The Mineral argus., 1884-03-27
PENSIONS.
COMMISSIONERS DUDLEx's ngpoRr

0SO1L4 . AAEOh1a
WASHINGTON, Oct 19.-The report Of the
commissioner of pensions for the fiscal wear
ending June 80, 1888, shows that re were
303, 65S pensioners on the rolls at the end ~
the fiscal year. During the year the names Of
20 whose pensions had been dropped pre-
viously were restored to the roll maxine
S,95S pensions added during tho wear ap
excess of 10, $40 over the precedinp veor
The average annual value Of each pension 10
$l06, and the aggregate annual valne
Of all pensions was Y32, 245,1 1872. an in
crease of $500, 400 The amount ma
for pensions was $50, 0G4, O09, exc elmo
The annual value by several millions e
dollars. The bulk of this excess was on az
count Of arrears of pensions COVERING ~
period prior TO the allowance Of claims. Tho
appropriation for salaries and fees TO pepsIor
agents was exhausted, and there is a bal
due agents. The whole number Of -
flied since 1861 was $50, 1877, OF which 81
g3S were Above During the SAM -
So, l07, 237 were paid out for pensio, ~
cos 5 of disbursements. The pGrcsutag. ~
lowed OF army claims filed has decreased ~
1G Z per cent IN 1867 to 80 / per cent in
1880. The report next dwells upon the dl0i-
culties experienced in discipliniag the LARGO
additional clerical force allowed by congress 10
settle arrears Of pension cases. So large an
addition TO The force of the Office cons lmed
time and attention OF more experienced ex-
aminers and clerks. Yet. 80 we'll was the work
Of lnstructins new clerks pushed forward, that
they were soon efficient. Not only were all
claims involving Arrears CxamInod and proper
calls made fer evidence, but 10 was duue so
rapidly that like examinations aud calls for
testimony of one character or another were
made in upwards of 100, 900 claims filed
since the arreara. Those entitled to arrears
have been shown to default in meeting Of
fers for The prompt settlement OF Their claims
by furnishing testimony required, while those
whose claims wcr5 flied during three
ta ia Lrrh .H Bl--
very generally afforded even opportuni-
to prove their claims until the past wear;
yet they have so responded that hut 10 per
cent OF the alman OF this class are IT, de-
fault upon calls made upon them fer evidence.
Wmle those OF the other class entitled 20 ar
ears are 10 default, toT suu3 cause. ia 50 per
cent of the number pending. This sta meut is
made in explanation of thu facs that that so
many claims have been allowed which we're
tiled subsequently to the arrears period while
so large a number filed al am ear.ior period re-
maiued unsettled whom they were presumably
to precedence.
CAUSES or DELAY.
An examination showed 2O4.200 cases were
delayed by claimants, 9,935 by the adiutaut
Office, 2,9U2 by the surgeon gen
sials Office, and 23, 5Z3 by tho pension Office:
Jut a large percen age OF The cases DELAYED in
he pension Office are in tho hands OF special
HAMMERS or boards OF review. 4 large part
IF the report is devoted to a renewal OF rceam-
tN1h NA .-a1AhAH A4k 1AllALO-
.ent Of the pension laws. The commissioner
says:
The law recently enacted making it a INSIDE
neauO- both on the part Of the pfatrer and Mecca
o hypothecate a pension certificate for dsbf /. ~
bearing fruit by putting a stop to this urac-
ice IN large cities aud lesseuiug ife demaud tor
he duplicate certificates and permits. Another
ear OI aggressive enforcement of that law viii e.
ectually END the evils complained of Attention
called to the fidelity and ability with which the
hpreceqented disbursements OK the bureau have
made by agents for the payment of pensions,
n average of p3,3JI33l having been discussed
each Of the eighteen agencies az an animal
xpense Of SI6,OOs and Without the loss of a dol
enefc,aries.
Of the special examination system he com.
speaks in commenjatorv terms. aud
he VIII be ds4puOintsd ii he saving to
le government effected by this division Wil
OF be sufficient 10 defray the costs Of its main
3nance. he does uOttb:nk it incumbent upon
ne government to be at any further expense
a endeavoring TO settle Indian pension claims
hen the result Of the special commission sent
at to the Indian Territory are considered The
esolutloh Of the senate calling for a list Of all
nccessltlteu the tmpioyment of the
hole clerical force Of several pension agencies
us preparation, and lie report was
anded IN just bc.UTe tho adjourn
of congress, but remained I'M
'uched at ihs government printing office.
ntil a recent date. When complete the report
Ill consist of seven octave volumes about 300
ages each, closely pTinict matter, and il is
rged that congress provide for the widest pos
bic circulation of the report The secretary
asked to recommend that the salaries of the
review board of spscial examination d!vi-
eastern, middle, western, southern and
ID war and navy divisions be each advanced
50, 800, and those OF their assistants to
:, 900 each, and that Of the chiefs of other
Visions to So, 300 per annum. or the cler-
al force the commissioner says il claimants
III do their part by responding 10 the calls for
11dence, present force can easily settle cash
lough to expend, during the incoming fiscal
the full amount Of the available Sppro-
ration. lie expresses belief that all claims
oW outstanding viii be disposed of bv July /.
SS4 and trusts evidence NAV be forthcoming
, enable the Office to accomplish mis- mncL2
end, so that the "high-waier
lark' IN annual expenditure Tor pensions NAV
G speedily known. The report concludes with
graceful complimentary reference to tho
fective labors of suboriinates.