Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-14
THE RERATED PENSIONS.
Senator Manderson's Case-How Man,
Will Follow His Example?

The. decision OF Secretary Noble in the re-
rated pension case of Senator Manderson may
be regarded as precedent in a number Of
other similar cases. Senator Henderson. how
ever, occupied a somewhat different position
from the majority Of pensioners recently re-
rated. His case was considered and an in
creased pension allowed him without any ap-
plication on his part or, in fact, any knowledge
that such was being done until he had received
certificate from the commissioner of pensions
showing that his pension had been increased.
Without drawing the srrearages that were due
him Senator Henderson at once wrote to the
Secretary Of the Interior asking whether the
increase in his case was made in accordance
with law.
The Secretary replied, stating that owing to
the fact that he had made no application for q
rerating as required by law that the action in
his case was illegal. Senator Henderson there
upon returned the money in the letter, quoted
elsewhere in The STAR.
As pension Office official remarked today in
talking with STAR reporter, one difference be-
tween Senator Manderson and the rest of the
rerated pensioners is that he has returned the
money and the others have not 1t is said that
most OF the others who have been rerated
made an application for it, which he did not.
RERATED EMYLoYKs OF THE PENSION OFFICE.
There are, it is understood some twenty-one
Of the employees of the pension Office whose
pensions have been rerated. In some instances
this rerating was done upon their application
and in other cases it was done without the
knowledge OF the pensioner. Some of these
cases were allowed by Commissioner Tanner
while they were on appeal before the Secretary
OF the Interior. The present acting commits
sioner, Hiram Smith, was rerated, but
it is understood that he made
that particular the legal requirements
were complied with. There are others in the
pension office well as outside whose pensions
were rerated and who received arrearages from
$4,000 to $13, 600, and under this ruling in the
Henderson case all are characterized as being
illegal The question now arises at what ex-
tent, if any, will Senator Manderson's example
be followed by those who occupy substantially
the same position.
THE RIGHT TO RECOVER THE MONEY ILLEGALLY
PAID.
1t is thought that the new commissioner of
pensions will have this question to consider
among the first duties which he will be called
upon to perform. The commissioner has the
right to recover all money illegally paid on ac-
count OF pensions and in cases where the ar
rearages have already been expended the gov
ernment can confscate all future pension
payments. So far there has been
no attempt made to recover any
of the money which has been found to have
been paid illegally to pensioners. 1t is said to
be the desire Of the Secretary Of the Interior
70 enforce as far practicable the collection of
the money, and that active measures will be
adopted AZ soon as . commissioner Of pensions
has been appointed.
Some Of the twenty-one employees Of the PEN
sion Office whose pensions were rerated have
left the government service since the action in
their cases were taken. The great majority
are still in government employ, and, Of course,
1t will be comparatively easy to compel re-
payment, providing they have not scent the
money. In such an event the government
could levy upon their salaries as well a. their
pensions
A number Of the rerated cases were made in
the administration Of Gen. Black.