The times., 1898-09-12
CORPORAL TANNER SPEAKS.
He Says the G. a. II. IL After H.
Clay Evans

Corporal James Tanner, who was
member of the committee which framed
the resolutions passed at the G. \. r. en-
campment censuring II. Clay Evans,
Commissioner of Pensions, has Just re-
turned from Cincinnati. He was seen last
night at his residence and asked regard
ing the report that the resolutions were
the work OF debarred pension attorneys
Corporal Tanner said: II was the only
pension attorney on the committee that
framed those resolutions. and was not
aware that 1 had been debarred. There
were two other gentlemen besides myself
on subcommittee to whom was re-
ferred all communications regarding pen
sions presented at the encampment. They
were Judge Biers. of Bridgeport. Conn,
and Judge Buckles. of Suisune, Cal.
After considering all the reports re-
ferred to us. we laid the least radical one
before the general committee on resolu-
tions, which was composed of about fifty
members. In that general committee
there were only two votes against the re-
port, one of which was cast by one of
Mr.. Evans's subordinates, q United
States pension agent.
when the report was finally sub
| mitted to the entire encampment it was
| considered by over six hundred delegates,
| and adopted with but the one objection.
"The feeling in the encampment against
| Commissioner Evans was very strong,
| and many harsh criticisms were uttered,
| continued Mr.. Tanner His adminiStra-
| ton of the Pension Off was cOntrasted
with that of his imm Hate predecessor,
| Dominic L Murphy, and the present in
| cumbent of the office would not have felt
hattered if he had heard the contrast.
| "One of the expressions that was pub
| Iicly uttered at the encampment against
| Commissioner Evans was that he could
have no sympathy with man who had
marched. bivouacked, and fought, for the
| reason that he had never marched, biv-
/ ouacked or fought
Mr. Evans has got the G.. \. r. after
him" declared Mr.. Tanner. with empha-
| sis land If he thinks he can brush this
| matter aside by calling it the work of a
| few debarred pension attorneys he is very
much mistaken.
| any plans TO follow up the resolution:
| with a demand for an investigation Mr.
| Tanner said that he did not know wna
| the plans were but said that he fel
| quite sure that the matter would no
| be dropped by the CT. A r. until il hat
done all in its power to secure an admin
| istration in the Pension Bureau that wa
not prejudiced against them.
II knew Mr.. Tanner concluded. 'wnel
| I went on that committee that if any de
finite action was taken the charge woul
at once be made that it was the worl
| of pension attorneys"
A prominent official in the Pension Blu
reau was asked if Mr.. Evans would asl
for an investigation of his department OF
account of the action taken by the G. A
r. He replied that it was not unlikel
| that such would be the course pursue
by the Commissioner as he felt that h
had nothing to fear from an investigatio
| of the most rigid character.
Mr.. Evans is man of strong con
| victions,' continued the official, ''and ha
been vigorous in his administration c
| the department but he is in heart
sympathy with the worthy pension claim
| ant