The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-18
has been and never can be successfully

has been and never can De successfully
disputed
FIRST and most numerous among those
who rise 70 3sEounce such views are the
pension claim agents OF course there are
hauorabls and honest men among them.
But, as class. they have robbed and RI
fed. and pfucked the soldiers 20 an extent
which entities the TO all the honors
Of sreshooters. BY their persistent pur-
suit OF veterans and their heirs ard their
aiiGring representations which have gen.
orally been Misrepresentation. these
agents have undoubtedly been RESPONSE
bic for half the pension roll. They have
profited TO the extent CT many millions v
fees, which. IN the main. have been exor-
hisant- During the past year. as the ag-
ures in the pension cffsce will show. they
have collected much more than half a
million dollars from the pensioners. not
counting the miner fees and expenses
charged to them. which bring the attor-
neys charges 70 the pensioners Of the
year well up toward the million mark.
veterans should know that there Is no
necessity whatever for employing claim
agents. Blanks can be had ar the pen
sion office covering all cases. and pension
agents and the special agents OF the Of
Ice in the field will give every informa-
ton. The body OF clerks here are experts.
and every case receives full and inIelIi-
sent examination. and each claimant re-
caives detailed information of the proof
required, and all without cost 10 the ap-
plicant. AL this applies TO worthy cases.
When case Is unworthy. or where a vet
eran does not know that he is disabled
OF course the services Of pension attor-
neys who make \ speciality of such cases
is imperative
The huge dimensions Of the pension roll
are largely due 70 the fact that the gov
errment let the preparation of cases 20
out or the hands of it's own force into
those of attorneys. II is one of the most
marked cases of the shepherd abandoning
the flock 10 wolves which the history of
any nation affords. 1t is not toe late TO
save veterans who have not yet been de-
voured. When the annual payments ct
all kinds 10 this class amounts to 81 no nso
year congress can do q kind act TO vet
Grams, their widows and orphans. by pro-
vfding that no fees shall be paid upon any
Claims for pensions filed hereafter.
The experience of congressman who
show the least disposition 20 restrict PEN
sion legislation uniformly discloses ,he
fact that the army of pension attorneys
at once proceed 10 raise a clamor. Their
talk. their letters. and their circulars
glow with the loftiest sentiments Of mock
patriotism. In their essence these dec
larations are 20 the effect that veterans
right to loot II. Before the apparent
storms which these performers raise.
many good resolutions touching pension
reforms vanish. But the time seems 20
have arrived when the pension situation
will command the attention which II de-
serves because restrictive measures are
both just and necessary.
1t is in the interest OF every deserving
pensioner and every self-respecting vet
eran that unworthy pensioners should lie
exposed. and the success of undeserving
applicants should be prevented. The sit
uation strongly appeals to the members
OF all patriotic societies for help. II the
spirit of ISL still lives, 1t should not he
difficult TO create sentiment among vet
Grams that unworthy pensioners cannot be
held TO be In good and regular standing.
The feeling among congressman Is that.
In the nature of the case. any proposition
for pension reform should emanate pre-
ferably from the Republican side. and,
more important still. from some nrom-
nent union veteran. If one of sufficient
courage car be found to lead.
II is regarded ms probable by those
whose Judgment in this matter should he
coed that unless revisionary or restrict
i've measures or both be soon adopted, the
pension list for the next year will reach
$50 GEO. 600. and that In three years II will
be Sic. h00.ooo III. V. BOYNTON.