The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-11-22

Mr.. Bentley, the Commissioner OF PEN
ions, has completed his report for the year
nding June ID, 1878.
The number OF new claims Of all classes
led during the year was $500. OF these
s,sl2 were original invalid claims, being
aore than double the number Of the same
lass filed In either Of the four years from
81 70 1874. As many a 1920 were for
ervice In the war Of 1912. One In six only
ere the claims OF survivors, the balance
eng those Of widows. Claims 10 the num-
er Of Al, sCi were settled al an average cost
pr salaries Of SOL per case. The average
OF in 1871 was 81 81. and IN 1876, Sill.
The saving through the increased efiieien-
OF the Office. including the reduction in
be salary appropriation, OF $3.50 In 1877
YER 1876, was S1s3, $50, and In 1878 over 1876,
cluding the reduction OF the salary fund OF
!, 80. was S340.i12 The number Of cases
tiled in 1877 was y IA per cent. greater
an IN 1876, and in 1878 50 per cent. greater
an In 1915.
Al the beginning OF the year the number
pension agencies was reduced from IS TO
saving In salaries for the year $4,000.
aking an aggregate saving in the bureau
rthe year OF Sfs2,172. Since the CONSOLE
alton the pensions have been paid more
omptly than before. The pay service has
yaneed 70 high degree OF efficiency.
be Commissioner l. Of the opinion that the
duction In the rate Of Inc agents. compen-
ton madein the Appropriation bill for the
trent year can not be maintained without
jury 70 the service, and some further al
vance should be made for their expenses.
ON the 5Oth Of June, 1868 there were 223.-
pensioners on the rolls, reduction or
~ during the year. IL Il expected that
numberwill increase considerably dur
stne current year on account OF the 1872
nsicns.
The amount paid for pensions during the
ar was >26,53D, s92.lo. OF this amount.
io,Wl.5t Was retained from the pensioners
paid TO claim agents for their fees.
The special investigation OF fraud under
ct'on 4,lH Revised Statutes. cost SIS
80, and resulted in saving OF S4o2, on. Is,
sides the discovery that many claim agents
other persons were guilty 81 violations
me PENSION law. A considerable ntlms
or these persons have been convicted
punished by the courts, and many
nfrs ~ suspension or permanent prohibit
2 from practice in the Department OF the
terror.
considerable space Is devoted III the re-
y 70 the claim-agency system. and "a an
planation OF the act Of Congress OF June
81, reducing the claim-agent'- fee from
" elO, and changing the plan Of collec-
20 A. % have agents collect their own
instead Of having them collected by the
sernmept through the pension agencies. 4
e Commission approves OF the act. and Il
opinion that IL will greatly benefit both
nest claimants and the Government.
ne Commissioner reviews HIS recom-
huation OF last year and the year before
~ entire change in the system OF settling
ms ~ dividing the country into dis
~, and sending into each district sur
y and q skilled clerk 10 examine the \
lmants, and to collect the testimony In \
port Of the claims. He also renews sew
other minor recommendation OF his
report, and makes the new recommen-
ion that the biennial examinations be dis
lsed with. lie thinks they are no longer