Evening star., 1896-09-21
THE PENSION ROLL
Commissioner Murphys Report Of the Opera
tions of His Office.
The Roll Gradually Growing Smaller
Fewer Pension Frauds-Repnirs TO
the Big Roof Needed.

l.
sions, has submitted to Secretary Francis
his first annual report, which covers the
fiscal year ended June 80, 1896 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 44.2F. During the
same period the losses were 29,393 by death,
La by remarriage (widows), 1854 by legal
limitation (miuors), 2,552 because of fail
ure to claim pension for three years. and
1898 for other causes, an aggregate OF
44,093. The ret gain over the previous
year was only 154. and 1t may be now safely
assumed that the roll from this time forth
will show marked and steady diminution,
unless Congress should enact still more
liberal provisions than are now upon the
statute books. The rate of mortality
among our pensioners. particularly among
those who served during the war of the
rebellion, ls rapidly increasing. the num-
Der reported deceased during the year far
exceeding that Of any corresponding period
in the history of the bureau.
Not II Million.
The whole number of pensioners on the
roll June 80, 1896. was 970.61S. While the
rolls show a slight gain in numbers over
the year Immediately preceding. the amount
disbursed for pensions was $13S,214.I61, a.
decrease of 81 ,592, 575 as compared with the
previous year.
There were 495G64 pension claims pend
ing at the close of the fiscal year. G'4,33
being applications for increases made by
persons now on the rolls.
Although last years estimate of O,OO0-
900 for pensions was $1,IW.62O more than
was necessary for the past fiscal year the
commissioner duplicates that estimate for
the next fiscal year, stating that he be-
lieyes the adjudication of many cases will
make the full amount necessary. 1t Is his
int TO ha I.,ff ,G,f nf
as rapidly as possible. An estimate of
$l.22S,5sO is made for miscellaneous eX-
penses.
The Voucher Plan.
The commissioner says the payment by
vouchers has worked satisfactorily, and
opposes a return to personal payments.
Some difficulty has been experienced in
the execution of vouchers in Germany, and
the State Department has been requested
to furnish the bureau information as 20
what persons have authority to admin
lister caths. There are 6U1 United States
pensioners in Germany. Regarding the
revising of the pension list tee commits
sioner says:
There is no foundation for the erro-
neous impression that It is the intention
still further to revise the lists, as the purg-
ing of the rolls commen ced in 1893 has
been entirely accomplished. 1t ought to
be understood, however. that there still
exists the purpose to MAINTAIN the pension
TOli dS the nation S roll OF honor.
Concerning prosecutions he says: "Of-
tenders against the pension laws have
been SO vigorously prosecuted during the
past three years that the criminal work Of
the law division has been materially les
Sened.
Fraudulent Pensions.
Through the combined efforts Of the law
division and the special examination
division there has been refunded to the
tod j,,r;, h.
which s10,726 were recovered as the out
come of eight civil suits. During the year
s:'9 indictments were found. and there
We're 242 recommendations for prosecution
The number of convictions was 1j7 the
number of sentences 16U. and s. Offenders
custody.
Il am glad to state that the rigorous
measures instituted by my Predecessor
have apparently discouraged violators of
the pension laws and rendered the business
of procuring fraudulent pensions unsafe
and unprofitabe.'
Special Agents.
Commissioner Murphy commends the
work of the special examiners, and says
that the additional force of $50 should be
continued. The cost of this force during
the year was $i91,!s5S. He says the pen
sion building is at present Inadequate for
the work. and makes some suggestions
relative to improvements. He recoinmends
an increase of sl2 per month Cf pensions to
survivors of the Mexican war, and also
recommends pensions to widows and SOL
diers who died from causes originating in
the service prior to March !, 1861 He
recommends the passage of the bill pend
ing in Congress for the codi:ication of the
pension laws
Lenky Roof.
Commissioner Murphy calls attention
vigorously to the defective skylight roof on
the pension building and urges that it be
put in good condition once for all without
delay. There was All Appropriation of SIC. 900
available last year for repairing the build
ing. but the roof leaks in spite of all that
mas been done to 1t. He also asks that
electric light wires be placed throughout
the building. Every four years to light the
great court for inauguration ball it is nee
essary to tear up the floors and otherwise
deface and injure the building. Permanent
work. he thinks. would be cheaper in the
long run. Besides these things. the COM
missioner desires more room for his numer-
GUS force of clerks. He thinks the office Of
the United States railway commissioner
should be moved out of the building and
the rooms occupied by that official and his
subordinates given over to the pension tu-