The National tribune., 1877-11-01
Commissioner Bentley and his Proposed System of Pens
sion District Boards

Our present Commissioner OF Pensions has
earned the respect and esteem of all who have
had dealings with the office by his careful attel-
ton to duty, and his general good administration
of affairs
1t is therefore with no ill-feelng toward him
that we are compelled to differ from the propo-
sitons he has submitted and to criticise the sys-
tenn recommended by him in his Supplemental
Report of October 81, 1876
We quote the important parts of this report
The most simple and efficient and at the same time
economical plan which am able TO suggest as follows
Divide the country into districts of such size. considering
both the territory and populations that surgeon
devoting his whole time to the duties would generally be
able make all the medical examinations any district
which the pension laws might require Appoint many
hghy-qualifed surgeons there districts, with
reasonable annual salary all to be under the direction of
the Commissioner of Pensions surgeon to be assigned
each district subject be ordered from place place
within the district and to be changed about from district
to another as the emergencies OF the service might require
One competent clerk should be each district
duties and the regulations of the Commissioner of PEN
sions should from time to time require These two
should constitute commission on behalf of the Govern
to make the required medical examinations in any
and to receive the paro testimony offered in its sup
port and to that end the claimant, with his principal
witnesses. should appear before hem and submit them
selves crossexamnaon behalf of the Government.
If material witness resides in another district, hs esti
mony should be taken by the commission of that district
and forwarded to the commission having the in hand
When the claimant has furnished all the proof he desires
to furnish and submitted TO such examinations
qred the whole to be transmitted TO the office for
final settlement
| This commission may be generally charged with the
special Investigations i'm the district
In it should be found that work accommodating
in any district faster than the regular commission could
dispose of it. clerk could be detailed from the Office for
| limited period to aid in bringing it up.
This plan is simple, and its methods and detail equally
simple and direct.
If the proposed plan shall be adopted the whole force
of pension examining surgeons may be dismissed. 1t win
completely provide for the necessary special nves
cations for which considerable appropriations annually
made and will cut off not less than 33s per cent of the
force employed in the office in Washington. The cost
of the proposed change will not exceed the following
| figures viz:
Sixty surgeons at salary and expenses, say
ssty CLERKS at salary and expenses saw 81 100
each.....' ''....'' .''... i-o.~
100000
Under the proposed plan the force employed in the
office may reduced least 33s per of the whole
in addition the whole special service force in the field
Reduction in office si4l,293 50
Salary of nineteen special agents %, 500 90
Appropriation for special service for Is7e. 10000 90
| One half Of medical examinations for two
years, year including the biennial ex
sminations, fiscal years 1875 and lS76. l3s,5oS 13
$s4s,647 os
1t is seen that actual saving of s37 SAT O6 will be
made by adopting the plan recommended, say nothing
of its almost ncaeuabe advantages in the line OF secur
ing reliable medical examinations and other testimony IN
cases and their consequent prompt and satisfactory de-
termination
Very respectfully, yours,
j. A. BENTLEY.
The Hon. SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
1t will thus be seen that the proposition is to
divide the entire territory of the United States
into sixty districts, giving to each, one examining
surgeon and one clerk, the clerical force, how
ever, to be increased, if necessary.
The surgeon and clerk or clerks to constitute
board or commission on the part of the Govern
ment to make medical examinations and secure