Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-07
ASKED TO LIMIT CALLS,
Pension Commissioner Evans Cfrcu.
lar Letter to Members Of COngress.


lar Letter to Members of Congress.
A circular letter has been sent to senator's
and representatives by the commissioner
Of pensions, requesting that they limit as
far possible their calls for the status Of
pension claims. This letter follows:
Dear Sir: 1 ask your cooperation in the
interest Of this bureau, and in the interest
Of the old soldier to correct minimize or
reduce what 1 am constrained to believe is
a growing abuse Of privilege, and that is
the so-called congressional calls
"TheSe are now being made at the rate Of
a thousand to fifteen hundred per day, and
/ am safe in saying that at least two hun
dred clerks in this bureau have been EN-
ployed continuously in replying to calls for
status Of claims since l have taken charge,
and, in addition to the congressional calls,
the claimants and their attorneys call up
these same claims.
Now, / am DESTROYS of meeting your de-
mandS upon the bureau for any and all in
formation promptly, but daily 1 find many
claims are called up that have been adjudi-
Gated weeks and months prior to the cali;
others are repeatedly called up after the
claimants have been advised what is neces-
sary to complete their claims, and no atten-
ton is paid to the requests of this bureau.
Those in charge Of some of the adjudicating
divisions advise me that the demands are
so great that they are compelled to suspend
the adjudication of claims in some of the
sections of their divisions in order TO an
Swer status calls.
when l took charge of this bureau the
congressional slip for status required
certificate that the claimant was bona
tde resident of the members district, and
that the call was not made at the request
Of an attorney. These conditions were
stricken out. l have been forced to replace
them, for the reason that many fif-
teen congressman have been found to be
calling up the same claim
haf
sary work retards and delays the legitimate
business Of this bureau, namely, the careful
adjudication Of pension claims.
You are, therefore, very respectfully, but
very earnestly, requested to refrain from
calling up claims for pension attorneys.
This office in the past has discovered the
use of the congressional privilege being ex-
tended to attorneys, who have the most
generous and liberal conditions shown to
them here in the bureau, with experienced
men to wait on their personal calls. and
experienced clerks detailed to answer their
written calls.
as a claim for increase is filed, before 4
medical examination is had or any evidence
is taken, to begin to call for the status of
the claim.
limit their calls to their respective districts,
as their calls from other districts will not
be answered.
After January l. 1893, no increase claim
that has been adjudicated within one year
will receive any further consideration until
at least twelve months have elapsed since
the adjudication. There are now 64S,0O0
pending claims in this bureau.
Il have the honor to further request that
in filing call slips you give the service of
the soldier Company and reeimenD, as well
as number of the claim. This will save
much time in finding the claim.
With your cooperation along the lines
suggested, better work and more of it can
be done by this bureau.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
III. CLAY EVANS,
commissioner"