The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-10-25
Pension.
COMMISSIONS, ---on,

So"MAss1ONER DUDLEYs REPORT.
WASHINGTON. Oct l9.-The r.port of the
commissioner or pensions for the fiscal year
enaing June 80, 1883, shows that there were
ooo,ooo pensioners on the rolls at the end Of
me hsoal year During the year the names of
10 whose pensions had been dropped pre-
vlously were restored to the roll, making
5o,9oS pensions added during the year. an
excess OF lO,645 over tho preceding year.
Inc average annual value of each pension is
$io6, and the aggregate annual value
crease of 1920. 400 the amount paid
for pensions was $3.50, O64, 200, exceeding
The annual value by several millions Ct
dollars The bulk OF this excess wa. on &C.
couht OF arrears of pensions covering the
period prior TO the allowance of claims. The
appropriation for salaries aud fees to pension
agents was exhausted, aud there is q balance
sue agents. The whole number Of claims
filed since 1861 was $50, 1877, of which ST.
1913 wsre allowed. During the same time
S62, lO7, 237 were paid out for pensions and
cos of disbursements. The percentage al
lowed OF army claims tilod has decreased from
IS per cent in 1867 to 80 4 per cent in
1850 The report next dwells upon the diff
culties experienced in disciplining the large
additional clerical force allowed by congress 10
settle arrears OF pension cases. So large an
addition to the force Of the Office consumed
time and attention Of more experienced ex-
aminers and clerks Yet, so we'll was the work
OF inslrucling new clerks pushed forward, that
they were soon efficient Not only were all
claims involving Arrears examined and proper
calls made fer evideuce but it was done 20
rapidly that like examinations aud calls for
testimony of one character or another were
made in upwards of 100000 claims flied
since the arrears. Those entitled to arrears
nave been shown to default in meeting Of
fers for the prompt settlement OF their claims
whose claims were filed during three
years sub equent to the arrears act have not
been very generally afforded even opportuni-
ties to prove their claims until the past year;
yet they have so responded that but 70 per
cent of the claimants of this class are in de-
fault upon calls made upon them fer evidence,
while those of the other class entitled 10 ar
rears are in default, for some cause in 50 per
cent OF the number pending. This staement is
made in explanation Of the fact that that so
filed subsequently to the arrears period, while
30 large number fled at IN earlier period re-
maiued unsettled when they were presumably
entitled to precedence.
CAUSES OF DELAY.
An examination shove 2U4. 299 cases were
delayed by claimants, 9,935 by the adiutaut
erals office, and %, 523 by The pension office;
but large percen age of the cases delayed in
the pension Office are in the hands OF special
examiners or boards of review. large part
of the report is devoted to renewal OF recon-
mendations made last year touching the amend
mont Of the pension laws. The commissioner
says:
The law recently enacted making it misde-
meanor both the part of the pledger and PLEDGE
to hypothecate pension certificate for debt, is al
ready bearing fruit by putting stop to this prac-
tice in large cities and lessening the demand for
the duplicate certificates and permits. Another
year Of aggressive enforcement of that law will ef
for ffIol1 v nYH fho poIn od nf ffpnft
is called to the fidelity and ability with which the
unprecedented disbursements of the bureau have
been made by agests fos the payment OF PENSIONS
from each Of the eighteen agencies at an annual
expense of $l6,OOS and without the loss of dol
lar to the government or complaint of delay from
beneficiaries.
OF the special examination system The COM
missioner speaks in cOmmendatorv terms, and
says he will b. disappointed If the saving to
the government effected by this division will
not be sufficient to defray the costs of its main
tenance. He does not think it incumbent upon
the government to be at any further expense
in endeavoring to settle Indian pension claims
when the result of the special commission sent
out to the Indian Territory are considered The
resolution of the senate calling for list of all
whole clerical force of several pension agencies
in its preparation, and The report was
handed in just before the adjourn
ment of congress, but remained I'M
touched at the government printing Office.
until recent date. When complete the report
will consist of seven octave volumes about $50
pages each, closely printed matter, and it is
urged that congress provide for the widest pos
eible circulation of the report. The secretary
10 asked to recommend that the salaries of the
chief review board of special examination divi-
sion, eastern, middle, western, southern and
old war and navy divisions be each advanced
70 So, 500, and those Of their assistants to
So, 600 each, and that of the chiefs of other
divisions to 81. $50 per annum. Of the cler-
zeal force the commissioner says if claimants
will do their part by responding to the calls for
evidence, prese mt force can easily settle cash
enough to expend, during the incoming fiscal
priation He expresses belief that all claims
now outstanding will be disposed of by July /,
1884, and trusts evidence may be forthcom ng
t. enable the Office to accomplish this much
to-be- desired end, so that the sshgh-wa'er
mark' in annual expenditure for pensions may
be speedily known. The report concludes with
graceful complimentary reference to the
effective labors of suborl inates.