The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-06-10

Hon Webster Davis, Second Assistant Secre-
tarv of the Interior, who took his place at the
Department on June 1, has special charge of Pen
sion Bureau matters, and makes the orders ana
decisions upon all cases on appeal where the
law and regulations under it are questioned
His views. therefore, and his disposition toward
the Union veteran become matters of vital
importance.
To the editor of this paper he remarked
Yesterday that naturally he did not wish to
crticise predecessor in Office. but he did want
it known that he was in sympathy with the
defenders of the flag, and the men who saved
the Nation. His father was soldier.
The Assistant Secretary said that so far as
the law went he would 60, and his constructions
of the law would be found not TO be made to
shut out the veteran, but to shut him in.
IL signs aud promises mean anything, we
feel perfectly justified in predicting that the
favorite practice under the Cleveland Admin
istration of devising ways how not to do it !"
will be reversed by the new Assistant Score
tary. We can promise one thing positively:
There will be no more dropping of names from
the pension roll without nearing.
At the Pension Bureau matters seem to be
working more smoothly ard Systematically
than they have for some time before Com
missioner Evans took effics. Tire work is done
with adj thoroughness and dispatch possible.
number of promotions transfers, and other
changes about the Bureau were made las. week,
the evident object being to put those clerks at
work for which they are best suited. There
were among the changes three reinstatements
of veterans, and veterans appear to be benefit
ted wherever it is practicable to do so.
Notwithstanding the announced policy of
Withholding a portion of this months certif-
Gates from actual issue, the work of adjudicating
cases goes steadily on. 1t is now believed that
there will be no deficiency this year. As for
the certificates they are being made ready
to send out. and about June 81 viii be mailed
so that there win be practically no delay. and
the new appropriation will take up the issue of
This month
The report of certificates issued for the week
ending May 90 shows
Army invalid, -: original, lob; increase
and addition $50; reissue, a /; restoration and
renewal, SO; duplicate, 3; accrued, 14l; total,
73l.
Army invalid TACT June %. 1907: Original.
$40; increase aud additional, Az: reissue, ~
restoration and renewal, SO; supplemental, 5;
duplieatc, 4; accrued. l39; total, l,l37.
Army widow. etc.. oriei nal, III: reissue. 3;
restoration and renewal, g.; dupfrcate, / /; ae-
crued 2, total. 1S5.
Army widew, etc Tact June q. 1sso,; origi.
nal. 444; reissue, a; restoration and renewal.
z; Supplemental, Z; duplicate. /; accraed z
total, 40.
Navy invalid: Increase, s.; reissue, L; &C.
crued. /; total s.
Navy invalid TACT jane q. 1890: Original,
z6; increase, "a; reissue 1 restoration and
renewal 4; accrued, g; total. so.
Navy widow. etc.: Original, l. Navy widow
(act June q. 1e90): Original, 10.
Widow 1879: Original, 2.
Indian wars--suryivere: Original, e; &c
crned, 2 Indian wars-widows: Original. 4.
Mexican War-survivors: Increase, IL; &C
cred, IL Mexican war-widows, IA
Totals: Original, 1907; increase and addi.
tional, 6l1; reissue, So; restoration and re-
newa, 129; supplemental. l2; duplicate, o;
accrued. 305. Grand total 2671.