Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-12
PENSIONS PAID.
Distribution Of Last Quarterly Paw
ments Nearly Completed.
Some Interesting Figures About the AUGUSTA
Pension Agency.

through this quarters rush of business.
which began Dec. 4, and most of the
pensioners have received their quietus,
pro tenn. However, to pick out any one
period as its busy season. would hardly
be possible, for on account of the changes
OF residence, and transfers from other
agencies to this one there is always bust
ness enough for this department., to say
nothing of the regular routine work
which has to be completed In time to
makeup the regular payments
On Dec. 4, the payments for the quarter
ending on that date were ready, and, ever
since, many pensioners have been coming
in to receive their payments.
The system of vouchers adopted greatly
facilitates the work, and is, too, a saving
OF much time. With each payment made
voucher is sent for the following
quarters payment. For instance with
the payment for the quarter ending Dec.
4, is sent voucher for amount due
March 4, which can be signed on, or after
that date, and forwarded to the agency
other matters, the U. S. government will
not pay until receipt has first been re-
ceived
The number of pensioners in the Au-
gusta agency is on the increase. In
answer to inquiries of Journal reporter
| Captain r. W. Black said, Wednesday:
For the fiscal year ending June 30,
1895, this agency has lost by death 679
pensioners. However, by allowances, and
| transfers, 871 have been added to the lists
thus making an increase in number of
| 1872, for the year. If the same ratio Of
deaths continues, which has been up to
date, since June 80, we shall lose 1000 by
death this year. The loss will undoubt-
eddy be made good, however, by increases
from allowances and transfers. "
When asked if the on-claimants were
not in the small minority, Captain Black
replied: Non claimants are, naturally
few and far between. Yet, it sometimes
happens that pensioner fails to claim
his dues for three years, when he is
dropped from the pension rolls, and can
he restored only by application to the pen
sion bureau. When, upon sufficient proof
if his disability still appears to exist, he
is restored, and receives the full amount
of pension due"
"Do the pensioners promptly apply for
their dues" was asked.
"As matter of fact, about one out of
90 is delinquent About 1900 apply in
person, and these usually appear very
soon after the opening for payment. The
balance OF the pensioners on the roll,
about IS, 500, are paid through the mails
on remittance of vouchers properly
signed. OF these about 1000 are delin-
quent, and apply for payment at different
intervals throughout the three months.
ga great many have their vouchers
kept at the agency, on file, so that when
the time for payment arrives, they appear
and execute the vouchers here.
THE Augusta agency pays out, quarter
", In the neighborhuod Of $500, 000 making
an annual sum of over $4,000, 900 OF
the 90, 600 pensioners about 1900 are in
mates of the Togus Home
Does the number of pensioners In
crease rapidly throughout the United
Statesy" was asked.
For the last year there were rs, 447
| who had increases. This is largely due to
disability from old age and trouble arising
| from wounds, that incapacitate the pen
sioncrs from work y
The Augusta agency has on its roll pen
| sioners in all parts Of the country, some
who have resided in Maine but who have
moved away and have not been transferred
| A residence in "A state of six months is
! sufficient to cntitle an eligible applicant
TO the roll of the agency of that State
In day or two the bulk of the work for
this quarters payments will have been
completed.
| In winter is the pension especially
| needed. and as the cold sets in, how many
thank their lucky stars that there is such
/ xx,;th ilLp