The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-21
PENSIONS WILL GROW LESS
Commissioner Murphy Says the Roll
Win Grow Smaller From Nov On.

OOAnuASSloASE murphy says the Roll
Will Grow Smaller From Now On.
Washington, Sept 21.-Dominto I.
Murphy, commissioner of pensions. has
made his annual report for the fiscal
year ended June 80. 1896, to Secretary
Francis.
He says:
There were added to the rolls during
the year 1914 new pensioners and
there were restored 1878 who had been
previously dropped, a total of A, 247
During the same period the losses
were 1888 by death and La by re-
marriage (widows), 1854 by legal limi-
tation (minors), 2,552 because of failure
to claim pension for three years and
1923 for other causes, an aggregate of
44,O93. The net gain over the previous
year was only 1914 and it may be now
safely assumed that the roll from this
time forth will show a marked and
steady diminution, unless congress
should enact still more liberal pro-
visions than are now upon the statute
books.
THE rate of mortality among pension
ers, particularly among those who served
during the war of the rebellion, is rap
idly increasing, the number reported de-
ceased during the year far exceeding
that of any corresponding period in the
history of the. bureau. The whole num-
Der of pensioners on the roll June 80,
1896, was 1878.
numbers over the year Immediately
preceding, the amount disbursed for
pensions was $13S, PA 61, a decrease of
1882, SIS, as compared with the pre-
vious year.
There were 495, 664 pension claims
pending at the close of the fiscal year
234, 1877 being applications for increases
made by persons now on the rolls.
Although last years estimate of
$40, 100000 for pensions was S1,79O, 900
more than was necessary for the past
fiscal year, the commissioner duplicates
that estimate for the next fiscal year.
stating that he believes the adjudica
ton of many cases will make the full
amount necessary. It is his intention
to push the settlement Of cases as rap
idly as possible. An estimate of ST.
22S, $50 is made for miscellaneous ex-
penSes."
The commissioner says the payment
by vouchers has worked satisfactorily
and opposes a return to personal pay
ments. Some difficulty is experienced
il the execution of vouchers IN Ger
many and the state department has
been requested to furnish the bureau
information as to what persons have
authority to administer oaths.
There are SOL United States pensioners
in Germany. Regarding the revision of
the pension list the commissioner says:
There is no foundation for the err
roneous impression that 1t is the inten-
ton still further to revise the lists, as
the purging of the rolls commenced in
1888 has been thoroughly accomplished.
1t ought to be understood however,
that there still exists the purpose to
maintain the pension roll as the ma
tons roll of honor"
Concerning prosecutions he says:
7 am glad to state that the rigorous
measures instituted by my predecessors
have apparently discouraged violators
of the pension laws and rendered the
business of procuring fraudulent pen
sions unsafe and Improbable"
Commissioner Murphy cOmmends the
work of the special examiners and says
that the additional force of $50 should
be continued He recommends the
fo1. tI7e Qualification of the pension laws