Garden account of United States Soldiers' Home, from October 1, 1893, to September 30, 1894, consolidated.

NOTE. This department has the care of the ornamentation of the grounds, lawns, flowers, shrubs, trees, and fruit.

Annual report of members of the United States Soldiers' Home receiving outdoor relief September 30, 1894; rates of relief, pensions, etc.

Eleven members of the Home on outdoor relief have died since date of last report; twenty-five members were dropped from outdoor relief after June 30, 1894, in compliance with resolutions of the Board of Commissioners, June 19, 1891, and July 21, 1894.

RICH. C. PARKER,

Bvt. Maj., U. S. Army, Secretary and Treasurer.

Mexican war survivors

93

230

323

132

44

6

REPORT OF THE INSPECTION OF THE SOLDIERS' HOME,

WAR DEPARTMENT,
INSPECTOR-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, D. C., March 25, 1895.

SIR: I have the honor to submit a report of the inspection of the Soldiers' Home, begun March 8, 1895, with the assistance, as heretofore, of Major Sanger in all matters relating to the men, and Mr. Kent, the accountant of the Department, in the financial affairs.

Attention is invited to the accompanying exhibits for details as to sundry matters which have usually accompanied these reports of annual inspection.

The steady improvement which has characterized the conduct and condition of affairs of this Home from year to year during all the time that I have been inspecting it is exemplified again this year and deserves the heartiest commendation. In both economy and excellence the progress is decided, and though the officers most directly responsible may in some one particular or another, especially where the question of money is concerned, have preferred more rapid progress, they surely should be content that there is no deterioration anywhere and that wherever there has been a change it has been beneficial.

The inspection of the buildings began at the hospital, which has become a model of neatness as well as of perfect professional management. Here, as in one or two other places of the Home, there were indications of leaks and stained or fallen plaster, which may indicate merely the severity of the past winter or the recent change in the water supply, or some fault of original construction, but in no case did it indicate carelessness on the part of those in immediate charge. In making the necessary repairs, it is submitted that metal ceilings have special merits for cases like this.

The deputy governor, Capt. D. A. Irwin, is in charge of the barracks and discipline and is acting governor in General Stanley's temporary absence abroad. Comparing the condition of the barracks and mess hall with that reported a year ago, it may be said that, except for much needed repairs, it is excellent in all respects. The disappearance of insects, the disuse of kerosene oil on the floors, the addition of locker stands, barrack shoes, and mattress covers, and the scrupulous cleanliness of the dormitories, mess hall, and kitchen have contributed much to the comfort of the inmates of the Home, and added largely to its reputation as a model military institution. Everything that can be done without money has been done. New floors, painting and calcimining are needed throughout the Anderson and King buildings, and to some extent in Sherman and Scott halls and the annex, and it is understood that an allotment of funds for the purpose was made by the Commissioners some time ago, but up to date it has not been expended.

The smoking room under the central section of the dining room is dingy to a degree, having hardly an outside window, and is not infre quently overcrowded, though a large space in the annex is practically unoccupied where the old dining room was. There seemed also to be, space elsewhere for fifty or a hundred more beds in the dormitories, which is in marked contrast to the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers where some regulars are found housed in good comradeship and kindliness. The bakehouse should be painted and an iron rack for the bread pans should be substituted for the wooden dresser in which they are now kept as a sure means of exterminating the roaches which infest it. They are not to be found in any other buildings of the Home, but unless prompt measures are adopted, they will no doubt soon invade the kitchen and mess hall, when their extinction will be difficult.

As quite a propagating plant is maintained for the grounds, possibly some ornamental development of the conservatories like those at Dayton or other volunteer Homes might prove a desirable addition.

No change in the system of messing reported one year ago has been made, and the rations and supplies of all kinds are reported excellent. All issues of clothing have been witnessed by the deputy governor of the Home, and no losses from any cause have occurred.

The heating plant and shops were in good order, and though the general water-closet needs whitewashing, the great improvement in its construction and present condition over the discreditable state a few years ago is very marked.

There were two prisoners in confinement for introducing liquor and insubordinate conduct.

No complaints were received.

From what was seen at the pay table and elsewhere, it is submitted that the organization into companies and squads and the two roll calls daily, authorized in article 10 of the General Regulations of the Home, approved by the Secretary of War April 17, 1883, seem to be missed and would have a certain merit as they always have in such large bodies of men, especially those who have been trained to the military life. Otherwise article 10 needs modification.

ESTABLISHMENT.

This Home was established by the act of March 3, 1851, as a home for invalid and disabled soldiers, whether regulars or volunteers, of the war of 1812 and of all subsequent wars, and for every soldier of the Army of the United States who has served, or may serve, honestly and faithfully, twenty years in the same.

The original Board of Commissioners consisted of the General in Chief Commanding the Army, the generals commanding the Eastern and Western geographical military divisions, the Quartermaster-General, the Commissary-General of Subsistence, the Paymaster-General, the Surgeon-General, and the Adjutant-General of the Army. The act of March 3, 1859, provided that hereafter the Commissary-General of Subsistence, the Surgeon-General, and the Adjutant-General of the Army shall constitute the Board. The Board was enlarged by the act of March 3, 1883, to include the Commanding General of the Army, the. Quartermaster-General, the Judge-Advocate-General, and the governor of the Home, with power to establish regulations for the general and internal direction of the institution, to be submitted to the Secretary of War for approval.

The executive officers of the Home named by the act of 1851 are a governor, a deputy governor, and a secretary, who shall also be treas urer. These officers shall be taken from the Army and appointed or removed, as the interests of the institution may require, by the Secretary of War, on the recommendation of the Board of Commissioners.

SUPPORT.

For the support of this Home it was provided that the sum of 123 cents per month shall be deducted from the pay of every non commissioned officer, musician, artificer, and private of the Army, but such deduction shall be made from the pay of volunteers only with their consent, and also the further sums consisting of the stoppages and courtmartial fines against soldiers over and above any amount due the Government or individuals; all forfeitures on account of desertion, and all money belonging to the estates of deceased soldiers unclaimed for three years.

The first sum received for the purpose of carrying into effect this act was $118,791.19, levied by General Scott, commanding general of the army in Mexico during the war with that Republic, and was turned over to the Commissioners July 5, 1851. The first member admitted to the Washington Home was Martin Fullman, Third Artillery, July 25, 1851.

GROUNDS.

The Home is located on the high ground directly north of this city distant about 4 miles from its center. It is admirably located and commands a very extensive view of the city of Washington, the distant Potomac and the historic hills of Maryland and Virginia. The grounds now consist of 502 acres, beautifully laid out in walks and drives, interspersed with lawn and woodland so attractive that it has become the favorite park for driving to the residents of the city. The amount expended for the purchase of these grounds was $326,354.55. The latest purchase was in 1876, when the Woods farm, consisting of 38 acres, was bought for $30,000. Of the 502 acres in the domain, 200 are set apart for hay grounds and 28 are under cultivation as the farm. The cost of the various permanent improvements from organization to include 1890 is reported as $1,031,044.35. Since that date to the present there has been expended for like purposes $33,254, making a total expenditure: For grounds, $326,354.55; for buildings and permanent improvements, $1,064,298.35; total, $1,390,652.90.

BUILDINGS.

There are five barrack buildings, known as the Sherman and the Scott buildings, built of white marble or stone, and the Sheridan, the King, and the Anderson buildings of brick or stucco. The hospital, a large brick structure, occupies a prominent knoll to the south of the main building, and between these two buildings is a handsome stone chapel. The officers' quarters, two single, of white marble, and one double set, of brick, are pleasantly located on the road leading to the west gate. Immediately west of the Scott Building is the office of the governor and treasurer, a small brick building of four rooms. The library, a handsome brick building, is in the rear of the Scott Building, near which stands the water tower, of white marble, recently constructed, when connection was made with the city water system.

Other buildings on the grounds are a brick pump house, a steam-boiler house, six brick gatehouses, three frame cottages, a farm house with outbuildings, a brick stable, a deadhouse, a plain conservatory or propagating houses, and a root house. The storerooms, located in cellars and basement rooms of the barrack buildings, are of sufficient capacity and in good condition. The main buildings are lighted by gas and warmed by steam and hot air. Electric lighting would appear as needful here as at the volunteer Homes. The ventilation seemed to be good. In the dormitories the highest floor space per man is 506 square feet, the lowest 60 feet, and the average about 91 feet; and the air space per man was, highest 1,987.62 cubic feet; lowest 1,197.3 feet, with an average of 1,204 feet. This is in marked contrast with the crowded condition found in the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, where the average floor space ranged from 47 to 63.5 square feet and the air space from 530 to 781 cubic feet. There were 53 vacant beds reported in the barracks. These larger Homes, where the members are numbered by the thousand, may usually be run for rather less per capita; but even the smallest volunteer Home presents an object lesson in economy.

MEMBERS.

The average number present during the month of February, 1895, was as follows: In barracks, 588; gatehouses, 10; farmhouse, 2; sleeping outside, 16; hospital, 107; total, 723. The average number present during the year ending September 30, 1894, was 733.75, while during the preceding year it was 751, and in 1892 it was 745. The highest number present was 782, on February 19, 1894, and the minimum was reached September 26, 1894, when only 658 were present; and there was an average of 380 members absent during the year, or 34 per cent of the membership, while at the national Homes only 19 per cent were absent. The average age of the members present September 30, 1894, was 54.4 years, and of those admitted since, 51 years. These averages are about three years younger than those prevailing at the national Homes.

DISCIPLINE.

Of the 1,850 persons cared for, less 293 transients, only 288, or 18 per cent, were tried for offenses against the rules, and of these 167 were tried but once, 74 twice, and 47 more than twice, and 82 per cent were not tried. This last average is a little less than that at the other Homes. The principal offenses seem to be due to the liquor habit. The punishment laid upon the offenders in aggravated cases is dismissal and in others suspension from the Home or labor on the grounds or roads. The guard-house, with a capacity for 10, was in good condition. Passes are given to the men when not undergoing punishment.

AMUSEMENTS.

The amusement room, provided with billiard and pool tables, and tables for cards, dominoes, chess, and games of like character, is in the basement of the main building, but it is poorly lighted and not well ventilated. Occasional dramatic entertainments are provided for from a small fund placed at the disposal of the governor. It is understood that the subject of building a suitable hall for this purpose is under consideration. The lack of an adequate and properly constructed amusement room is in decided contrast to both the volunteer Homes