National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-01-30
PENSION ATTORNEYS FEES.
Secretary Teller Explains some Hith-
erto Mysterious Matters.

erto Mysterious Matters.
Secretary Teller was examined by th
house committee on tho payment Of pom
sions, bounty, aud back pay, yesterday,
relative to the passage Of the law at tho
last session Of congress increasing tho
fees Of pension attorneys from $40 to S25.
Ho said that IL had been the practice to
suspend an attorney upon the solicitation
of the commissioner OF pensions. Com
plant, however, was made by attorneys
who said that they wero not allowed a
hearing. Thereupon the secretary issued
an order reinstatiug number OF at
| tornoys
WHO HAD BEES DtsBARRED.
The commissioner asked that N. w.
Fitzgerald be suspended from practioing
before the interior department The sec
rotary declined to disbar him before ho
had been given an opportunity to bo
heard. subsequently Mr. Fitzgerald was
indicted by the courts for an improper
use Of the mails, for an otionso so closely
connected with tho pension business that
he disbarred him.
"Prior to Mr.. Fitzgerald's reinstate-
ment," the secretary continued IL found
that the disbarment Of attorneys was
working injuriopsly to the soldiers.
These attorneys had largo numbers OF
cases which they refused IN give over. Al
ono time Fitzgerald spoke to me about
tho assignment of his business. He said
that the commissioner was prejudiced
against him. am frank to say that Fitz-
gerald was, perhaps, not treated by the
commissioner as he should have been.
When he spoke Of his proposed assign
n - A II. Al n Al. a a
DO best for him, and that would help
ton tho name OF Mr.. Lemon, as the por.
son to whom he proposed to make tho as
signment was not mentione d. was In
favor OF an assignment
TO ANY REPUTABLE PERSON."
Relative to tho passage OF the law, Sec,
rotary Teller said: Some gentlemen
called with Mr.. Lemon in relation to tn,
change of fees as proposed by the pension
appropriation bill as IL passed the house
OF representatives. l examined IL and
said | would give attention to IL. Al
about this Same time | had received
communications from members Of con.
gress asking for an expression of opinion
on the proposed law. | prepared sub
stitute, which 10 now the statute. While
u member of the senate, was charm n
, OF the committee on pensions. Tha
committee discussed tho propriety of re
: pealing the $40 fec law Of 1873, aud re
: enacting the law Of 1870, providing for Q
sos fee. The committee, while l was
member. decided to rocommen d return
! to the $25 fee system" As early as 1888
, it was discovered that the $40 fee wa
: working
: INJURIoUsLY TO THE OFFICE.
1 Claims were filed under it when thor
was no prospect of securing an allowance
In February of 1884 Senator Hawloy in
troduced bill providing for change o
the system. That bill Is substantial,
y the substitute which l recommended
2 the house appropriations committee.
L had the approval of the commissioner
D pensions. In three of his annual report
he recommended the re-enactment Of tn
a law of 1870"
= "Was not this substitute "a propose
u by you
4 BENEFICIAL TO THE PENSION ATToR
g NEYsY
a asked Mr.. Warner, the chairman of III
n committee.
j. 'In my opinion" replied the secretar,
a ut was tho bcst law for the pension,
h that has been passed. for years. Under
Q the pensioner pays but one foe. Und,
n the $40 feo system no might BIO compellC
by attorneys to pay number Of =
fees"
The secretary will appear before h
committee again to-day.
v