The evening times., 1899-03-10
REFORM IN PENSION LAWS.
Provisions to Check PnIpabIe Frauds
end kbuses

There is apparently a confused under
standing of the operations of the pension
law which was passed during the closing
hours OF the last session OF Congress. In
fact the Pension Bureau officials are not
yet satisfied as to how far they are limit
ed by the provisions OF tbs new law. The
object of the bill was To amend the old
law so as to give to the deserted wives of
pensioners half their pensions. and in cas-
es where there is no wife. but a minor child
whom the pensioner has deserted, TO pay
half the pension to the child.
In the report on the bill the House com
mittee pointed out the evil resulting from
the lack OF restrictions placed on pension
ers. who are permitted to desert their fam
ilies, enter soldiers homes and draw their
Pensions without contributing anything to
The support OF their families. who often
become public charges. Nothing was said
in the report, however, regarding --.e pro-
vision intended to prevent women marry
ing pensioners TO obtain pensions as their
widows. Many cases of this kind have
arisen, where women have married pen
sioners and Immediately deserted them,
waiting for them to die, when they put in
claims for widows pensions.
One case recently came to the attention
of the Pension Bureau where soldier of
the Indian wars, who served only from
October 26 1887. to April II, 1888, less than
six months, was pensiCned at the rate of
IS per month under the act of July %.
1892. He had married five wives, the last
one being but seventeen when she mar
rfed the veteran Of seyenty-siX. He died
a few months later and his wife now draws
| the pension. Should she live as long as
! he did she will be on the rolls in 1860
The purpose OF the Pension Bureau has
1 been TO stop these marriages. but il has
met with little success. The act provides
| that hereafter no pension shall be paid 10
! the widow OF soldier sailor. marine etc.
unless il was proved the marriage was con-
/ tracted before the passage of this act, or
unless the wife shall have lived with such
| person from the date OF the marriage 10
the date of his death. At first glance this
I would appear to bar from a pension any
wife whose marriage was contracted sub
sequent 10 the passage OF this act bat ne
last clause may limit such disbarment 10
those women who desert their husbands,
and permit those who live with their nus
bands from the time of marriaSe 20 the
/ time OF death 10 draw pension.
! Commissioner Evans has not had The law
construed, and admits ii is badly worded.
! He will obtain ruling Oh IL at once. In
either case. however, it is hoped it will Op-
I crate 10 prevent the marriage of helpless
. OLA HleH DE ueSlsniHS women. OF, az IedSt
! deprive these women of the pensions
which they expect 10 get. The provision
regarding widows does not apply to sol
diers Of the Spanish war or regulars now in
I service.
The Pension Bureau is investigating the
cases OF pensioners who enlisted Tor the
war with Spain. 4 man must be disabled "a
draw a pension, get number Of those on
the pension rolls went into active service
Whenever the department heard os such
men it dropped them from the rolls and
in some instances they voluntarily Ielin-
quished their pensions. 4 bill was intro
| duced at the last session directing the
commissioner TO restore these men 10 the
pension rolls. but il failed. Now these
soldiers are trying 10 convince the depart
ment that the recruiting officer was wrong
( when he declared them sound.