The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1893-08-23
REASONS GIVEN.
For the Dropping of So Many
Pensioners.
Commissioners Lochren Makes
Statement.

There Al Much Misrepresentation Concern
ing the Pension Bnreau's Attitude To-
ward the Old Soldiers There Has Been
Large Amount of Fraud and an Investi-
CATION Is Being Made.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.3The follow
ing statement has been given out for
publication by Pension Commissioner
Lochren:
80 much misapprehension concern
ing the attitude of the pension bureau
toward the so1d soldiers is current that
it seems proper to make public state.
inent concerning matters growing out
of the recent and now pending Van
Leuyen Investigations. Mr.. Van Leuyen
has for many years done a large PEN
sion business, having his Office at Lime
Springs, La. His clientage has been by
no means confined to his immediate To-
caiity. but has been drawn from all
over the states of Iowa and Minnesota,
and even from more remote parts of
the country. In June last, as a result
of the preliminary investigation into
his methods, he was suspended by
the secretary of the interior from
practice before the department. While
it would not be judicious to enter into
details at this time as to the facts
brought to light in the preliminary in
vestigation, will say that it was clear
ly shown that for years he has support
ed the claims which he has prosecuted
by highly-developed and successful
system of dishonest practices. AT the
time of his suspension evidence was be-
fore the bureau showing beyond ques-
ton instances of purchase of testimony,
fraudulent preparation of affidavits,
bribing of sworn officials of the govern
ment and wholesale deception of appli-
cants for pensions, by means of which
they were induced to show their graft
tude by the payment of fees and annui-
ties beyond the amount allowed by law
1t was apparent that all claims allowed
upon ex parte evidence furnished by
Van Leuven must be investigated.
''In the few cases inquired into at
the time of the preliminary investiga-
ton evidences of fraud were so plain
and SO numerous that every claim filed
and prosecuted by Kim became inevita-
bly, an object of suspicion. According
ly, all his cases which could be at once
identified in the files of the bureau were
drawn and examined, and nearly
500 of these have been sent to
Special Examiner Waite, at Mime
apolis, for investigation. In such as
seemed to rest wholly upon evidence
prepared by Van Leuven-somewha
more than 200 in all-suspension of pay
ment was ordered, pending the neces-
sary inquiry. This was in accordance
with the uniform practice of the bureau
for many years. and is singular in this
instance only by reason of the fact that
tie majority of the suspended pen
sions were drawn in few adjacent
counties.
Special Examiner Waite has been
for several weeks engaged exclusively
upon these cases. In some instances it
has been found practicable to rescind
the order of suspension in advance of
thorough investigation. 1t such cases
there has been but a brief withholding
of the pension. But in most of the
cases the evidence upon which the orig
inal action Of the bureau was based is
now known to be so worthless that
it would be breach of official
trust to continue the payment before
the facts have been thoroughly sifted.
Doubtless there are some cases in which
the temporary loss of the pension works
hardship to worthy men, but no pains
Will be spared to ascertain such cases
and make the period of suspension as
brief as possible. 1t is not charged or
believed that in such suspended case the
pensioner himself has been guilty of
misconduct. 1t was Van Leuven's
p4S~SIASG W tSihC GLAC prosecution VI lis
cases quite out of the hands of the APP
plicant. and thus it often happened
that honest claims on his charge were
supported by dishonest means.
-Four special examiners, experienced
employees of the bureau, are now en-
gagged upon the Van Leuven cases in
Iowa and Minnesota, and the work will
be carried forward with the greatest
possible diligence and dispatch. The
ex parte evidence upon which each
case is allowed will be fairly tested,
and if found honest and reliable
payment VIII be at once resumed.
Special Examiner Waite has been We
hemently denounced in some quarters
on account of the way in which he is
represented TO have obtained important
evidence in the Van Leuven matter in
May last. His conduct of the case is,
however, fully known to the bureau,
and is approved"