The National tribune., 1899-09-07
unions and State Encampments. most
bitterly condemning the present administra-
ton of the Pension Office

unions and State Encampments: mos
| bitterly condemning the present admlnStra
tion of the Pension Office.
The causes which have led up to this
most unfortunate condition of affairs ap
pear principally to have their origin in Ger
tain rulings, constructions and interpreta
tions of existing pension laws dating back
some years. 1t is urged that certain ol
these rulings, constructions and interpreta
tionS of the existing laws are not in full
| harmony with the intentS and purposes Oi
those who created and passed the laws. II
Is asserted that they are not fair, liberia
and Just construction of the laws, and that
in consequence of which a grave injustice
has been and is being meted out to the OLD
soldier and his dependent ones. 1t is alsc
| claimed that there is much delay in ad
| Judication of claims.
| This feelil g has existed for some years
and has steadily grown and gained strength
each year. Ii had reached such point al
| the meeting of the last National Encamp
ment that 1t was deemed advisable to pass
a series of resolutions expressive of the
sentiment of the membership of our Order
upon the question During the past yea1
this feeling has been intensified, outspokel
and bitter.
Large numbers. of letters have been re.
ceived at Headquarters from comrades in
different departments, touching and pa.
thetic in the recital of their distressed con-
dItons, circumstances and bitter disap-
pointmeEts i'll not receiving what they he
lIeYed, under the laws, was justly and fairly
due them, and which in so many instances
was sorely Eeeded 10 relieve distress and
want. They sincerely believe a grateful
people, through IFS generous Government,
have literally provided, as reward for
faithful service rendered. that which would
be a source of relief in their declining years,
when the effects of the severe hardships,
exposures and endurance they have eX-
pereuced and willingly suffered in their
country, would render them unable physic-
ally to provide for themselves and families.
In view OF the prevailing discomfort that
reached me from so many different parts of
the country. and the gravity of the stu
alton as presented, / gave the question
much consideration, and after a correspond
ence with the Chairman of the Pension
Committee, decided that it would be wise to
have the Pension Committee of the IA. R.
meet in Washington, for the purpose of Sc
curing information, aScertainlng as far as
possible the grounds of the complaints con-
tanned in the hundreds of letters fled with
the Committee, and such other Knowledge
as could thus be secured that would enable
the Committee to prepare and present 4,
this Ercampment a complete report, based
upon facts and conditions as they found
them to exist. Accordingly, ! directed
meeting of the Pension Committee, to con-
vene in Washington on July IL, II and 13,
the results of which meeting will be pre-
sented in the report TO the Encampment by
the Committee.
/ desire to state in commendation of the
splendid, untiring. efficient services rem
dered by your Pension Committee. that they
have conEcientiously, faithfully and Judici-
ouSly performed their duties, and, | am
sure, after the Encampment has listened TO
the report OF the Committee, it will he well
advised upon this most important question
and prepared to act irtelligently and wisely
in the matter.
THE COMMISSIONER REPORT.
The following is a statement taken from
the annual report of the Commissioner of
Pensions for the fiscal year ending June 80.
1899: .......
Filed and allowed under general laws, as
follows:
Filed. Allowed.
Original Invalid. 1.412 1924
Original Widows,
etc ;. ......:i; 6,1S4 4,246
SPAN lG'sS6 295
Totals under
general laws. 24,582 S,165
Field and allowed under the act OF June
q, 1890:
Filed. Allowed
Original invalid .. $500 2O,641
Original widows, etc.. 1886 12,1S5
Total act 'so.. .,.;..... 21,705 32,s26
Increases general laws. 81, $50 %, 46O
Increases actJbne II, +5'' b. =.
1890 ~! ...,... 31,17O, 25,6O3
Total increases 49,. 66.1O0 4S,O63
Making a grand total as follows:
Total number filed un-
der general laws, act
June 27, 1890, and in
creases. s........ III, 1887
Total number allowed un-.
der general laws, act
June 81. 1890, and in
creaSeS S9,O54
Total disailowed for fiscal
year ending June so,
| 1889 ............--. 22,33t
Total number of PEN
sioners June 80, 1898 993,714
Total number of PEN
sioners June 30. 1899. 991 SIS
Decrease for year. 2,195
Dropped during fiscal
year by death. 34,34;
Dropped during fiscal
| year bs
minors, failure to claim,
and other causes. 49,. 8,84l
Total dropped during fis-
cal year r........ 43,1St
Amount OF pension appro-
priation. ....... s14O, O,Oo0,O 900 o.
| Amount OF pension paid
during fiscal gear. 138, ,253, ,922 g.
Balance unexpended ..... s1,746, OFT o.
The old soldiers ask only that there b
fair dealing and a just and fair construction
Of the laws as intended by those who enact
ed them, and upon this basis there shoul'
be no question, no Interpretation or con
struction of the laws that deprives then
Of the benefits thus provided. The amoun
paid for pensions is large, but not beyon
the ability of the Government to pay, no
does it outreach the obligation or gratitud
Of the American people TO those To whom
is paid. 1t should be remembered tina
/ the pension list contains many who ar
not claimants from the civil war, 1876
but includes all classes of pensions froI
the War of 1912 down TO the present time.
ICAN NOT BELIEVE
that the good, loyal people of this countr
; are so anxious for a reduction in the pei
sion list and the amount paid out for per
, sions, that they would insist upon il
: being done in manner that would b
unjust or unfair to its defenders. TIL
| cry of great numbers of frauds upon tn
pension rolls" ] believe has well nigh G,
: the effort to establish that charge wa
l l,r foi1 + fha