The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-17
ARMY OF PENSIONERS GROWS.
The Rolls Are Lengthening the Years
Go Past.

The Rolls Are Lengthening as the Years
Go Past.
From the Washington Times.
II is not probable that thorough
idea of the cost to the government in
dollars and cents growing out of the
recent war with Spain and the present
struggle in the Philippines will fasten
itself upon the people of the country
for some time to come. When the
United States was drawing upon its
every resource more than a year ago,
getting ready for the anticipated strug-
gle with Spain, the expense of war was
discussed. but there were few who
viewed the subject in all its phases.
Little or no attention was paid to the
aftermath The question of pensioning
the men who in the ordinary course of
war would be disabled either by sick
ness or wounds, or the widows of the
soldiers who would be killed in battle
or die as the result of disease con-
tracted while in the service, was
scarcely touched upon. Yet in the
years to come this particular phase of
the short but sharp contest will pre-
sent itself with force to the statesmen
whose duty it will be to provide for the
current expenses of the government.
The experience of the pension bureau
has taught that the great majority of
men who have served in the various
wars of the country since the founda-
ton of the government have not filed
their claims for pensions until years
after the war in which they were en-
gagged had been brought to close.
AS a result of the war with Spain
there have been about 11,000 applica-
tions for pensions, either from the men
who We're incapacitated in the service
or by widows of men who died while
with their commands in camp or in
Go1 -f1rn
allowed, the greater number of them
being TO widows who are granted 81
a month.
Already the amount paid out in pen
sons as result Of the Spanish war
amounts to more than $1,000 year,
and when favorable action is taken on
the claims now pending this amount
will without doubt be increased into
the millions. There can be no doubt
that claims will continue to be re-
ceived at the pension bureau. Indeed
if past experience counts for anything
they have scarcely commenced. The
number of men killed in battle during
the war with Spain was 27s, while
Lass were wounded. These numbers
represent but very small portion of
the ones who are entitled to pensions.
The vast amount of sickness in the
various military camps in dlferent
parts of the country has made many
invalds for life, who have just
claim for support by the government.
There are thousands of others who
contracted diseases in the service
which. while they do not have the i'm
mediate effect of disabling the victim,
will in a few years result in perma-
nent disability and afford good grounds
for application for a pension. There
is no way of determining the exact
number of these cases, but it is
1an,- NV
| thousands
| The war in the Philippines promises
| to add thousands of names to the list
| of those eligible to receive government
| aid. The number of deaths in action
! is already considerable, and a greater
| number have died of wounds received.
| The unhealthful conditions under which
| the troops in the Philippines have ex-
| listed have been responsible for many
| deaths from sickness and for a still
greater number of partial or total dis
| abilities. From present Indications
| many more will be killed or wounded
| before the insurrection is crushed. The
| advent of the summer season in the
Philippines will no doubt prove some
| what disastrous to the American sol
| diers, who are accustomed to the north.
! ern and more temperate climate of the
| United States.
| The records of the pension office show
| that more than $2,25O, 0000 have beer
paid out in pensions resulting from the
| civil war. The cost of the active ope.
rations of that war--that Is, the cost o.
maintaining the various armies in the
| field-was somewhat more than $1,000.
| 100000. Thus far the pension money
| for the civil war has been more thar
twice that paid out for the cost of ac.
tual operations. Nor is the end in sight
The amount of pension money paid GU
during the fiscal year 1898 was 1000
900 more than that of the previous year
| There is every reason to believe that i
will be fully Is years before the amour
of money needed for the payment 0
pensions of the civil war will be ma
terially decreased and fully 30 year.
before the last claimant has passed
| away.