National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-06-21
INTERESTING TO PENSIONERS.
Letter OF Comp,IsaIoncr dudley ReIatIv
20 n Proposed Increase.

20 n PrOposed Increase.
Commissioner Of Pensions Dudley has addressed
q letter to Chairman Plat, Of the Pensions Com
mittee Of the Senate, in which he says; "Ac-
knowedging the receipt Of your letter of the 18Th
inst, inviting my attention to House bill No.
1ll0 providing for increase Of pension in certain
cases. and asking for my views as to the effect the
same will have on the speedy adjudication OF
claims now pending IL the bill referred TO should
become law, aud in reply have the honor 70
state that the same provides for an increase OF
pension to all who have lost one hand or one foot,
or who suffer disability equivalent thereto. The
rate now allowed for an nmpulation of
ONE ARM, OR ONE LEO,
below the elbow or knee is SIS per month, and
where the amputntion is at or above the elbow or
knee rate of S24 per month. The rate OF SIS per
equivalent to the loss of hand or foot There
is another class who receive pension OF S2l n
month, to wit:
TOTAL DISABILITY,
which disquollfes for the performance OF any
kind Of manual labor, but not 80 great as TO re-
quire the aid aud attendance Of another person.
Another class who receive n pension of s3l.2) per
month on account of II disability which produces
tendance Of another person, but not permanent in
that degree. Another class, comparatively small,
who have lost
ONE HAND AND ONE FOOT,
or been totally disabled in same, whoare receiving
q pension Of $50 q month. The data in my posses.
sion enables me to give you very close and in:
submit herewith for your information: Number
who have lost one arm, Obj number who nave
lost one leg, i,722i number who have lost one arm
and one leg, 20. AS the two first first mentioned
receive pension OF SIS and S2i per month, owing
to point of amputntion, and the mean increase in
rate of the 1853 would be $40 per month, or an IN
creased annual value Of 81, iH.
THE TWENTY PENSIONERS
who have lost one hand and one foot would be
increased only 81 per month, or annual value OF
$500, making the increased annual value Of the
roll for amputations s2,2H,iH
EQUIVALENT DISABILITIES.
The 500 pensioners now receiving S3l % and s96
per month would involve net increase in annual
value to the roll of $4,000 the 1000 pensioners
who are In receipt Of S2i like increase OF 81 ,3H,
Co., aud the g. liO who receiving SIS per month
n like increase In value OF S2,l4S,y6O Total in
crease in annual value Of roll for equivalent dis
abilities would be s3,5i2 900. The clerical labor
involved In the settlement of these cases would be
about 600 days work (.Or one mani, and Is based
on the labor necessary 10 settle the claims
OF those only who may be entitled. But
the experience of the Office warrants me
| IN saying that more than double the number OF
days labor will be involved in determining the
right of the thousands who are not entitled who
VIII apply under the provisions of this bill IL 1t
should become Il law. l deem II proper To add u
| recommendation IN the event this bill should re-
ceive the approval of Congress, and that is that in
the adjudication of these cases 1t should be with
in behalf OF those persons who have never received
n PENSION and the expression of this view by Con-
| gress would save the office much labor and en-
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