The National tribune., 1899-04-27
Spanish WAR PENSION LAWS.
Matters of Interest to Soldiers and Sailor
and Their Heirs.

Matters of Interest to Soldiers ana sailors
and Their Heirs.
A number of laws affecting the interests
of soldiers and sailors of the Spanish
American War and their heirs were passed
at the last session of Congress. The
Comptroller of the Treasury has also made
a number of decisions regarding men OF
this war The following are the most
important:
Not Paid from Company Formation
Company organizations whether lnde-
pendent or forming part OF regImental or
battalion organizations) that were not
paid by the United States from day on
which they had their names enrolled for
service in the Volunteer Army OF the
United States and joined for duty but
were paid only from date they assembled
at battalion, regimental or State rendez.
vous, or from date of muster into united
States service, are entitled to arrears or
pay from the date the company was
formed tAct OF July I, 1885,
United States Pay Denied Because OF
State Pay.-All volunteer organizations
that were paid by United States only from
date of muster into United States service,
because paid by State for period before
muster, are entitled to United States pay
from date of enrolment or rendezvous
without regard to alleged double pay
ment" thereby. tCOmptroller's decision OF
Jan. II, 1885, and act of July I, 1928:
State Pay Deducted.-All volunteer
organizations whose State pay for a period
before their muster into United StateS
service was deducted from their united
States pay, are entitled to have such
deduction refunded. tComptroiiel ue
cison of Jan. II, 1899.
Officers of Special and Immune Heel-
ments.-COmpany and reglmental coh
missioned officers of the SPECIAL or I'M .
mune regiments are entitled to arrears OF
pav from the time each organized COM
pany reported at rendezvous as com,
nanv for service. or lin case of regimentai
officers from the time the regiments were
mustered INTO service; Provided, that
such company and regimental cffcers
shall not be paid for period before they
personally reported for duty. (Act Oh
March 3, 1884,
enlisted men comprising the temporary
force of tile Navy are entitled 10 TWO
months extra pay if they served Deyond
the limits of the United States. either IN
foreign waters or cruising Oil the Cods. Vi
the United States; one months extra pay
if they served only within the ii,iii1s 1900 ~ \
the United States. tAct of March ), lSg9.)
Regulars Enlisted for the War.-tn
listed men of the Regular Army, enisted
for the war only, and who nave served
"honestly and faithfully" are ent'tied 10
two months extra pay, II they served
beyond the limits of the United States
one months extra pay if they served only
within the limits OF the united ota'eS'
(Act of March 3, 1897
AstOr Batterv.-Enlisted men OF the
AStOr Battery, if hOnorabiy dischdisee'
are entitled to two months extra pay.
tAct of March 3, 1S99.) Tho
Heirs of Deceased Volunteers.mcc me ne
legal heirs or representatives ol oit,1n,n ~,
and enlisted men OF the Volunteer army
who died or may hereafter die, IN the
service, are entitled to two months extra
nav if the soldier served beyond the limlts
of the United States, and one montn
extra pay il he served only witnin the
United States. fAct OF March ), 1919.
Reimbursement for Transportation ana
Burial Expenscs.-The following provision
in the general deficiency appropriation
bill, approved March 3, 1899, applles only
to cases arising before the date oil the act
and since Jan. |, 1898:
"That in al cases where an officer or
an enlisted man in either the Army,
Navy, Marine Corps OF the United States,
or Contract Surgeon or trained rutse IN
the employ of the Government has died
while on duty away from home since The
first day of January, 1898, ard the re
mains have been taken home ard buried
at the expense of the family or lrienGS OF
the deceased, the parties who pad the
cost of transportation and burying such
the United States by the Secretary oi the
Treasury. not to exceed what it would
have cost the United States to nave
the remains to their homes"
The following provision in the Army
appropriation law. approved March ., 1879,
applies TO future cases:
"Ihat in all cases where they would
have been lawful claims against the
Government, reimbursement may be
made of expenses heretofore or hereafter
incurred by individuals of burial and
of remains OF officers, IN
Guiding Acting Assistant Surgeons, not to
exceed what is now allowed in the cases
of officers, and for the reimbursement in
the cases of enlisted men of what is now
allowed in their cases, may be paid out of
the proper funds appropriated by this act,
and that the diSbursing officers shall be
credited with such reimbursement hereto
fore made"
No payment of money due will be made
in any instance to discharged person,
Or his heirs or representatives, unless
proper application is made.