Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-18
THE COUNTRY,S PENSIONERS.
Annual Report of COmmissioner
Dudley.

THE NUMEER OF PENSIONERS NOW ON THE ROLLS
AND THE AMOUNT PAID OFT.
Col ". W. Dudley. the commissioner OF pensions
In his annual report to the Secretary of the interior
to-day, states that at the close OF the year ending
June 30 80 there were 303 65S pensioners classified as
follows: 1858 army lnvalids, "a ,373 army widows
minor children and dependent relatives, 2,46s navy
invalids eO7 navy widows, &C., 4s31 survivors OF
in that war. During the year there was added to
to as ] pensonsss ana M
to the numbeF Of pensioners OF ssi The asast aggre
gate annual value OF all pensions Is sss s
$50 O0s q paid for pensions during the year. the
larger proportion was used in paying the arrears
thus swelling the payments much beyond the an
manning incomplete in the office. the report states
that In 20 9 cases. the delay is OccaSiOned by the
claimants in failing to furnish the proper evt-
dence.
DEFECTS IN THE PRESENT LAWS.
The commissioner renews his recommendation OF
last year In relation to legislation for remedying
defects In the present laws. He recommends that
section 1888 OF the Revised Statutes be amended so
as to include scouts, and suggests that the grading
OF pensions be remOdeed the basis OF disability
rather than rank. These changes in the laws, the
commissioner thinks, could be best effected by a
commission. The report urges an amendment to
the laws which Will not make it necessary for a
mother to show that son contributed to her sup
1t is also suggested that the clause which places
old war claims within the three-year limitation be
amended SO that these cases shall have their date OF
commencement at the time of filing the applica-
tion, rather than at that of the filing OF the last
piece or evidence The commissioner recommends
the removal OF the disabilities OF naval ex-confed
crates
THE CLERICAL FORCE OF THE BUREAU.
In regard TO the accommodations Of the clerical
force OF the bureau, the report states that the office
mas 1,57 employees. and these, except 24O special
examiners in the field are located In this city, as
IOllOWS IN the building corner 18th street and the
avenue, 63S; in the houses annexed on 18th street
73; In the house 500 18th street. 2S in the building
corner OF 18th street and the avenue and its annex
5S. Ihe nOOr space allowed to each person is 2G
square feet. He recommends an appropriation OF
ings.
PENSIONERS OF THE FUTURE.
In regard to the pension business in the future
the commissioner finds that these 962.6O1 living
soldiers and sailors who have not applied for pen
sion, and 72,340 pensonable relatives while all OF
the former may not apply for pension, he thinks
that all of the latter probably viii.
INCREASE OF SALARIES RECOMMENDED.
The report suggests that the salary of the chief OF
the ev1ew board the Chief OF the special examna-
ton division, the chief Of the eastern, middle
southern, western and Old war and navy divisions
be each advanced to $780, and that OF their aSsis
to S2,2oO.
PROGRESS OF THE WORK.
The commissioner states that On July Is, 1885, the
Office was practically up with current work. That
Is to say every case involving arrears filed prior to
July 1st, 1880, and with few exceptions all filed sub
sequent to July 1st $780, and not involving arrears
had been been e examined Those ready for settlement
evidence were attended to, and it was found that
nothing further could be done in 235 600 claims out
| of total OF 24,OOO pending. He thinks that the
The amount required for the payment Of pensioners
during the next two years viii depend upon their
diligence In furnishing evidence. OF the 14e, ,0O(
claims the report estimates that sixty per cent Will
| eventually be allowed.