The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-25
FOR RELIEF OF VICTIMS.
Prov visions of Bill Introduced by
Representative BoutelIe.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Representative
Boutelle of Maine, chairman of the House
committee on naval affairs. introduced a
bill late this afternoon providing for the re-
lief of the victims of the United States bat
tie ship Maine 1t follows generally the
lines of the Samoan disaster relief bill of
1880, and is the result of several days con-
ferences in committee and embodies the
views of the administration. Chairman
Boutelle had a conference with President
Mckinley to-day. at which he went over
with him the proposed legislation, and later
submitted the measure at an informal meet
ing of some of the committee. 1t win be
referred back to the committee Immediately,
acted on there and its passage by Congress
expedited. The first section of the bill
reads:
THAT to reimburse the survivors of the
officers and crew of the United States ship
Maine, destroyed by an explosion, for losses
incurred by them respectively, there shall
be paid to each Of said survivors sum
equal to the losses so sustained by them,
provided that the accounting officers shall
in all cases require a schedule and afi1davit
from each person making a claim, each
schedule to be approved by the secretary of
the navy, and reimbursement shall be made
for such articles of clothing, outfit and per-
sonal effects only as are of character ana
value and in quantity suitable and appro-
pirate to the rank or rating and duty of the
person by whom the claim is made. Pro-
yded, further, that in TO case shall the ag-
gregate sum allowed exceed the amount OF
twelve months sea pay OF the grade or
rating held by such person at the time the
losses were incurred"
Section provides that the widow, child
or children, and in case there be not such,
the parent or parents, and If there be no
parent, the brothers and sisters of the OFF,
GERS, enlisted men and others who were lost
in the destruction of said vessel, or VINO
have died within one year from date of dis
consequence
the destruction of said vessel, shall be ell
titled to and receive to wit: The relative,
in the order named, sum equal to twelve
months sea pay of the grade or rating of
each person deceased as aforesaid Pro-
vided that the legal representatives of the
deceased persons shall also be paid any ar
rears of pay due the deceased at the time
of their DEATH
Section reads: THAT the accounting of
ticers are hereby authorized to continue for
period of three months any allotments
which may have been made in favor of any
relatives of the degrees hereinbefore emu
merated, by any of the officers and men
attached TO the Maine who lost their lives
in or in consequence of the disaster TO
that vessel: provided. that the amount of
the allotments so continued shall be de-
Quoted from the amount of twelve months
sea pay allowed to such beneficiaries by
virtue of this act for their relief"
Section provides that the relief granted
by the provisions of the act shall be deemed
and taken to be full compensation, and
in satisfaction of amy and all claims what
soever ON account Of loss or death by the
destruction of the Maine on the part of the
beneficiaries designated, and the methods
of presenting and establishing claims be
fore prescribed shall be followed in lieu
of those prescribed Of the acts or parts
Of acts heretofore enacted relating to the
presentation of similar claims.
Section provides that no claim shall be
allowed under the provisions of this act
which shall not be presented within two
years after the date of its passage.
Section reads: THAT the secretary of
the navy be- and he is hereby authorized.
whenever in his discretion it may be deemed
practicable eXpedient to cause the
remains of all or any of those who per-
ished in consequence of such disaster, to
be removed TO the United States Cemetery
at Arlington; provided that the relatives of
any such deceased officers and others men
toned in this act who prefer that the re-
mains of such be taken to their homes
within the United States shall have such
privilege extended to them and the ex-
pense thereof shall be borne by the United
States and the sum of $4,000 or so much
thereof as may be necessary is hereby APP
propriated out of any money in the treasury
not otherwise appropriated to carry out the
provisions of this section"