The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-10-30
OLDEST WERE BEST
PENSION COMMISSIONERS GENERAL
lies SOMEWHAT.
He is Impatient with the Old Soldier Who
is Impatient with Regard to the
Amount of the Nations Gratitude and
the Difiiculty OF Obtaining . Sa;isfac-
tory Testimonial i'm Pecanizry Form
-Roasts Pension Attorneys-Annual
Statistical Report-air. Bowler Breaks
Loose-Wasbinxtoa News.


Washington. Oct. 2s.-Comnissioner
William l. Lochren. OF the pension
Office, in his aRuual report makes sew
eral pointed suggestions Under the
head, Patriotism and Pensions" he
says:
Those men who enlisted early and
fought the battles Of tae war were not
moved by nsrcenary considerations,
and unless actually disabled did not
show the haste in applying for pensions
manifested by those who enlisted near
er the Close fthe war, for large boun-
ties, and did little actual service, and
VINO are now the noisiest in clamoring
for more pensions. AS compared with
this latter class the real soldiers of the
war have been modest in preferring
claims fer pens ions
The commissioner says that many dis
reputable and incompetent men are en-
gagged as pension attorneys and sug-
gests that none but reputable men be
allowed to practice in pension eases.
Dishonest attorneys have given much
trouble by systematic criminal and
fraudulent practices. Pension pay
ments. the commissioner says, bring
large amounts OF money into communi-
ties, and the fear that the conviction of
these attorneys would lessen the Influx
of money has shaped itself in popular
rancor against the special examiners
whose Investigate tons have secured the
conviction of criminals. The special eX-
aminatio.s division viii not require as
much money as in the past for the rea-
son that vigorous prosecution of frauds
and crimes has discouraged and meas
urably stopped frauds.
The death of many witnesses and rhe
age of claimants had made IL quite
difficult in many cases lately to obtain
proof sufficient for the granting of pen
sions. The commissioner recommends
that some provision be made for the
maintenance of deserving clerks in his
bureau who have been long in the ser
vice and have become practically dis
abled.
The report shows that the number OF
pensioners June 80. 1894. was 969, "a. new
pensioners added during the year 3D.
1S5; dropped pensioners restored 4.206:
deaths during the year %, SIC: dropped
for cause 14.575; making a net increase
of pensioners during the year of $50.
Pension claims allowed during the year
SO, 1856; denied los, 800: cases pending 552.-
2l0. The appropriation for the year was
S13S. SO7. 337. the $500 900 for surgeons
fees, and $3.50 900 for clerk hire at pen
sion agencies and about 500, 900 for
other expenses.
The commissioner conlrnends the Wig
or of the department. of justice and of
pension examiners in prosecuting dis
honest attorneys and others Who We're
engaged in pension frauds. Two hun
dred and ninety-four persons were con-
victed during the year for frauds.
THAT MAN BOWLER.
Competroller of the Trea sury Bowler
has decided that cOngressmen-elect are
not entitled TO government stationary
until they have taken the oath of office.
Heretofore members elect have been al
lowed to draw on their stationery al
dowance as ii become due monthly. af-
ter March 4, the beginning OF their
their term, but the comptroller now
holds the right is not vested in a men,
Der until he is sworn in.
WALLER RECORDS
Several letters We're received at the
state department. from Ambassador
Eustis today and there is every reason
to believe that the record in the Wal
Ter case Was among them. This docu-
ment has been considered by the de-
parment as essential TO the prepara-
ton Of the governments presentation
of the case and ii is understood that the
department viii now proceed forthwith
to prepare whatever demand or request
IT may decide 20 make upon the French
government in Mr.. Walters behalf.