Omaha daily bee., 1891-11-15
THE DEPRECIATION CLAIMS.

Tho experience of TnE BEE CLAIMS
BUREAU has brought out the fact that many
of its subscribers do not understand that the
Indian depredations act passed by the last
congress annulled all previous contracts for
collecting claims urder it. This is a fact
that they should know for their own protec-
ton. When the act was signed all contracts
with agents were made void by its terms.
The holders Of claims were then free to make
such bargains with their agents as they
pleased, or could refuse to make any bargain
at all.
The trainers Of the act fou nd it necessary
to take this step for the protection of the
claimants. AT the time when there seemed
little chance that such an act would be
passed hundreds of claimants had contracted
with agents to pay outrageous fees in case
the money could be collected. Cases are
known ia which the claimants mad contracted
TO give uD to the agents over one-half the
amount collected. Cases in which oEe-third
was promised were not at all To
allow these contracts TO stand would make
the law not an act of justice, out an act of
extortion for the benefit Of the claim agents.
The clause was inserted annulling all the
contracts, good, bad and Indifferent, and
limiting the percentage to be charged by
agents TO 10 per cent, wi II an extra . per
cent allowance for special cases. The claim
agents naturally objected to this, asserting
that it was beyond the powers of congress,
but the best opinion OF both houses was that
contracts made to collect claims under a law
that did not exist could be anuulled in this
manner.
On the 4th of March, therefore. the claim
ants who had signed contracts were as free
from obligations to agents as those who had
not. If they were satisfied with their agents
and wished to sign a new contract within the
limit of compensation fixed by the law, it
was their right, but none of them were
under any legal obligation to do SO. The
more INSCRIPTIONS of the agents naturally
represented to their clients that they were
bound to renew their contracts, with merely
the substitution of the terms named by law
for the outrageous commissions at first de-
manded. Cases have been brought to the
attention of The BEE In which this
policy had been followed fully
by INSCRIPTIONS agents. They had IN II word
bullied the claimants into hiring them when,
If the claimants had understood that they
were free of obligation, they would have
chosen other representatives. AS others are
being worked upon in the same way, the
facts of the case are set forth for their pro-
lection. III they are satisfied with the men
they first chose they are right in re-engaging
them. If they are not satitied, they are free
to engage an body they choose.
TIE BEE CLAIMS BUREAU was established
solely for the protection of the public. 1T
was established on account Of the complaints
of its su 5scriberS who thought they were
being ~uniustly treated, and those, still more
numerous, who applied 10 it to find a reliable
agent. 1t will collect the claims at only such
charges as will pay the expenses of the ru-
reau. 1t is expected that it will rarely hap
pen that the limit set b. the law will be
needed to pay the expense of collection.
Many of the claims can doubtless be collected
for 5 per cent of their face. The bureau Is at
the service of the subscribers and public a.
large. Those who take advantage of its offer
will save money by it. Those who DO not
place their claims in its charge will save
money, too, for it has put a check on the ra-
pacity of the agents who would otherwise
feel free to take TIE last penny the law al
lows. II is the privilege of a great news
paper to benefit all.