The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-11-25
SISo,OOO,OOO
Required for Pensions for the
Next Fiscal Year
According to Commissioner
Raum'S Estimate.

Last Year the Appropriation Was S144,-
600, 600, Yet There Was a Deficiency of
SIS, 900, 600 General Raum of the
Opinion That the Maximum Limits are
Nearly Reached-Back Pensions.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23.-There appears
to be more than usual interest attached
20 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
ing 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 a few days
the report of General Raum will be
completed and a 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 adj
vanced to show that this estimate is In
excess of the actual requirements.
Since the passage of the disability bill
there has been a rapid increase in the
amount needed to pay the pensions. For
the year 1S90-91 the total appropriation
on account of pensions was about $685.,
600, 900. Last year there was an increase
to $144, 900, 900. But, as General Raum
will state, in his report, this amount
fell short of the actual demands by
about SIS, 900, 000 so that there is de-
hciency of that amount. Congress will
be asked to make an appropriation of
$3.50, OOO, 900 for the coming fiscal year,
about SIS, 000,0 900 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
limits are nearly reached. 1t is arg ued
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 of
applications under the disability act is
over, rapid decline in first payments
will occur. 1t is understood that the
first payments last year aggregated over
$50. 000, 900, which covered the back pay
in the 81, 900 cases allowed.
The secretary of the treasury has re-
ceived the estimates of expenses for the
ensuing fiscal year from nearly all the
executive departments, and Will have
them in shape in time for transmission
to congress at the beginning of the seS-
sion. In pursuance of a general plan
these estimates have been reduced to
the lowest possible figure consistent
with the requirements of the service as
viewed by the present officials. 1t is
said to ne the purpose of the administra-
ton to avoid any warrant for a charge
of extravaganza in the recommends
tions. The estimates for pensions will
probably be unofficially furnished the
appropriations committee before the end
of this week.