Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-01
STOPPING PENSION SUSPENSIONS.
The Commissioner Makes q New Order
Modifying the Old.

An order by Commissioner of Pensions
Lochren, approved by the Secretary OF the
Interior, was issued yesterday, that hence
forth no suspensions shall be made unless
the record shows that the pensioner is not
entitled to pension at all. 1t is said OIL
cially that Secretary Hoke Smith has
doubted the equity Of suspension pending in
quiry into legality of rating In some cases
it has been found that suspended pensioners
were entitled to remain on the rolls sy rea-
son Of an increase Of disability after the
issue Of pension. In instances of this kind
hardship resulted. The number Of persons
drawing pensions under the act of June q,
1880. and liable TO suspension by the recent
ruling Of the department, has proved 10 be
greater than was expected.
Another version of the reason for the new
order is that congressional pressure had be-
come SO intense as to compel IT. An APP
parently authentic story has 1t that prom
tnent democratic member called at the de-
partment and said that If the suspension
epidemic was not arrested he would not get
five votes at the next election In his dis
trict. 1t is said that many democratic Con-
gressmen have made similar REPRESENTATIONS.
The order says:
In the re-examination Of all classes al
lowed under section of the &C: Of June "a,
1890 the practice of the bureau Is hereby
changed and modified as follows:
First. Where it appears primd facie on the
face of the papers that the oensioner was
not entitled to any rating the payment OF
the pension shall be at once suspended snd
the pensioner notified that he will be cio
ped from the rolls after sixty days from such
notice, unless he shall In the meantime file
competent evidence showing mis- right 10
pension.
Second. Where, on the face Of the papers,
IL appears that the pensioner is entitled
to a less rate than he is now receiving, he
shall be notified that his pension viii be
reduced to such less rate unless within sixty
days from such notice he shall ME cunlIe-
tent evidence of his right to a higher rat
ing
Third. Where II appears on the face of the
papers that the pensioner had been allow ed
a pension under a prior law and that he is
not entitled under the act Of June q, 1880
to any higher rate Of pension than was 80
allowed under such prior law, ne shall Ice
notified that his pension under the ACT OF
June q. $780, will be dropped and his pen SION
under such prior law restored, unless within
sixty days from such notice ne stall file
higher rate than was granted by his pen
sion under such prior law.
Fourth. Every such notice shall inform the
pensioner that upon his application 10 the
commissioner he will be Immediately oreer-
ed for examination by a local medical board
TO enable him TO obtain the necessary eyi-
dence to show his right to pension.
Fifth. When any pensioner shall have
complied with the requirement u such no.
tice and furnished evidence tenIi1g to sup
port his claim to be continued on the rolls
the case shall at once be a special case
and be promptly adjudicated. There will
be no preliminary suspension IN any case
hereafter except as provided In the fisi
subdivision of this order.