Questions Continue to Arise Over Old Soldiers' Home, September 1920

 From the front page of the Hickory Daily Record, September 1, 1920

Soldiers' Home Row Is On Again

By Max Abernethy

Raleigh, Sept. 1--Holding a session behind closed doors yesterday afternoon the six members of the board of directors of the old soldiers' home, according to authoritative information, split equally on the question of changing the administrative head of the institution and adjourned after an hour's discussion without transacting any business.

As the result of, and in spite of the executive session, which is something out of the ordinary in the transaction of business in which the entire state is entitled to know about, Col. Dave Milton, superintendent of the home, remains in charge of the institution. The newspaper boys were present and requested admittance but the doors were closed in their faces.

General Jule Carr, a member of the board, called the meeting for the purpose of considering the feasibility of replacing Supt. Milton, but was unable to muster but two other members on his side. Col. Dean Wood, another member and the best friend the old soldiers have on the board, is understood to have fought manfully for retaining the present superintendent. General Carr came in Raleigh with the name of a man he thought would make a much better superintendent that Colonel Milton but fell short of a majority vote by one.

Col. Milton was the center of attack at an airing the Home was given lastg fall when the women's organizations, including the Daughters of the Confederacy, sought to renovate the entire institution. There were charges by the dozens at that time but none of them were substantiated. After the row last fall the directors, seeing that hte women were interested in the veterans and had more time to give to it that anybody felt, decided to elect them as members. Miss Martha Haywood of Raleigh was named when A.H. Boyden of Salisbury resigned.

Yesterday the women members, Miss Haywood and Mrs. Little lined up with General Carr for a change but Col. Wood stood firm and saved Supt. Milton from banishment.

There has been considerable agitation for the past year or more as to the need of improvements at the home. Hardly a week passes that does not bring to some member of the board an anonymous letter purporting to give the details of the "horrible" manner in which the soldiers are treated. Col. Wood has doubtless received more of these letters than any other member. He always investigates the charges but finds nothing whatever to justify them. The home is in need of improvements but if conditions were made so as to satisfy everybody the state would be bankrupt in 30 days.

Col. Milton tendered his resignation several months ago but it was never accepted and he was persuaded to continue in charge at the instance of Colonel Wood.

J.J. Blair Joins State Board of Education

The appointment yesterday of John J. Blair of Wilmington by the state board of education as supervisor for the erection of all new public school buildings is in line with the law passed by the last session of the general assembly which requires that a full time supervisor to aid towns, cities and counties in providing plans for modern buildings. This aid is furnished without cost to districts. The purpose of the new position in addition to providing better types of school buildings is to give aid and counsel in selecting sites, in beautifying grounds and in making the school become more attractive.

Mr. Blair has been superintendent of schools for the city of Wilmington for 22 years. He is an artist and has given valuable information through his instruction at the summer schools in school house decoration. The work of rebuilding the schools at Wilmington was conducted under his direction and attracted wide attention.

Revenue to State Treasure Increased

The annual report of State Insurance Commissioner James R. Young for the year ending April 1, 1920, has just been issued in booklet form. It shows that for the 12-month period there was collected and turned into the state treasury $634,076.84. This is a increase over the previous fiscal year of more than $90,000.