Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-02
CHANGES IN THE PENSION LAWS.
Secretary Hitchcock Makes Several
Hecommendnttonsin in His Report.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The annual re-
port of Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock
made public tonight, while summing up the
work in all the bureaus, is of special interest
by reason of it's statements regarding pen
sion policies. At the close of the fiscal year
there were 991.519 pensions, a decrease of
2,195 during the year. The average annual
value of all pensions was $13274. The Span
ish war will probably increase the pension
roll during the current fiscal year.
The secretary concurs in the recommenda-
tions for legislation providing that no pen
sion be granted to commence prior to the
date OF filing the claim; for an early revision
and codifcation of the pension laws as the
numerous amendatory laws and decisions
have made the system a labyrinth of laws
and legal opinions. Secretary Hitchcock
urges legislation to definitely construe the
act of June 27, 1890, relating to widows
pensions. Regarding this he says:
I'm order to more exactly define the words
means of support, I approve the recon-
mendation of the commissioner of pensions
that the act of June 27, 1890, be so amended
that a pensionable status be granted to
widows whose income, Independent of the
proceeds of their daily labor, is not in ex-
cess of $3.50 per annum."
The report also recommends legislative
authority for biennial examinations of pen
sioners; legislation prohibiting the payment
OF ANY compensation whatever to pension
attorneys and agents for any service in con-
nection with any claim ar proceeding under
the pension laws except such as may within
certain limits be fixed congress, be allowed
by the commissioner of pensions and be
paid from the pension money as now pro-
vided with respect to claim for pension,
and for the delivery free OF any part paid
letter or packet addressed to pension agen-
cieS."
Secretary Hitchcock makes public an ad-
vanced report of the Maritime Canal COM
pany of Nicaragua, dated December 4, next,
setting forth that since the organization of
the company, 10,145 shares of the capital
stock have been subscribed for at par,
amounting in the aggregate to the sum of
81 1,O14,500 of which amount $1,OOS. $50 has
been paid into the treasury in cash. that
there has been paid into the treasury from
other sources 1856. 1851, making total
amount of cash received Sl,164 ,606.51, The
company has paid for property, work and
labor done and materials furnished in the
execution of the work of construction of
the canal and in administration expenses the
sum OF 81, 1G1 20 in cash, 81 $3.50 shares of
the full capital stock of the company OF the
par value of $8,199,OOO, $l5OOOO of its first
mortgage bonds and its obligations for &c.
7O5 600 of the said first mortgage bonds 1t
has also issued 1901 900 shares of its capital
stock of the par value Of 5000 900 in pay
ment for conoessionary rights, privileges,
franchises and other property.
The liabilities OF the company consist OF
the amounts still due under the concessions
granted to the company Of the S67O5OOO of
bonds before mentioned the said bonds
being due to the aesignees of the Nicaragua
Canal Construction company for work and
labor done and materials furnished in the
execution Of the work of constructing the
interooeanic canal and of cash liabilities
outstanding unpaid to an amount not ex-
ceeding 100000
The assets Of the company consist of it's
unused capital stock, of the S5lS,5OO first
mortgage bonds and of the 2,i2O shares OF
capital stock received in liquidation as
the concessions, rights. privileges
and franchises which il now owns ana of
the plant equipment and other property in
Central America.
The congressional assertion of its right
to determine the line Of canal through Mic