The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-16
CAPT. J0E'S PENSION
PEN TO BE ON THE $72
LIST.
WAS RECOMMENDED FOR $50,
BUT SECURED WHAT ONLY GOES
TO MAN TOTALLY DISA-
BLEED.
THROUGH POLITICAL INFLUENCE,
At Least So Supposed, for the Exam
liners Decided He Was Not En-
titled to 1t MeritoriousIy.

At Least So Supposed, for the Exam
liners Decided He Was Not En-
titled to 1t MeritoriousIy.
Tho law regulating the issuance of
pensions provides that in cases OF total
disability, where the applicant needs
the constant attention Of a second per-
son, the applicant is entitled to $72 a
month Of the governments pension
funds. In view Of this fact the ap-
pearance Of Capt. Joe Burgers name
among the list of pensioners drawing
$72 a month caused no little comment
this week. In fact, the list generally
caused talk and some criticism, but
in no spot did 1t seem that the require
ments were so palpably ignored as IN
the case of Capt Burger. People in St
Paul have known that Capt. Burger
drew a pension and nobody begrudged
1t to him. The empty coat sleeve which
he carries has always commanded the
respect that 1t Is entitled to, and poo
pie considered it all right that the
captain should draw g pension in keep
ing with what his injuries called for.
And at that, it has never been suppos-
ed that ne would suffer want or incon-
Verience if he didn't get a pension. He
has held positions and filed them. He
has drawn S. q day or 50 for running
old Glory up the state house flag pole
during at least one session of the legis-
lature for ninety days. He has been
government storekeeper or held a posi-
ton in that office, and at no place in
the avenue has he seen the time that
he couldn't get out and help carry the
Second ward primaries for the Repub-
Hcans. He has certainly been about
the liveliest man totally disqualified
for any work and needing the constant
attention of an attendant" that St
Paul people have seen. But the Wash
ington record shows he is drawing 81
a month.
The disclosure was the topic of con-
VersatiOn, it is understood. last Wednes-
day at the regular meeting of the local
board of pension examiners, consisting
of DrS. Davis, Abbott, HCyt and Smith
Those present heard surprise, not to
say Indignation, expressed by the medi-
cal gentlemen over the fact that Capt
Burger has for some time been draw
ing, and still continues to draw, $72.
This was because Il former board had,
after a careful consideration of his
application, duly submitted, sent his
rating on to Washington as being in
the $50 month class. Some tall Ian
euage was INDUCED in to the effect
that it was rather awkward at times
for the doctors on the board, who have
unofficially seen Capt. Burger here and
there about the town, apparently in not
very helpless condition physically, to
have it thrown UP to them that many
mere meritOriOus cases for government
al assistance were allowed either to go
by the board, or else were put into the
very lowest ratings, as low as $12 per
month.
How the devil does 1t happen that
this man continues TO draw $72 Il
month" was the rather vigorous query
of one Of the medics. The members
feel that Capt. Burger is monthly get
ting Uncle Sans money, which should
go in part to some one else Some
years ago, when he was holding down
state job. he applied for an increase
in pension. Now there are three class
es: For total disa biiity to perform any
manual labor the figures are $50; where
a man is totally disqualified and needs
the attention or assistance of another
individual part of the time the amount
quireS the constant attention of a sec
oHd person all the time the maximum
is reached, and Capt. Burger gets $72
and yet he is active, gets over a good
deal of ground. and as heretofore stat
ed, is most energetic proposition at
a political meeting.
Just how Capt. Burger happens to be
drawing So is a question. The story
IS that after he was put in the $50
class. after being examined by Drs
Murphy, Hand and Abbott, the last
named gentleman acting for DR..
Charles Smith, then in Europe, Capt
Burger, through political influence,
went to Washington either at his own
behest or was sent for and a year
after the examination in st. Paul was
re-eXamined, and shortly after, his
name was printed on the list with S72
after i. The members of the board
were seen last night. but beyond smil-
ing at the situation. had little to say
regarding the matter. Capt. Burger
has a good friend in Albert Scheffer.
and another in ex-Congressman A. r.
kiefer. and the impression is that
Capt. Burger is under some obligation
to them for the securing of the in
crease.
The indignation of the examining
board is not the result of the failure
VI lueii IdLlIlSS 10 SUCK IN the burger
case. for the board was not made up
CT the same men, but is simply the
ort%rowth of the knowledge which has
come to them of several meritorious
cases which have been accorded scart
coas:deration--for all they know be-
cause the applicants lacked the neces-
sary political influence. That a de-
serving man frequently gets the worst
Of il is believed to be the case.
why, / knew an illustration" said
q gentleman last night, which may be
cited which will serve to show the un-
evennass Of it all. It happened to the
present board. An unfortunate chap
with one eye gone was examined, and
uDder the rating was recommended
for pension CT ST a month, accord
ing to the formal instructions. He had
a business, the loss of one of his eyes
interfering but slightly with it. The
man, after being examined, told the
board that he had lost his eye at the
age Of six, but with only one good eye
had enlisted served. and since the war
was in business for himself The next
day poor chap suffering from rheu-