The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-08-17

lated to mislead the public The gst of Bussey's
decision was that two or three small ratings Of
say. s. each shonld not be added together and
counted as whole.
Weike was on the rolls under the old
law at 50 per month for rheumatism. He
applied under the new law and was rated
at IS for rheumatism and 81 for another
disability, and, of course, as this 81 rating
was below the minimum rate allowed under
the new law. Bussey rejected his appeal.
and in rejecting it he uses these words: The
only question IS. Is he, from the cause or causes
involved, disabled for the performance of
manual labor to the extentOf6- 10? Ifso he is
entitled to the minimum rate of Sc Weike did
not receive any notice of suspension. He is
still on the rolls undistBrbed at $S-certificate
No. 47S,l73; consequently his case does not
apply. 1t is said there is nothing new in the
manner of adjudicsting claims in the Pension
ONCE, and that the com rades need not fear; but
there IS something in the following circu-
lar Of the Medical Referee:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
VCircuiar.) MEDICAL DIVISION.
WAsHisGToS. ID. c.. June L. 1888.
IN tne matter OF rating cases under the act Of
june q, $780, the following directions will serve as
landnarks only. and will be subject to such varia-
tons as IN the particular Gas NAV be required.
The ratings will be SIC, $40, SO. S.
TIE rating of Sl2 Will be allowed only in the fol-
lowing cases:
]. la where the claimant is clearly disabled
rate $50
2. In loss of either hand or arm fold rate SOL
3. In total deafness Of both ears fold rate $50.
The minimum rate (SGJ shall be allowed for a dis
ability eqnivalent To aHchylosis of elbow joint.
lfl.is was $40 under the old scheduled
Ii there arc two more disabilities each de-
handing a rate OF Sc. the rating OF S. shall be
allowed; and for two disabilities. each de-
n1anding a rate OF So the rating OF $40 shall be
manding rating below So, shall not be added to
make minimum rating. and such cases shall be
rejected.
All specific ratings as published In the book of
instructions have no application in adJudicating
Claims under this act
THOMAS FEATHKRsroSHAuGH.
Medical Referee.
NoTE.-The figures In brackets are my own and
do not appear in the original circular.
Here we find new condition of things
created in the Pension Office. By this circular
the scedule of rating is changed. The standard
of disability mas been raised. In order to re-
ceive S12 the soldier must have disability
which would entitIe him to $50 under the old
schedule, and the $40 rate has been reduced to
So.
The yardstick by which the soldiers dis
ability is now measured has been more than
doubled.
1t is said that there are Republicans on the Re-
visory Board. If so, they are there az machines
to carry out instructions These very men
were on tho Board of Review and allowed these
same pensions They were under oath then;
they are under oath now. Why the change of
action under the same lawf Why, of course
the altered schedule, the lengtheued yardstiek.
Yes, there are Republicans the Revisory
Board, but it has been proclaimed throughout
the land that in future Medical Boards ap-
pointed to examine pensioners shall be- three of
kind-they shall all be Democrats and, of
course, friendly, very friendly. to the old vets
There are Is or 20 members this Reyisory
Beard, with their attendant file clerks Con-
gress appropriated money TO pay these men TO
adjudicate and settle the unsettled OF pending
claims. Instead Of this they are now mployed
in unsettliug the settled cases, and claim that
1t is a misrepresentation Of the public funds to
keep them at work that Congress mover in
tended should be done.
Under the law and the Regulations govern
Ing Soldiers Homes q man must be examined
and found incapactated for performing manual
labor before he can be admitted, yet these
notices of suspension are sent to inmates of
these Homes.
That means no more tobacco for the old vet,
and 40 moro remittances for the old woman on |
quarter day.
wish the Commissioner and the Secretary
couid see some of the letters which / am in |
daily receipt of. One poor fellow writes Lieut. |
Kirby has died since the letter came He was
D20iy bFeAted by tnlS ADMINISTRATION. lie was 1
all through Shermsns campaign. He was
worried about denomination, as the most of
his witnesses are dead. His rheumatism went
to his heart and killed him. Another writes
many brave old comrades now on their last
legs are worried on account of the cry of fraud,
as we are all now branded as frauds, and our |
children are TAINTED in the streets, Your
father is fraud and will lose his pension"
This is no time to talk of party or politics. |
/ served in the grand old 18th ~ Y, Nine
tenths of my comrades were Democrats 7
Commissioner Loehran and I served in the I
same division under the superb Hancock. Ny /
regiment formed the stormipg column or for |
iorn hope. and was the first over the rebel |
breastworks the morning we took Petersburg
l would be false to the memory of my dead |
and recreant TO the interests Of the I
few that live If | did not raise my humble /
voice in response to the many calls that I re- |
ceive from all parts Of the country crying out,
Is there no help for tho cid veteran that stood |
by the flag and kept it afoat in the dark days /
from 81 to 80. PATRICK OFARRELI. |
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