Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-12-01
SISO,OOO,OOO
Required for Pensions for the
Next Fiscal Year
According to Commissioner
Raum's Estimate.

Last Year the Appropriation Was s144,-
900, 900, Yet There Was Deficiency Of
SIS, 200, 900 = General Raum of the
Opinion That the Maximum Limits are
Nearly Reached-Back Pensions.
WAsHINGToN, Nov. 22.-There appears
to be more than usual interest attached
to the forthcoming annual report of the
commissioner of pensions, for the reason
that the pension appropriation figures
conspicuously in the annual budget of
the government. 1t has been pretty well
understood for some time past that the
estimates for the next fiscal year would
show large increase over any previous
year.
This expectation was based on the
fact Of the large issue of pensions dur
irg the year consequent upon recent
pension legislation, which admitted to a
pensionable status very large number
of soldiers who were not pensionable
under the former laws. In few days
the report of General Raum will be
completed and full statement of the
condition of the pension office will be
presented. Statements have been made
that the amount that will be required
for pensions during the next fiscal year
will nearly reach the enormous sum of
$500, 900, 900. The work of compiling
the figures is, however, sufficiently ad-
vanced to show that this estimate is in
excess of the actual requirements.
Since the passage Of the disability bill
there has been rapid increase in the
amount needed to pay the pensions. For
the year 1900-91 the total appropriation
on account of pensions was about $685.
100000. Last year there was an increase
| to S144, 10000 But, as General Raum
will state, in his report, this amount
| fell short of the actual demands by
about $18, 900, 900, so that there is de.
ficiency of that amount. Congress will
| be asked to make an appropriation oil
| $1S0,G00, 600 for the coming fiscal year,
| about sis, ,000, 900 of which is in antici-
patton of an increase of that amount
over the actual expenditures OF the last
year.
1t is the Judgment of General Raum
that, while this amount is likely to be
increased for the next year or two, yet
he feels confident that the maximum
| llullL5 are uSdll IodCiAOu' ~ 10 "a uOu
that the great bulk of the pension. ap
preparation at present is used in making
first payments, carrying arrears, and
therefore, as soon as the great rush oi
applications under the disability act is
over, rapid decline in first payments
will occur. 1t is understood that the
first payments last year aggregated ovel
$50, 1000, which covered the back pay
in the Gil 900 cases allowed.
The secretary of the treasury has re
ceived the estimates of expenses for the
ensuing fiscal year from nearly ell tbs
executive department, and will have
them in shape in time for transmission
to congress at the beginning of the ses
sion. In pursuance of a general plar
these estimates have been reduced t.
the lowest possible figure consistent
with the requirements of the service a.
viewed by the present officials. 1t il
said to ne the purpose of the administra
ton to avoid any warrant for a chargt
of extravaganza in the recommends
tions. The estimates for pensions will
probably be unofficially furnished tn
appropriations committee before the enc
of this week.