The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-10
Cases of Union Veterans Now
Demand Attention.
JUSTICE WILL BE DONE THEM.
Lochren'. order Is Already Under
Consideration by Pension Conn
missioner Evans-Thousands of
Pensioners Interestsd--Ncw Adj
ministration VIII Change Cleve-
lands Policy. and VIII Restore
the Soldiers 20 Their Original
Ratings.


WASHINGTON. April "A very Inn
porsant matter which the new commits
sioner Of pensions has 20 decide upon az
the very outset OF his career is whether
or not the policy adopted by the pension
bureau under Commissioner Lochrea viii
be reversed. Thousands az old pensioners
throughout the country. OF whom 30 or
30 are located In the state OF WASHINGTON.
had their pensions reduced in many cases
as much as from sl2 70 S.. and apparently
by the most arbitrary kind OF ruling
IL was said az the time that this rollcy
was dictated by President Cleveland him-
self. and no contradiction to that state
ment has ever appeared. The purpose Is
said to have been to make a reduction IN
the total amount Of appropriations for
pensions. and such annual reduction OF
nearly sie.W0.00 was actually brought
about. In almost every case the reduction
was IN the pension Of a soldier whose case
had been adiudscatea under tho Harrison
administration. The pensions had been
granted by the Republican commissioner
according 20 the facts reported hy Repub-
hcan examiners. When Mr. Cleveland he
came president there We're no civil service
rules extended over the pension bureau 20
prevent changes and removals. and tho
result was that after about two years OF
Democratic administration the positions
Of principal examiners in the bureau and
the pension examining boards al over tho
United States had been pretty well filled
up by Democratic apposntees. These re-
placed the Republicans, who had been
friendly TO the old soldier and had
awarded pensions TO the fun limit TO
which they were entitled by the disability
from which they were suffering.
Then came Commissioners l.ochrens re-
markable order. Although thousands
upon thousands OF new cases were on file
In the department awaiting adjudication.
he laid these aside and set his examiners
in every division at work going over the
papers In the cases which had been adiu-
dicated by the Republican examiners OF
the preceding administration. ITS instrue-
tlons were that Whenever the evidence on
tile -sd not show fully and completely a
degree Of disability commensurate with
the pension allowed. Tho pension should
Toe reduced. The unfairncss of this was
in the fact that verbal reports OF exam
iners were thus overrailed. Only thirty
days notice was given 20 old soldiers that
this action was gong TO be taken. and
they were told that IL they did not imme-
diateiy furnish proofs that they were en-
titied 10 the rating which they had en-
joyed. I'm some eases for several years,
their pension would be reduced without
further notice. This came like a thunder
clap TO the old veterans. and many OF
them couia not Understand how IL was
possible that what they regarded aa n
vested right could be thus taken away by
a great government after ~ had once been
granted, when not even a suggestion OF
frauI was claimeS. N most cases the
peDsIoner did not know what tney were
expected 10 do, and did nothing. In the
cases of those residing I'm the state of
Washington the thirty days notice gave
them no time 10 prepare afiidavits and
have them returned here by mail, even
II they had known just what was neces-
sary 10 do in order 20 save their pensions.
After the reduction had been made
Commissioners Locaren refused absolutely
10 allow any rehearing In these cases.
and the only recourse left TO reduced
pensioners was 10 file an application for
an increase of pension. which. Of course.
went at the foot OF the list. and In many
cases these applications for increase have
not yet been reached by the clerks In the
pension bureau.
Commissioner n. Clay Evans is already
being importuned by Republican congress-
men 70 undo what Commissioner Loch-
ren did. and without further testimony to
restore the reduced pensioners 10 their
original rating T'he question what shall
be done with regard "a this matter. viii
probably b~ referred TO the president him
self for a decision. In the meantime IL
Is being urged that these applications for
increase on the part Of soldiers who have
been reduced by the pension bureau shall
have precedence in consideration over all
other claims, as a matter or justice and
right. A, n. SLAIEON.
Veterans Not Forgotten.
WASHINGTON. April 9~Associated
press.-Secretary bliss is carrying out tho
policy OF the administration I'm restoring
10 the classified government service old
war veterans who are held 20 have been
Improperly removed from office by the
iast administration. Today he reinstated
Capt. Henry g. Potter, Of Ohio. 90 his Old
position as chief Of the mineral division
of the lard office, and Capt. George Rcd
way. of California as CHEF of the ar-