The National tribune., 1894-04-05
OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

Correspondents should write each question on
separate sheet OF paper, give full name aud adj
dress and markit Correspondents Column" No
atten ton will be paid to communications not ac-
conpanied with name and address OF writer. II is
requested that g stamp be Enclosed for reply by
letter. Postal cards will be replied to by mall
only. Replies by mail will or dinarily be made
within q eek. and II in this column within three
weeks.l
&C G., Ryon, OIL. On March 30, 1893 was
granted an increase and rerating of pension from
81 10 $40 per month, dating from Feb. %. 1885, the
increase and rerating being for slight deafness both
ears the last date OF rating being Feb I5 1883; am
entitled to the benefit OF the act of Aug a. 1888
making the rating for slight deafness both ears,
&l5 per month; IL how shall proceed TO obtain
il? 2. Has the rating for slight deafness. both
ears been changed since fixed at SIS per month
under the act of Aug. 81, 1883; if please give
the present rating? Arstoer. l. The rate for
slight deafness. both ears has never been over Sc
per month. The rate OF SIS is given for nearly
total deafness of ear and slight of the other.
q 1t has not been changed since Nov. Is, 1857 when
IL fixed at IS; prior to that it was u and 81.
K d., Cricket, W.-If an applicant is ordered be-
fore Examining Board and is examined for an
increase and rating new disability, and then is
ordered q second time before another board and
said applicant refused To- be examined by second
board, and let the claim go by default, oan the
same claim be taken up and reopensd. and then
draw back to the time the application was made or
filed? AnSsOeT. That would depend entirely upon
the medical evidence submitted by the claimant TO
reopen his case and also to what the certificate of
the first examination shows
H. A. WhitneyviUe Me.-l. am drawing pension
for gunsbot wound OF head and rupture and
asthma. In 1889 filed claim for increase and
additional pensoin for new disabilities. In 1890
was examined and have furnished all the evidence
that mas been called for. In November. 1893, was
examined again. Ii the claim 10 allowed will
draw from the arst examination or the fling of
the claim? 2. 1t has been three months since 1
was examined the last time. How much longer
will il be before hear from the claim? g. Can
anything he had from the Government to pay the
funeral expenses of poor soldier who died with
claim for disability Is allowed and the exami-
nation shows you entitled to an increase OF pension
therefor it will commence from the date of filing
the claim. 2. We cannot say, because two
claims alike. 3. No.
CA. L., Stonehanl MasS.-I have been drawing
$50 month pension for three years for total dis
ability to perform manual labor. Pensioned for
disease of lungs. have sick spells caused from
my lung trouble of two weeks to three months
duration, so have to have an attendant ali OF this
time and medical attendance. Other times, say
six months of the year. manage TO get around
If can prove such disability? Ans,Oer. No.
CO b., High Bridge, Visa soldier drawing a
pension was married since June "a. 1890. and dies
How much pension would his widow be entitled
to draw per month after his death? AnstUer
Eight dollars under the old law; nothing under
the new law.
w. L.. Wl.itehaH, Vas-What Is a fraudulent
pension ? L have read of a man who had been in
Andersonyille and Libby Prisons IS months, and
had his pension taken away from him. A soldier
applied for pension in 1880; in 1883 he Is granted
q pensons in 1885 lie got an increase. In that time
he has beeflexamined by five dfferent DOCTORS anu
Pensions. hl'ine years have gone by since he got
his increase furnished all the evidence that
asked for Now what want TO know, after five
doctors have examined him, and two different
Commissioners of Pensions have had rulings
his case and everything il satisfactory, how
Commissioner Lochren now say that the soldier
is drawing a fraudulent pension does he take
up these kind of casesP ana told that every Post
master is ordered to act spy for the Gov
eminent Is this true? AliStper. fraudulent
pension is one obtained by fraud. We cannot I'M
dertake to explain the policy of the present Ad-
ministration regards pensions. The Commits
sioner seems to have the power to act as he peases
in pension matters. We do not know what the
instructions to Postmasters are.
Old Soldiers, Ohio-What Is the latest law OF this
present Congress with reference to the laying of
old soldiers land claim? AnstUer. The present
Congress has not Iegisated upon the subject.
There has been change in the law for years.
Personal entry and cultivation is required in ali
cases to secure title.
j. j. b. Slate, W. Pd.-1. have had claim pend
ing under old law for seven or eight years; got
weary sending in evidence, and applied under new
law and received So per month; will that have any
tendency to hinder my claim under old law? 2.
applied for increase, having sent in evidence of
two doctors and two Beighbors OF total disability
to perform manual labor; will the law under that
evidence allow me Si2 per month? 3. / r.
dered before the Board at Ravenswood w. Va,
ia November, 1892; why is it have never heard
a word from 1t since? a. Can the Commissioner
of Pensions stop pension OF So per MONTH unless
obtained by fraud? s. Would it be advisable TO
write to the Commissioner 10 find out anything
about it? Answer. l. No. 2. That is for the Com
missioner to decide. 1t ought to give you Sl2 per
month 3. We cannot say. 4. He assumes the
right to do so in many cases. 5. Yes.
Il. ~ b., Phelps, -.-1here has come up a ques-
exempt from muster fee and dues; will You decide
for whether he is not? AnSuer. He can be
exempted from both, but the Post will have to pay
captation tax for him.