The age-herald., 1899-09-15
PENSION AGENTS ACCOUNTS.

PENSION AGENTS ACCOUNTS.
 From the Washington Star. -~
 The annual report of MT. William Young blood, auditor for the interior department, has been made to Secretary Gage. It shows that the work of the office is well up.
 The number of claims received during the year was 25,203. The number settled was 25.235. showing that some of the claims which came over from the year before were also settled The money involved in the years settlements was $l73 501 GOO, consd- erably more than for the fiscal year 1898.
 To the -pension division of MT. Young bloods office is assigned the examination and settlement of the accounts of the United States pension agents for disburse- ments to pensioners etc., and the adjust ment of all matters relating to payments from the pension funds. For the proper performance of this work it is necessary to keep an account with each pensioner, and to see that the amount due in each case, from the time when the certificate issues and the pensioners name is placed upon the rolls until such pension terminates by vouchers and receipts therefor are fur nished. These accounts are kept in 3SS large roll books (current series), and the proper adjustments of the payments made neoesssitates the examination and eompu- tation of nearly 4,0c0 GOO vouchers per an- mum and the entry on the rolls of the payment made in each case; the determi- nation of the correctness of such payments requiring in many cases references to for ,nli ,Ch These records must be accurately kept in order to answer inquiries and calls for in forma ton as to payments that have been made in any given case since the estab- lishment of the government, for use by the commissioner of pensions pension agents and others. They are the only complete rolls of United States pensioners in exist ence and are an index to the many millions of vouchers file in this office. The di- vision also examines and settles all claims against the pension funds not payable by United States pension agents such as re- inducements on account of exper.es of last sickness and burial of pensioners; amounts of lost, reclaimed and unindorsed pension checks refunded attorneys fees and all matters payable from pension ap- propriations other than those for current fiscal years.
 MT. Youngblood says:
 Many of the roll books now in use in the pension division, on which payments to pensioners are noted. are nearly filled; some of 'ihem entirely so, while others may last from one to four years. Such books are generally used for period lasting from seven to ten years-accordinS to the size of the agency and r=le number of and rapidity with which new names are placed thereon.
 '"lae work of preparing a full series of new roll books must be begun at once. This work while it can and must be grad uany performed, is entirely in addition to the current work of the office, and will re- quire the services of at least ten clerks for several years to come Some provision must be made for carrying 1t on without materially delaying the Current work of the division, which for many reasons should not be permis red to get in arrears. The ac- counts of the pension agents, involving such vast sums of money should be aud tied at f'ne earliest practicable moment. At present as for several years past their examination is begun almost immediately upon their receipt at this office, and the agents given immediate notice of the dis covery of any errors of oyerpayments, so that they may at once take proper steps to recover any sums enormously paid
 '"lhe present condition of the work in the pension division, indeed in all the di- visions, is very gratifying and reflects great credt upon those clerks who are in charge of 4'he various branches of the work and the entire force employed under their di- rection.'
 The report shows that only $1s3.33 was paid during the year to survivors of the war of 1872 while widows of survivors re- ceived s293097. To survivors of the Mex ican war was paid $1 ,107 ,594. and to widows $sls067. Survivors of the Indian wars re- ceved $165,327, and widows $i03, ,S7l.