Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-09-07
THE PENSION ROLL.
Commissioner Evans Reports on the
Work Of His Bureau.
DELAY IN ADJUDICATION OF CLAIMS.
Declared to he the Fault Of Claimants OF
Their Attorneys-The Legislation
Ommended-Pensl0nL Laws
Literally Interpreted.

Literally Interpreted.
Washington, Sept. 1.-The annual re-
port of Col. II. Clay Evans, commits
sioner of pensions for the fiscal year
ended June 80, 1899, presents some very
interesting facts in connection with
the condition OF the pension roll and
the operations of the bureau. The
pension roll is made up of 1853, 45l sur
viving soldiers and 1871, AIS widows or
dependent relatives and 653 army
nurses. To them last year was PAID
$l31 ,617, 1851, being $649, 496 more than
ever before.
The average Of each class OF pension
ers is also higher. The cost of bureaus,
attorneys fees, etc.. brought the total
expended up to SlSS.555, o52, being 81
GA. 94s less than the appropriation.
Total number Of claims filed during
the year. 4s, 735;allowed, 81, O77;restored,
1914; total allowances, including in
creases, $685. Total claims pending
June 80 1898, 1886, O59; June 80, 1899,
All 39.
The total disbursements to pension
ers since 1866 were ST. 3S9, 9iO,974. Dur
ing the same period SIS, 400, 1856 went to
examining surgeons; Sl2 O92, IT'S to pen
sion agencies and $50, 1887, s2S for sal
aries and other expenses Of the pension
bureau.
The number Of pensioners residing
in foreign countries is 4,SO6 to whom is
paid $3.50, 3O9 Of this number 2, 1S9 re-
side in Canada, 415 in Ireland, sos in
Germany and S91 in England. There
are four surviving widows and seven
surviving daughters Of the revolution
airy war on the rolls. Hiram Cronk, of
northwestern New York, is the only
surviving pensioned soldier of the war
of 1872 He is 90 years Of age. The
number Of pensioned widows of the
war of 1919, is 1905. On account OF the
Indian wars 1865 soldiers and $500
widows are pensioned. For service in
the Mexican war there are enrolled
9,2O4 soldiers and S,l79 widows June
80, 1899, the total number Of pensioners
was 99l,5l9. being 2,195 less than on
the same date in 1885,
The commissioner GALES attention to
the fact that order 325, issued June Q,
1893, which provided for readjust-
nent of rates of pension previously
granted under the operations Of order
No. 1854. is still in force, but he states
that no revision of rates un der said Or
der have been made under his admins
tration.
During the year 1907, claims Of all
classes were rejected in the bureau. A
careful analysis of the causes of rejec-
ton of so many claims is given, show
ing that large percentage of rejec-
tions occur in claims in which addition
al allowance of some kind is claimed.
Legislation is suggested extending
the benefits of the act of June 81, 1890,
to persons who served in the confeder-
ate army and afterwards voluntarily
enlisted in the union army or navy
prior to January 1, 1865, and were hon
orably discharged.
The re-enactment of the law requir-
ing biennial examinations of pension
ers who have been recently discharged
from the service is recommended.
The act Of June 7, 1888, the report
says, holds out inducement and offers
premium to the vicious to file fraud
ulent claims carrying large sums as
arrearages. 1t is bad law that en-
courages crime and the government
has but little opportunity to disprove
a carefully prepared fraudulent claim
under this law.
Complaints have been made against
the bureau for the stoppage of the pen
sions of those who enlisted or accepted
commissions In the war with Spain.
These pensions ceased by operation Of
law and not by any order or instruc-
lions from the bureau. Up to this
date the number of re-enlistments Of
pensioners for services in the war with
Spain has been reported as IS Of the
navy, "A Of the regular army and So Of
the war of the rebellion.
Out Of 1891 cases in which action
has been taken by the department in
appeals from the action Of the bureau,
the bureau was reversed in 81 and
--shese were cases in which the
adverse action had peen taken oerore
April, 1897.
In his conclusion the commissioner
states that the pension laws are gen.
erous; that their Interpretation by the
department has always been liberal
and their administration by the bureau
officials has been and is now far more
liberal than the generous laws-always
giving the benefit of doubt in favor Of
the soldier.
- -
Allows Some Filipinos to Land.
WASHINGTON. Sent 1.-Commissione, |