The evening times., 1896-06-04

The first payment of pensioners here un-
der the new law approved March 23 last
governing the matter was begun this morn
ing. The result is considered very salts
factory in spite OF the MISUNDERSTANDING
that attendthe putting into operation of any
new law
1t is believed that great saving will be
effected for pensioners families, the police
court will be relieved OF unfortunate
wose worst fault is u love for drink, the
pensioners themselves will be better off,
and the work of the local peusion agency
will be greatly facilitated.
The only objection made is an additional
notarial fee in some cases, and this il is
shown is often more than made up by direct
saving in other directions. II is thought
tbeother proposed law, to appoint guardians
for pensioners, Who habitually fall victims
to snarp practices, may be passed to sup
plement this.
The old method Of drawing a pension by
persons living in the city and near enough
to 60 to the office at Fourth and r north
west, was to apply there for the voucher,
make the acknowledgement without pay
ment of any fee and receive the check for
the money.
There are about 5000 pensioners at this
point, and on the first day OF the quarters
payment from 1850 to 5000 OF them
would go to the pension agency to get
their checks. While the great majority of
pensioners are reputable, self-controlied
persons, there are in this great army a
number who fall easy victims to designing
men who want their money.
AS result every pension day saw gath
e;ed about the pension agency, like vultures,
q crowd of unscrupulous fellows ready to
seize upon the good natured and weak PEN
sioner, carry him off to some resort and
his, f~,
THE RESULT NEXT DAY.
Asa rule the pensioners would appear in
court next morning without money, charged
with drunkenness or some thing Of the kind,
to be sent down to the workhouse for thirty
to ninety days.
Judge Kimball of the Police court finally
took a lea ding part in movement remedy
this evil. A law was passed by Congress
under which the pensioncr is supplied with
his voucher at home. He prepares it and
on the day OF payment makes the proper
cath before notary. He then carries the
voucher to the reusi.n agency. if that is
convenient. or sends it by letter.
At the agency the routine is quickly fin
ished and the checks are promptly mailed
to the pensioners at their homes.
This saves them from running the gaunt-
let of the .sharperS' who have been used
to intercept them with their checks in
their pockets.
The check now goes to the residence first
and j I the pensioner has family it usually
falls first into his wife's hands, This gives
her chance to prevent the watchful, un-
scrupulous companions OF her husband from
wheedling the money away from him, and
enables her to provide for the family. 1t
also saves the veteran himself from the
company Of the men who have been accus-
toned to rob him.
Pension Agent 8. L. Wilson, sent out sew
eral days ago full Instructions how to pro
ceed under the new law. This accompanied
the voucher. and had with 1t a list OF all
the offices of notar aries in the District.
An important point in these instructions
related to identification for the purpose
of getting the checks cashed. In regard
to this. Mr.. Wilson says:
''As all pension checks will hereafter be