The National tribune., 1882-12-28
COST OF THE ARREARS ACT.


Third. The persons who were entitled 70 the
benefits of the arrears of pension acts of Janu-
uary % and March 3, 1879 may be divided into
two classes, the first embracing those who were
granted pensions prior to the date of the first
named act, and the commencement of whose
pensions was governed by the limitation of the
statutes then in force, and the second class,
who had at the same date an application for
pension pending, or who did, prior to July l.
1850, apply for pension.
The amount paid for arrears to the first class
is 224,726, 1880, and to the second class,
S73 I63, 35l As: being a total disbursement for
arrears from January %, 1879, to December l,
1882, of S97, ,S9l ,506.95.
Fourth. To state the probable amount which
may in the future be paid for arrears of pen
sion under the provisions of existip ps'Iws, is so
problematical that it is with hesitation | make
even an estimate. But in doing so | wish to
append the information afforded by the records
of the office, upon which | base an opinion.
OF the late war invalid-pensiOn claims filed
prior to July l. 1876, Il per cent. have already
been allowed, and as % per cent of the cases
of this class admitted during the fiscal year
Just closed were filed during the period stated,
it is fair to presume that the percentage of ad-
missions will be still further increased. On
this basis, especially for the reason that large
percentage OF the widows class have received
favorable action, it would seem safe to assume
that 80 per cent. of the late war invalid claims
filed prior to July l, $780, will receive favor
able action.
There are now on the files 253,64S pending
and rejected late war claims which were filed
prior to July l. 1880, and allowing 20 per cent.
for rejection there would be POP, ,9l9 for admis-
sion and entitled to the benefits of tho arrears
acts.
If these should be placed on the pension roll
simultaneously, the amount of arrears on the
present value of each case allowed would be, in
the aggregate in round numbers, $204,7 795,000.
On the same proposition, it would increase
the present roll of pensioners from 291,656 to
494575, and the annual value of the whole roll
from $30,013,O00 to Tin round numbers)
$5O000,000.
PROPOSED INCREASE OF PENSIONS.
Fifth. The class of persons to be benefited
by House bill no. now before the Senate, are
those who have lost one hand, one arm, one
foot or one leg; also those who are now receiv-
ing penson for disability equivalent to any
of those first named. The law now in force
provides pension to the several classes enume-
rated as follows:
The loss of one hand or one foot, at the rate
of SIC per month.
The amputation of an arm or a leg at or
above the elbow or knee, at the rate of S24 per
month.
For disability which is equivalent to the
loss of a hand or a foot the rate of $l8 per
month.
Total inability to perform any manual labor,
at the rate of S24 per month
Total disability which requires the aid and
attendance of another person, when the disa
bility is not permanent in this degree, at the
rate of $3l % per month.
Loss of one hand and one foot, or totally dis
abcd i'll the same, at the rate of $50 per month.
Amputation at the hip,joint, at the rate of
$3.50 per month.
From an analysis of the pension roll of the
ten accurately reported tout of eighteen) agen-
ces it is shown that 5.22 per cent. of the invalid
pensioners borne thereon are in receipt of a
pension for amputati0ns described in the pend
ing bill; also the number who arc receiving such
pension for the loss of hand or an arm or a
foot or leg.
Applying this ratio to the whole number of
invalid pensioners on the roll, it would show
as follows:
For loss of hand arm 1872
For loss of foot or 4,4o9
a