Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-27
4 VETERANS VIEW.
Comment ON the Discussion Concern
ing Alleged Fraudulent Pensions.

Ing Alleged Fra uduIent Pensions
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
There has been good deal of talk CT late
concerning fraudulent pensions and. as the
discussion has been participated in by quite
a number of persons, who either We're not
born at the time of the last war, or were
too young at that time to take part in the
struggle, or who had no desire to expose
their precious bodies, even though they
knew the life of the country was at stake
it may not be out of place for a volunteer
of 1861 to make few remarks through
your columns. provided you are willing to
hear both sides.
The howl now INDUCED in, as l under
stand 1t, is because there are a number of
persons, hundreds, maybe thousands, or,
judging from the frantic actions of the
howlers, possibly millions, who are receiv-
Ing pensions to which they are not entitled.
me newspapers are appealed to for help,
and foolish, not to say untruthful, yarns
are spun by temporarily prominent men on
the subject of the loss to the government
through the awful extravaganza in paying
IS per month to old men and women. who
are not in danger of starvation. for serv-
ices rendered years ago. when the Presi-
dent and the Congress appealed for help to
save the country. Now, a plain question
may be in order, and that is what is the
pension bureau for If not to investigate
pension claims?
AS body the pensioners say to the Con-
gress, to the commissioner and to the news
papers, that they hold their pensions for
wounds received or disability incurred in
line Of duty. They value the fact that they
are on the rolls evidence of their patriot
ism at time when to be a Union man
meant something. and they are of opinion
that II is a piece of impotence for any
man, high or low, to ask whether or not
they now need their pensions The old SOL
ders have no fear that members or sena-
tors from loyal states will be fools enough
to attempt economy a the expense of the
pension roll and they want 1t understood
that they beg for nothing, but simpy de-
mand the rights given them under existing
laws, and they look to their senators and
representatives for such action as may be
required to protect the pension roll from
being reduced by small politicians, who, for
brief periods. hold positions which they do
not fill. If the pension office allows fraud
ulent pensioners on the rolls it is time to
change the management of that office. AS
to publishing the rolls, all necessary in
formation is available now all over the
country but If the rolls are published it
should be done in the newspapers agitating
the subject and without paying for the
required space, the object sought APP
pears on the surface to be to economize
and perhaps to elevate the economists. No
doubt there is but little use for the old
soldiers now, but go slow, gentlemen. or
you may find a hornets nest nearer than
you think. Just remember you are not
dealing with tramps, but with men who
quietly but sqIarely meet you and dare
you modify single rule or law made for
the protection of the men who in 1S61-'65
weht to the front. A VETERAN.