sheridan and King buildings; or the upright three-shelved

locker being introduced at the Dayton Home, or the still taller ones at the new post of Ethan Allen would be a still greater improvement. Otherwise the lockers, as also beds and bedding, were in good condition; indeed there are few things about the Home which have shown greater improvement during the past few years. There were one hundred and twenty-six vacant beds reported in the barracks—an increase of seventy-three over the number at the previous inspection, and there was a corresponding increase in the floor and cubic air space per man. The floor space ranged from 64 to 506 square feet, and averaged 148 per man; and the air space from 1,239 to 2,618 cubic feet, and averaged 1,635 per man. This is over twice the averages found at the volunteer Homes, and equals the requirements for hospitals. The bareness of the walls and floors attracts attention.

It is submitted that in any future purchases of iron bunks the hospital size entirely of metal be adopted for all purposes. The comfort and freedom from vermin more than compensates for the small additional cost for an article which lasts so long and is so essential to the comfort of feeble old soldiers, some of whom are blind. Ventilation, heat, and lighting appear to be satisfactory, though it would seem to be in the line of progress and economy were electricity int: oduced, as is done at the volunteer Homes, and other comforts found at them might also be beneficially introduced, such as porches or corridors, inclosed in glass during winter, and passenger elevators in buildings over two stories high, the water being pumped back for use over again. The capacity of the five barrack buildings is 710, and there seems to be vacant space unutilized that might be more beneficially employed, such as the old dining room. A good many broken window panes were noted in the outbuildings. The imposing size of these dormitory buildings (like the central one at the Milwaukee Home) and the comparatively small size of the rooms are noticeable features. There are additional expenses incurred by constructing smaller buildings with such considerable floor space.

MEMBERS.

The average number present during the twelve months ending September 30, 1895, was 678.25. This is the lowest average reported for the past four years, and is 55.50 below the average for 1894; 72.75 below that of 1893, and 66.75 below that of 1892. The highest number present during the year was 727, on February 15, 1895, and the minimum 612, on July 5, 1895, being 55 and 46 less, respectively, than the figures reported for 1894. The average number absent during the year was 380, which is the same as reported for the preceding year. The age of the members present on September 30, 1895, averaged 54.17 years, and of those admitted since that date 45.6 years. This is slightly less than reported at the previous inspection. There were 1,755 old soldiers cared for, including 263 transients, against 1,850 the preceding year. The actual number present and absent on September 30, 1895, was 1,002, or 63 less than at the corresponding time of the previous year; so it seems there has been a considerable loss in membership.

DISCIPLINE.

The proportionate number of delinquencies committed during the year is but a fraction of a per cent higher than for the preceding year, though there is a falling off in the number of habitual offenders. Exclusive of the 263 transients, there were 1,492 old soldiers cared for during the year, and only 282 of this number, or 18.9 per cent, were

tried for offenses against the rules, and $1.1 were not tried. There were 184 members tried but once, 63 twice, and 35 more than twice. During the previous year 167 were tried but once, 74 twice, and 47 more than twice. There were two desertions during the year. A large number of trials (153) were for absence without leave, though the pass privileges are liberal, and passes are granted whenever wanted, provided the applicant is not undergoing punishment.

Discipline is enforced in the buildings by first sergeants, floor sergeants, and the Home police, and on the grounds by the provost sergeant, the watchmen and the Home police, of whom there are fourteen. The guardhouse was in good condition and without prisoners at date of inspec tion. The lack of uniformity in the clothing as worn is one of the indications of the absence of company organization and frequent formations, and might perhaps excite remark from military visitors.

AMUSEMENTS.

The lack of facilities for amusements referred to in my previous report of inspection is now being remedied, and the construction of an amusement hall at a cost of $64,000 has been begun. The price and quality of the newer structures here can hardly be compared with those elsewhere, but an amusement or assembly building which promises to meet the requirements has just been designed at the Dayton Home, to cost about $15,000 or $20,000, though they already have a theater; and the one erected at Marion cost about $10,000. Such additional facilities should be a cause of still further improving contentment and discipline, which now compare favorably with that at similar institutions. Perhaps a conservatory similar to the one at Dayton would also be appreciated. There has been no increase in the band during the year. The cost of that organization averages about $135 per aunum for each of the 14 members composing it, which is considerably less than the cost of the bands at the volunteer Homes, where it averaged about $284 per member. Increased allowances for the use and improvement of the band may serve a good purpose. The library contains 6,040 volumes, a reduction of 73 from the number previously reported; and 25 papers and 23 periodicals are subscribed for. Perhaps it would be interesting to note a few of the books that are most read by veteran soldiers at these Homes.

WATER SUPPLY.

The water supply is reported sufficient and satisfactory, though the connection with the city water system does not seem to have entirely obviated the necessity for recourse to the wells and springs on the Home grounds. Facilities for bathing are reported adequate. There are ample bath tubs at both hospital and Home, with hot and cold.

water.

The apparatus for the protection against fire is reported sufficient and in good condition, and frequently tested. It consists of water plugs and hose and reel under charge of an organized fire company. In addition there are hose and fire buckets on each floor, except the Sherman Building. Orders have been issued assigning men to handle hose, take charge of buckets, etc., and giving instructions what to do in case of fire.

DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE.

The system of drainage and sewerage is reported in good condition. It consists of underground drains of terra cotta pipe connecting with the city sewers, except from the officers' quarters, which are said to

empty on the surface and flow off through two ravines. are flushed with water from tanks.

The sewers

Garbage is disposed of by sale and removed daily or frequently in carts. The system in vogue at several of the volunteer Homes, as Leavenworth, Hampton, Marion, etc., is commended to attention.

DISBURSEMENTS.

The disbursements and accounts of the treasurer were inspected from March 8, 1895, the date of last inspection, to October 12, 1895. The following is a summary:

Attention has been repeatedly invited to the undesirable and dangerous practice of keeping cash balances on hand, and the necessity therefor would seem to be avoidable or minimized where the depository is within such easy reach as here. The books in the treasurer's office were neatly and properly kept.

On October 15, 1895, there were 635 members present at the Home, whose average length of service has been about sixteen years each. Of this number 515 were pensioners, who averaged slightly over $11.50 per month each. A large percentage of these men are thrifty, and have balances to their credit. On September 30, 1895, there was due them $46,626.04. Were inducements held out to them by giving a small rate of interest on their savings it should have a beneficial effect. The treasurer received on pension money during the fiscal year $83,189.20, and paid out during the same time $83,176.52. One clerk, who is paid $20 per month from the Home funds, makes all pension vouchers, keeps all pension accounts, and attends to correspondence and other office work in connection therewith.

The transactions affecting the permanent fund during the past two years may be stated as follows:

Compared with last year's expenses, there seems to be a reduction of $9.88 per capita, and with the preceding year of $29.44. That there should have been a reduction in the average cost of maintenance simultaneously with a largely reduced membership without apparently lowering quantity or quality of food or clothing, speaks well for the management of the institution.

EMPLOYEES.

The amount paid for services during the year was as follows:

This is a reduction of nearly $3,000 from the amount paid for services during the preceding year, though there were 3 more members and 3 more civilians employed this year; and there is a corresponding reduction in the average daily pay, which has been to members 363 cents and to civilians $1.253. The extreme daily pay to members was $1.663 and to civilians $4. The extremes are higher than reported last year. The amount paid for services during the past year is about 34.5 per cent of the total expenditures, and the ratio of employees to average membership is about 40.7 per cent. The sum expended for services