The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-25
PRINT THE PENSION LIST.
OOMMISsIONER EVANS SAYS HE
Will URGE CONGREas TO no II

No Acknowledges THAT Frauds Exist ara
says That q Publication OF the Roll will
Aia IN DetectinE Thcm-Hs Declares his
Opposition te Arrearnges or Pensions.
WARRINGTON. Dec. 2I.-The following inter
view with Commissioner Evans Of tho Pension
Bureau 10 published in the Star this sfternoon:
The cry Of pension frauds has become so
common Of late that the people do not regard 1t
seriously nowadays. And 1t was for the ex-
press purpose OF proving the fallacy Of this
charge that I recommends to Congress-. and
win urge in a bill after the holidays, the %publica-
ton OF q complete list, showing each ponsioner,
bis address, disability, and amount OF pension
received; and this will do moro to stop this idle
chatter than anything this department can say.
The possibilities OF disabilities are great. and
every ono knows that a man apparently In the
beat Of health. attending to his daily duties,
may have o disability which entities him to o
pension. This ia hard for some people to see.
Perhaps II they had an X-ray apparatus with
them there would DO no difficulty. Well, tho
list would show what was the matter with such
men and why they received pensions. Then It
would give the reason why that woman or that
maj was being supported by the Government.
But, best Of all. II would bring to light tho
frauds which do exist. and We all know that
there are frauds. But I say, without fear Of
contradiction. that in no business enterprise
where so large an amount Of money 10 disbursed
are there 90 few mistaken, and 1t is because Of
the safeguards we throw about the ONCE that
this 10 possible.
Now about the cost OF publishing this pension
list. 1t may be that It will cost 100000. but
who can estimate what 1t will save the United
States in unearthing frauds. Applications are
received every day from all over the country
for Q list of the pensioners Of o certain county.
This 10 impossible to furnish. Why, the publi-
cation Of q complete pension list will stir up
neighborhoods ana set the gossips to work.
This. great pension list and the enormous
appropriations appear TO scare the people, and.
forth the number. Of applications awaiting
action, the calamity croaE TS talk Of bank;
OF the arguments advanced. For instance.
do, not approve of all the laws which
the filing 81 the application, I am opposed to
arrearages Of. pensions. Look at the case al
who had nevor been in this country. will receive
in back pension some $4,000 or $5. 700, because
h:F = Sonn feIld 5Sns aSo oo write rte o eSoat pension, know
nothing nothi5Ys Of the the f. grim i'm, war vsd,, which ,Sh, made a pensions aS
an saSiHSy this fis' SoSer Mfn; IS sought tS Soldiers heGW how how
the young man were pleaded with to enter the
ssrs Of n thsm III II th sSv sere SouP pddS%i os. II Z ii iIxS
how their wives or families would be
large bounties which were paid for soldiers, in
some instances as high as 81. 800 to each man
who would enlist. Oh, the. Government was
price. Now It is fulfilling its obligations and
carrying out its promises. The Government has
been most liberal, and while. as I have said.
some Of its laws have been, in my opinion. too
liberal, yet It demonstrates the respect and duty
We owe the Union soldiers.
"But to return to the publication Of the pen
sion list. Do you know that one of the news
papers in this city some time ago wanted the
nrfvilApe Of Duhliahfnp the entire list and fur.
nishing this department with 1900 bound COP
lest 1t does not seem TO me. II 1t cost SO much
to get this list in shape, n newspaper would un
dertake to publish it and be so generous with its
copies. Yes; I shall urge the publication of thit
list In a bill before Congress, and ! hope to con
vince the Congressman that 1t would be q good
thing for the SERVICE"