River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-10-25
PENsIoNe.

COMMISSIONER DUDLEYS REPORT
WASHINGTON, Oct 19.--The report of the
commissioner of pensions for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1888, shows that there were
303, 65S pensioners on the rolls at the end of
the fiscal year. During the year the names Of
76 whose pensions had been dropped pre-
yiousy were restored TO the roll, making
IS, 95s pensions added during the year an
excess Of 10,645 over the preceding year
The average annual value of each pension is
Sl06 aud the aggregate annual value
Of all pensions was 49,, 245, 1872, an in
crease of 1890, 400 The amount paid
for pensions was $50 064 U09, exceeding
the annual value by several millions Ct
dollars. The bulk OF this excess was on ac-
count of arrears OF pensions covering the
period prior 70 the allowance of claims. The
appropriation for salaries and fees 70 pension
agents was exhausted and there il balance
due agents The whole number Of claims
! hled since 1861 was $50, 1877, OF which OIL,
93S were allowed During the same time
So, l07, 237 were paid ont for pensions and
COS of disbursements. The percentage al
lowed of army claims filed has decreased from
76 per cent in 1867 to 80 Der cent in
1880 The report next dwells upon the diff
eulties experienced in disciphnlng 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
| amlners and clerks. Yet, so we'll was the work
| Of instructing new clerks pushed forward, that
| they were soon efficient Not only were all
| CLAIMS involving Arrears examined and proper
cans made for evidence, but 1t was done 30
rapidly that like examinations and calls for
| testimony of one character or another were
| made in upwards of 100, 600 claims filed
| since the arrears. Those entitled to arrears
nave been shown to default IN meeting Of
/ fers for the prompt settlement OF their claims
| by furnishing testimony required, while those
| whose claims were filed curing three
years subsequent to the arrears act have not
| been very generally afforded even opportuni-
| ties to prove their claims until the past year;
| vet they have so responded that but 40 per
cent of the claimants OF this class arc III de-
| fault upon calls made upon tuem Ter evidence,
while those of the other class entitled %
| rears are in default, for some cause. in So per
| cent of the number pending. This staement is
made in explanation of the fact that that so
| many claims have been allowed which were
| filed subsequently to the arrears period, while
1 30 large number filed at an earlier period re-
NAMED unsettled when they were presumably
| entitled to precedence.
CAUSES OF DELAY
| An examination showed 2O4. 209 cases were
| delayed by claimants 9, $50 by the adiutaut
| generals Office, 1902 by the surgeon gen
| erals Office, and % 5Z3 by the pension office;
but large percentage of the cases delayed in
| the pension office are in the hands OF special
| examiners or boards Of review. A large part
| of the report is devoted to renewal or recon-
meudauons made last year touching the amend
| ment of the pension laws. The commissioner
says:
| The law recently enacted making it a INSIDE
meanor both the part Of the pledger and Pledge
to hyDothecate pension certificate for debt Is al
ready bearing fruit By putting stop to this prac-
| ce in large cities and lessening the demand tor
| the duplicate certificates and permits. Another
year OF aggressive enforcement OF that law VIII e.
| tectuay end the evils complained Of Attention
is called to the fidelity and ability with which the
| unprecedented disbursements of the bureau have
/ been made by agents for the payment of PENSIONS
| an average of So, 1871 having been disbursed
| from each of the eighteen agencies at an annual
| expense of Sl6,O0s, and without the loss Of dol
| lar to the government or complaint of delay from
| Of the special examination system the com
| missioner speaks i'll commentators terms, and
| says lie will be disappointed If the saving to
| the government effected by this division will
not be sufficient 10 defiay the costs of its main
| tenance He does notth:nk it incumbent upon
| the government to be at any further expense
| in endeayorng TO settle Indian pension claims
| when the result of the special commission sent
| out to the Indian Territory considered. The
resolution of the senate calling for list of all
| pensioners necessitated the employment of the
whole clerical force of several pension agencies
| in its preparation, and The report was
| handed IN Just before the ADJOURN
mBnt of congress, but remained IN
touched at the government printing office
| until recent date. When complete the report
Will consist Of seven octave volumes about 800
pages each, closely printed matter, and it is
| urged that congress provide for the widest pos
| -ible circulation of the report The secretary
| s 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
| 10 -, 900, and those of their assistants to
| So, 900 EACH and that Of the chiefs of other
| divisions to s., go per annum. OF the cler-
| cal force the commissioner says if claimants
will do their part by responding to the calls for
| evidence, present force can easily settle cash
| enough to expend, during the incoming fiscal
| year. the full amount of the available appro-
priation. He expresses belief that all claims
| now outstanding viii be disposed OF by Jnly l.,
| 1884, and trusts evidence may be forthcom ng
| to enable the office to accomplish This much
| to-be- desired end, that the 'high wa er
| mark III annual expenditure for pensions may
| be speedily known The report concludes with
o graceful complimentary reference to the
| effective labors of suborlinates.