The National tribune., 1898-11-17

F. n, Milwaukee, Wis.-Inasmuch as
| the basis of the ratings of invalid pen
| sion under the act Of June p, 1890, is sub
Stantially the same under the presen,
| Administration as it was under the last
Adm inistration, it is practically impOssi-
bic, in the great majority of cases of those
pensioners under the act of 1880 dropped
or reduced in the revision of the pen
SIOn-roll to secure the restoration of the
pension or former rate from the date the
pension was stopped or reduced. No
attorney and no individual subordinate
officer of the Government can overcome
what is fixed and settled by the existing
pension policy. If grievances of inmates
| OF the various branches of the National
Home do not command the attention of
the management when brought to notice,
it is impossible to say how redress may
be obtained. Invalid pension rat ngs I'M
der the old or general law are not af-
fected by the Hoke Smith-Lochren sys-
TEN still applied to the act of 1890, and
you can doubtless obtain a higher rating
on your dlsa bilitieS OF service origin under
the general law. If your general law claim
was flied in the Pension Bureau before
July ], 1850, the arrears will date back to
your discharge from the service. You
may prosecute as many claims as you
wish TO at one and the same time without
interfering with the drawing Of your pres
ent pension.
w, Skaneateles. N. Y.-lt depends upon
the character of the complaint entered
against pensioners title to his pen
sion, whether any official notice is taken
of the same or not. If the pensioner is
honestly entitled, it would not seem that
he need distress himself in the matter
unless he is invited by the Pension Blu
reau to answer the charge made.
j. *. NJ, Orange. n. What you
refer TO is the act of March 13, 1896, which
1af I<tn al.
filed under the pension laws. the death of
an enlisted man or officer shall be con
sIdered as sufficiently proved if satisfac-
tory evidence is produced establishing the
TACT OF the continued and unexplained abb
sence OF such enlisted man or officer
from his home and family for period of
seven years, during which period no in
telligence Of his existence shall have
been received. And any pension granted
under this act shall cease upon proof
that such officer or enlisted man is still
living"
j. r., Windsor, Mo.-The delays in
settlement of claims for increase on pen
stoned disability seems TO be very great in
very many instances. 1t is not surpriS-
ing that - months have elapsed since
your medical examination and you are
still waiting. 1t is to the interest of your
attorney to secure action as early as pos
sible, and he will doubtless do so.
D. L., bridgeport, Conn.-An attorney
may make a reasonable charge for his
services in the collection of reimburse
ment from the accrued pension of a de-
ceased pensioner for the benefit of the
person who bore or is responsible for the
expenses of last illness and burial. There
is no limit or other legal restriction.
w. E., Richmond, Ky.-If a pension
claim is allowed after the claimants
death, the attorneys fee is payable from
the pension money only in the event OF
there being an heir entitled to receive the
accrued pension. The fee is not payable,
because there is no one entitled to re-
ceive the pension.
j. NJ, Railway, N. J.-Your case cannot
be reconsidered by the Commissioner OF
Pensions while it is pending on appeal
before the Secretary of the Interior. II
you should file additional evidence with
the Commissioner, it would be considered
and a reopening Of the case and dismissal
of the appeal recommended If the evil