The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-05-13
r,.,. !. ,on.,aerab,. talk around the Pension

There is considerable talk around the PENSION
Office as to the possible issuance OF an order oy
Comm issioner Evans, that will prohlblt pen
sioner. once having had his claim adJudlcated,
either favorably or unfavoraby, from hiing
papers for increase or reconsideration, within
one year from date of the action by the Office
The point here is that the work will be lessened
on this branch of cases SO that the force may
devote its energies to the adjudication OF
claims that have never been acted upon. 1T is
said that three-fourths of the pensioners nave
claims for increase continuously under consld-
Grafton by the Bureau. An application Tor IN
crease is filed as soon as & pension is granted.
Commissioner Evans is very anxious to ex-
pedite the work of the Office and be just and
beneficial to the largest number possible. lie
has not vet, however, Issued such an order.
Commissioner Evans speaking to Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE representative, SAID that
there were 900 original cases pending and
he wanted to give the applicants chance. he
had found some cases where the matter was
complete and the certificates had not been
issued, while the applicants were waiting In
poverty for the pensions rightinliy due them.
He had Immediately ordered steps taken 70
right these, He thought that those VINO
had been getting pensions rlght siohg' win
increases from time to time, mignI wait
bit until much of this work could he caught up
with, and other faithful soldiers couid DC re-
iieved from dire need in which they WERE
Commissioner Evans said he did not know just
what form an order would take, as he had not
fully considered the pros and cons OF the matter,
but he was determined TO do something. An
order covering the necessary points would be
in force only SO long as was necessary.
OBJECTIONS TO RESTRICTIVE ORDER.
A prominent pension attorney expressed his
views on this matter thus: If the talked
about order will be limited simply to the re-
strction of applicants from applying for in
crease within one year after an adjudication OF
their claims favorably unfavorably, objec-
tion to it which would arise would not be so
great as it would be il the right of q claimant,
whose claim has been rejected, to apply Tor
reconsideration were restricted. Some years
ago the Bureau undertook TO decline to con-
slider new application for increase within six
months after previous aoJuoication, out tue
rule was soon abandoned.
But whether the order az understood would
be feasible or not, it would probably be illegal,
and the Com m issioner might be compelled by
mandamus to receive and consider any prima.
facie case presented. There are great many
old law invalid cases that are in the admitted
files attached TO the new law allowance OF some
years ago. considerable number OF these are
terial evidence. They carry large arrears in
some instances, and the late Administration
knew it. These could be quickly disposed Of
Practically all the invalid cases allowed since
Nav 81 1893 under the act Of June "a, $780,
have been rated under the practice that will,
without doubt. be abandoned by the present
Administration, and the practice prevailing
under the Harrison Administration re-estab-
lished. This will entitle probably . majority
Of the invalid applications allowed under the
late Administration under the act Of June "a,
1890, to higher rating, and there should be
no rule or order promulgated that would inter-
fere with at least these pensioners applying for
an increase when the practice is altered. 1t
would, of course. depend upon the exact re-
quirements of the ruling whether strenuous
objections would be interposed; but j do not
see why there should not be q way to take the
original cases seriatm and dispose of them as
well as the increase cases"
roo MANY CALLS FOR STATUS.
One answer to the last observation would
seem TO be in the statement that the Commis-
sioner is eudeavoring TO employ his force on
work that is really progressive, and the doing
of which does not take the clerks from the
adjudication of cases. He hes numberless calls
from Senators, Representatives, and attorneys,
asking for the status of cases, that the work
entailed in going through the files and answer
ing them, he complains, takes away much time
that could be more effectively employed, and
would show quick results.
He said ne would be willing to take the
scolding" that might come from some on this
score, if he could be allowed the time and dis
position of his force so as to adjudicate claims,
in accordance with the means then at disposal
and in many instances relieve those who had
never received any attention.
Commissioner Evans finds that he has not
enough room for the files. They occupy great
deal of room, and he is casting about to make
some changes so as 10 secure more space Be-
sides this, being methodical man, be has
made several successful efforts towards better
discipline, and has also passed minor orders
causing prelim nary work to be more expedi-
tiously done, and with less red tape.
Capt. Charles w. Filler, of Connecticut. a Diyi.
sion Chief under the Harrison Administration.
was last week appointed Chief of the Army
snd Navy Survivors Division of the Pension
Bureau, and VIM. Wilson. of New York, ap-
pointed Assistant Chief The Law Division of
the Bureau has been largely broken up, SO out
Of the force of T5 being detailed 70 other
Divisions. This abolishes the fee section "
and does away with the great volume OF mis-
cellaneons work, which will now be done by
the Record Division. The Board Of Review
and the Adjudicating Divisions hereafter will
pass ON the status Of attorneys, the chief func.
sions q the Law Division now remaining being
criminal prosecutions and marriages and
divorces