REPORT

OF THE

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE SOLDIERS' HOME.

THE SOLDIERS' HOME,

OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS,

Washington, August 14, 1901.

SIR: Under the requirements of section 1 of the act of Congress approved March 3, 1883, prescribing regulations for the Soldiers' Home in the District of Columbia, I have the honor to submit the following report of the Board of Commissioners of the Soldiers' Home for the nine months ended June 30, 1901:

The following table shows the changes in the number of beneficiaries during that period:

This shows an increase of 16 beneficiaries on the rolls since the last

annual report.

The number (1,385) on the rolls June 30, 1901, is accounted for as follows:

Present at the Home, 826; on outdoor relief, 407; in the Government Hospital for the Insane, 27; on furlough, 57; absent sick in the general hospital at Fort Bayard, N. Mex., 58, and 10 suspended.

The daily average number of inmates present during the nine months was 870. Last year the average was 838 and the preceding year 807. The total number of deaths was 75. Last year it was 80. Of these 31 died at the Home, 20 on outdoor relief, 2 near the Home, 4 in the Government Hospital for the Insane, 17 at the general hospital at Fort Bayard, and 1 committed suicide.

During the nine months temporary relief was given to destitute discharged soldiers (volunteers and regulars) who were not entitled to admission to the extent of 8,669 meals, and 232 were provided with lodgings for a few nights each.

The following statement shows the amounts received and expended during the nine months and the amount of the permanent fund of the Home deposited in the United States Treasury:

PERMANENT FUND.

Balance in the United States Treasury September 30, 1900.
Settlement by the Treasury during the nine months.... $442, 759. 18
Amount withdrawn for current expenses.

Increase to permanent fund..........

$2,580, 808. 21

203, 000. 00

Balance in United States Treasury June 30, 1901.

239,759. 18 2, 820, 567.39

Miscellaneous receipts.

Effects of deceased inmates, subject to demand of legal heirs..

59, 040. 18 151.65 2,641.74

The foregoing statement shows that the permanent fund has increased during the nine months by $239,759.18, and that the amount expended for permanent improvements was $121,852.14. This covers the cost of the construction of the large new stables, the conservatory, additions to hospital steward's quarters, gate lodge, and band stand; macadamizing roadway from Whitney avenue to Scott statue; repairs of sewerage and gutters, and all other alterations and improvements made during the period, as shown in detail in the report of the governor of the Home.

Some of the principal items of current expenditure were as follows for the nine months:

As stated in the first part of this report, 58 inmates were under treatment for tubercular diseases at the general hospital at Fort Bayard on June 30, 1901, and the treasurer's account shows that the cost to the Home for the maintenance of inmates there was $12,560.71 for the nine months, and including clothing and transportation, $13,461.71.

The treasurer's account of funds received for the inmate pensioners shows that he had on hand September 30, 1900, $48,291.93; that he

received during the nine months $81,161.14, and paid to pensioners and legal heirs of deceased inmates $78,473.12, leaving on hand, deposited in the United States Treasury as required by law, $50,595.95.

The report of the governor of the Home shows that of the 826 resident inmates, 628 are receiving pensions, as follows: Two hundred and twenty-nine receive from $6 to $8 per month; 309 from $10 to $16; 64 from $17 to $20; 24 from $22 to $30; 1 $50, and 1 at $72 per month.

There are 201 beneficiaries of the Home who served in the war with Mexico, 169 of whom are drawing outdoor relief; 398 who served in the war of the rebellion, of whom 87 are on outdoor relief, and 220 who served since the commencement of the war with Spain, making a total of 819 members who had war (other than Indian war) service.

The attending surgeon reports that 590 patients were treated in hospital; that the daily average was 99.96, and the average age of patients admitted was 50.97; that 2,133 were treated at sick call, and the proportion of death to 100 inmates per annum was 3.75. The ages of the inmates of the Home range from 21 to 94 years. of age and over, and the average age of all the Forty-six are 75 years beneficiaries is 59 years.

The sanitary condition of the Home and grounds has been excellent throughout the period. The water supply and drainage are satisfactory, and there has been no prevalent or epidemic disease among the

inmates.

In order to provide better and much needed accommodations for the Home chaplains to conduct religious service, the board has recently authorized the construction of additions to the Home chapel at an estimated cost of $4,500.

The increase of the number of inmates now to be cared for, together with the probably greater number that will have to be provided for in the future, owing to an increased army, has made the present kitchen and bakery arrangements no longer adequate to meet the changing conditions. This, in addition to the insufficiency and unsuitableness of the present amusement rooms, located in the basement of the Sherman Building, determined the Board of Commissioners, after a thorough personal inspection, to invite preliminary plans for the construction of a new building as a mess hall, to conform in style of architecture and material to the Scott Building. The plans for the proposed building are now with the Secretary of War for his action.

The account of the farm and dairy shows that the cultivation of the farm and the establishment of the dairy have proved profitable in producing early and late vegetables and a better quality of milk than can be supplied by contract.

The act of Congress approved January 19, 1891, requiring the treasurer to keep the current funds on deposit in the United States Treasury, has been complied with, and all supplies for the Home which could be conveniently purchased by contract were so procured.

The library of the Home contains 7,592 volumes. Nine daily and 22 weekly papers and 16 monthly magazines are provided. The daily average number of books issued was 61.

The affairs of the Home have been administered by its officers in a highly commendable manner, and a visit to that institution shows the constant and unremitting care exercised to bring the buildings and grounds to their present splendid condition. What is true of the care

given the buildings and grounds is also true of the care shown the inmates, whose welfare and contentment have been looked after with great personal interest by the officers.

No changes occurred in the Board of Commissioners or the officers of the Home during the nine months.

Attention is especially invited to the report of the governor of the Home, which, with the accompanying papers (reports of the attending surgeon and treasurer of the Home), are required to be published with this report for distribution to the Army.

Very respectfully,

NELSON A. MILES, Lieutenant-General United States Army, President Board of Commissioners.

The SECRETARY OF WAR.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE SOLDIERS' HOME.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, UNITED STATES SOLDIERS' HOME,

Washington, D. C., August 8, 1901. GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to submit my report as governor of the Soldiers' Home for the period commencing October 1, 1900, and ending June 30, 1901, and to inclose herewith the reports of the attending surgeon and of the secretary and treasurer of the Home, which present in detail information as to the medical and financial administration of the institution.

Schedule of admissions to the Home.

Permanent beneficiaries, September 30, 1900

Admitted during the 9 months ending June 30, 1901.
Readmitted during the 9 months ending June 30, 1901.

1,315

254

101

1,670

205

7

7

5

2

16

5

70

317

1,353

54

130

184

66

72

5

143

41

1, 394

Remaining temporary inmates, including 4 in insane asylum

Total beneficiaries (June 30, 1901) ....

Eight hundred and twenty-six are inmates of the Home at present, 407 receive outdoor relief, 27 are in insane asylum, 57 are on furlough, 671 are absent sick at Fort Bayard, N. Mex., and 10 are suspended.

Decrease in the number of temporary inmates for the nine months, 13; increase in the number of regular inmates for the nine months, 38. The aggregate is 25 more than was shown by last report. Of the 75 deaths reported, 31 occurred in Home hospital, 20 on outdoor relief, 4 in insane asylum, 1 in Home grounds, 17 at general hospital, Fort Bayard, N. Mex., and 1 near the Home, and 1 committed suicide. Daily average number of inmates present during the nine months ending June 30, 1901, 870. Last year the average was 838, and the preceding year, 807.

'Sixty-seven is the number reported on morning report of the Home, June 30, as at Fort Bayard. But from advices received from there subsequent to that date, it appears that 9 of these men were discharged by the 30th of June, so that the number actually remaining there at that date is 58, as will appear elsewhere in this report.

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