The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-05-02
ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
MONEY LOST BY DELAY.
Important Information for Sol
diers and Others.

considerable number of the survivors Of the
Army and Navy who participated in the war of the
rebellion are suffering from wounds, injuries or
diseases which had their origin IN the line of duty
in the service, and who have failed to file claim
for pension account of said disabilities although
clearly entitled thereto.
Many have, no doubt, failed to apply for the
son that the law specifies that in all such claims
filed after June 50, 1880 the pension when granted
can commence only from the date when the appli-
cation is fled in the Pension Office, and the amount
received at first payment would, in some cases, be
small.
l take pleasure in stating that there are very
good reasons for believing that the law limiting
arrears in such pension cases were not fled prior
to July l. 1880 will be amended; and in consider
ing the subject i'm the Committee Invalid Pen
sions, House of Representatives. seth Congress- the
Chairman announced that the Committee was in
favor of bill granting arrears of pension back to
the date of discharge in such cases where the APP
peatiOTi is OF file in the Pension Office at the date
| of the passage of the bill
You must therefore, readily observe the advant-
age to be gained by person entitled to pension in
| placing his claim on file at once so as to secure
/ back pension when the proposed law shall have
| 1t was not contemplated by the Committee on
| Invalid Pensions to give arrears to those whose
claims are not on file at the date OF the passage OF
| the act.
Ihave at all times steadfastIy advocated the pas
| sage of bill which wiz give arrears of pension 10
| every person who is suffering from wounds, lnJu-
res or diseases contracted in the line of duty in the
| service no matter when the claim was or is filed
but all legislation looking to such comprehensive
measure has far been unsuccessful, and this pro
| posed legislation may be all that be secured.
Another reason why soldier who is entitled to a
pension should Immediately file his claim Is the
increased difficulty which the claimant will expert
ence as the years pass by In finding officers or com
Tades whose testimony is necessary establish the
claim. Every year adds thousands to the death
| roll, and the witnesses who alive may
have passed away year hence. 1t is. therefore
| extremely important to have the claim filed and
the testimony secured while it is possible TO do
! Delays are dangerous and a soldier who has
| others depending upon him may be doing his fam
lily great injustice III falling lay the foundation
for their future comfort by neglectng to place his
claim ON file.
The pension laws are now being more literally
| administered, and many claims heretofore consid
| cred as inadmissible now being daily allowed
All who believe themselves entitled to pension
should write to me for an opinion, which will b'
promptly and cheerfully furnished. No fee il
charged for services III any pension claim unles
the claim shall be allowed in which event the lega
fee is deducted out of the first payment OF pension
| made to the pensioner