New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-28
THE PENSION BILL REPORTED.
CHANGES MADE IN EXISTING LAWS.
THE ELL CARRIES sI0e. 400 oOO-PESsIoN AGEN
CIEs ABOLISHED.
fRY TELEGRAPH TO THE IRIDUsRl

IRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIDUsBl
Washington. Jan. o7.-As ought probably TO be ex'
pected. the full Committee on Appropriations dis
approved OF three Of the propositions 10 change
existing laws. which the subcommittee desired TO
saddle upon the Pension Appropriation BILL and 1t
was reported 10 the House shOrn OF th0ee pro-
visions. One OF them provided that from aud after
July J. 1893. no pensioner drawing pension under
the Dependent Pension act m June 1890. shall con-
time receive the same unless he shall show that
he Is totally disabled for manual labor, and shall
also show to the satisfaction OF the Pension Once
that his annual income Is less than $500 Tile
second provision which was rejected was one which
prohibits the payment Of a pension 10 solder
widow unless she married to him prior to the
year 1870. The third provision which failed 10 re-
ceive the approval Of the full committee was the one
which proposed abolish the medical and surgical
examining boards throughout the country and to re-
qurc that their duties shall be performed by medical
and special examiners detailed therefor by tae 'oi-
missioner Of Pensions.
The Recommendation Of the subcommittee that
from and after July /. 1893, pension shall be paid
to a nonresident alien except for actual disabilities
contracted in the service was approved AhOther
new provision which approved by the full
committee Is one which, after considerable discus
sion. rejected by the House ut the last session.
II provides tina. any pensioner who Is an inma'e
Of a soldiers home shall forfeit his pension. except
the sum Of 81 Il month. unless. having wife AT The
time OF his admission to the home. or parent or
minor children dependent upon him for support, he
shall apply the remainder OF his pension to that
purpose.
Another provision which was adopted abolsleS the
eighteen agencies Tor tho payment Of pensions through
out the country, and provides that from and after
July l. 1888 all p, nsions shall be paid directly from
the Treasury Of the United states. The sum of Si0o
900 is appropriated TO pay the expenses OF making
such pay ments. The committee expects by this change
TO save about 100000 year, but that expectation
which does not seem to rest any careful estimate
or trustworthy data. may not BE- realized. lhder
the picscnt system the disbursement OF money for
pensions costs the Government about thirty two cents
for each 500 di~bursed. secretary Foster. Of the
Treasury Department, who was before the committee
was unwilling to say whether the work could be done
choDply III :hc manner suggested until lie couu
make an investigation and consult with the Treasurer
OF the Jnitci states, which he promised TO DO as
soon rs practicable, and furnish the committee VIII
the result. II does appear from the report OIL
the committee secretary Foster had concluded
his inquiry and communicated III" results ot H.
Another provision when adopted Will ailo"
any persons who - desire to have copied NJ theii
own expense the pension roll OF any pension agency
provided that the work Of copying snail u" doIe ~
such time rs shall not interfere with the regular w0rT
proved BY the full committee reads rs follows:
! THAT committee consisting Of FIVE members cleo
grcss. he appointed hy the Speaker OF the I",is'
Of the Lid C,Ggrr>S. shall, prior 10 the first Monday
| of Drccmber next inquire into AMI investigate the
operation ul All laws glantinI pensions 10 soldiers
sailors and Others. whether the rates OF pension there
under are excessive and. generally. whether there
! should be- any mobilization of said laws. 800
Ih. total amount carried by the bill II Sl6o,1OO.
oo6. Of which $IGj 90 is for tne payment Of pen
!