Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-13

afhdavits on the subject from three persons.
IL was discovered that these individuals had
done nothing more than swear TO his identity.
suose9uently his attorney or somebody else
had hlled In the portion left blank in each afi-
aasit paper with statements respecting the
nght ana the wound received. The whole story
was pure invention. In truth, the applicant
nao got his hurt by falling of the roof OF Q
two-story house which was in process of build
ing. On being confronted with the facts he
confessed and begged like a whipped cur not to
De prosecuted aud exposed.
TEMPTATION TO DEFRAur.
The crop OF fraudulent pensions has been
large. This is not at all surprising, consider
ing how easy such cheats have been made.
For example. suppose the case of an ex-bountv
Jumper IN Oshkosh. much run to seed through
drink and other dissipated habits. He receiyss
circular from an attorney informing hum
that he is perhaps entitled to pension and
advising him 10 apply for one
The ex-bounty jumper finds this suggestion
most attractive. His wife has grown tired Of
supporting him. and the money be pets from
her is hardly sufficient to paw for his run and
other wees. A regular annuity from the gov
eminent would be very useful Accordingly.
he replies TO the circular. stating his services
IN the war and the nature of his disabili.ies
RESPECTING the latter lac can speak earnestly,
his constitution being thoroughly undermined
by alcohol. The attorney makes out a form OF
application and sends it to him for execution
before a notary or magistrate The statement
thus sworn to is forwarded through the attor-
ney 70 the pension bureau. The case is re-
corded ana given place on the files. and in
due course the claimant IL ordered nm for
examination before the nearest board of examin-
ing physlcians. Probably a surgeon on that
board has attended some member of the appli-
cants family at some time, and takes an inter-
est IN MN. On favorable report by the board,
ne gets the pension. Incidentally. he has been
obliged TO swear that his disabilities are not
due 70 vicious habits. His own afiSavit 10
tins effect is sufficient. no other testimony
being required.
Fifty thousand attorneys are now regularly
practicing before the pension bureau. They
are scattered all over the country. The fee
which they are allowed to receive in each case
is liked al $40. This sum lie taken out Of the
nrst payment OF pension by the United States
pension agent and is forwarded 10 the attorney
by draft The latter can in no instance exact
more than Sl0, and the claimant is so notified.
Nevertheless, Illegal fees have frequently been
extorted from pensioners. IL Is q risky bust
ness. ANY attorney caught at il il disbarred
from practice before the bureau. The attorneys
secure the names OF possible pensioners from
persons for whom they have procured pensions
IN the same neighborhoods. 1t is hardly possi-
bic Tor any one who has a reasonable claim to
escape knowledge of the fact. Sometimes q
single ex-soldier will receive as many as q
dozen circulars Of the kind referred to inside of
a week.
TO WEED oUT TIE CHEATS
The pension bureau now oontemplates sew
eral measures for wedding out fraudulent pen
sioners. A circular has already been sent to
ITO special examiners in different parts OF the
country. directing them 10 inquire in all locali-
ties which they visit TO the existence OF such
cheats. II is a part OF their regular duty 20
examine witnesses for the purpose Of obtsin-
Ing testimony In respect TO all applications for
pensions. They will ask every such witness il
he or she knows Of anybody who is reported to
be drawing pension fraudulently Gases thus
learned OF will be fully investigated
In every important town there is at least one
board OF examining surgeons employed by the
pension bnreau- Each board is composed Of
three physicians These surgeons are ali re-
publicans at present During Mr. Clevelands
former administration one republican was Sc
lected for each board. TO serve with two demo-
Gratis, in order that politics should have no con.
troll over decisions. The democrats complain
that under Mr.. Harrison's regime they were
allowed no representation whs tever every board
being exclusively republican. MANY changes in
the personnel of the boards are soon TO DO
made. The new men viii be instructed 10
make the examinations much more strict They
will inquire OF all applicants as TO reported
fraudulent pensioners. Furthermore. bv new
"a.
der the law Of 1880 must furnish the affidavits
OF two credible witnesses 10 whether his
disabilities are due 10 vicious habits or not
These things have never been done hitherto.
To the same end the pension bureau will
utilize postmasters all over the country. mar
ticularly in small places. At the post Offices in
little towns neighborhood scandals of every
sort are talked over and the local pensioners
are well known. The postmasters will be re-
quested to give information Of cases reported
to be fraudulent In addition to these meas
ures thousands of cases where pensions ct high
rates have been allowed viii be withdrawn
from the files in Washington for re-examins-
ton.
According to the pension law Of 1890. which
granted from Sc to Sl2 month for disability,
a claimant in order TO obtain the maximum al
lowance must be seriously disabled But il il
asserted that thousands of names now on the
rolls are those of persons not entitled TO this
high rate. OF 4o0. 900 such cases approved dur
ing the last four years more than 800 600 got
the maximum Of sl44 year. Before the law
Of 1890 went into effect there were only few
over 400. 900 pensioners on the rolls; now there
are 95S.O00 This law cost the government
more than sl00, 900 900 last year. The demo-
Gratis claim that Of this vast sum eco 600 600
was expended illegally, the object held in view
being to grind ont as many pensions as posi-
BILE. with o minimum Of care in investigating
claims. Thus il is alleged. has come about q
condition of affairs which obliges the United
States to spend more money annually on &C.
count OF war than is expended by anv Of the
armed nations Of Europe. Hence the poverty of
the treasury and the present financial crisiA