The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-01
PENSION LIST DWINDLES.
4 DECREASE OF 2.IO5 NAMES IN THE
FEAR ENDING JUNE 30.

Balance of 81 600 900 Left of the 41iO,-
100000 Appropriation-Elsve Revolu-
tionary War Pensioners on tho Rolls
Revision of tho Laws Recommended.
WARRINGTON. Aug, 31.-The annual report
ofthe Commissioner Of Pensions. H Clay Evans.
for the fiscal year ended June 30 last, shows a
decrease OF 2. 1915 names on the pension roll as
compared with the same date last year. Tho
total number OF pensioners on Juno 80 was
9o1.5l0. made up OF 1884 surviving soldiers.
231.415 widows and dependent relatives and
G53 army nurses During tho year there wore
added to the rolls the names OF 40.491 pension
ers. and 43.1S8 names were dropped. 34.345
by reason OF death. The disbursements for
the year aggregated $13S. 355. O52. leaving a
balance in the Treasury OF 81 .044.94S out Of
tho $l40.000.000 appropriated by Congress-.
Since 1856 the total disbursements to army
and navy pensioners have been 81. $50. Oh 1914
and the expenses of tho Bureau have been
S79.S20 800
The report shows that there are now on the
rolls the names OF IL surviving widows and
daughters OF Revolutionary soldiers. 1 sur
vivor and 1898 widows Of the war Of 1872;
1.65BsurvivinE soldiers and 3. 800 widows based
upon service in the Indian wars: 0.204 sur
viving soldiers and S.l75 widows OF soldiers
who served in the war with Mexico. and 303
claims have been allowed on account OF service
in the war with Spain. Tho average amount
paid to each :pensioner during tho year was
S132.74. which was slight increase in value
over the previous year.
At the close Of the year the number Of
claims Of all classes pending was All. 23o. Of
which 305,042 were for an increase in rate
This was an increase OF 1890 claims COM
pared with the previous year. The number OF
| claims based upon service in the war with
SpaiD nIaT during ho I
The Commissioner says the work OF the
bureau on original claims is practically cur
rent owing to the order issued giving that class
preference over claims for increase. Under the
act OF last Congress. providing that one half OF
the soldiers pension shall be paid to his vito
or minor children in case OF abandonment
and other specified conditions. 1.137 claims
have been filed. This law says the Commits
sioner. will afford considerable relief to a very
| deserving class Of people. In order that the
present mpleX system Of pensioning may be
simplined and to secure a moro uniform prac-
tice in the future the Commissioner recon-
mends the appointment Of a commission on
the revision of the pension laws. rules and reg
ulations. He also recommends regulations be
adopted requiring strict accountability OF the
guardian OF minor children and insane pom
sioners. in order that the pension money may
be used for the benefit Of the latter.
Payments are now made to about $4,000
guardians and in many cases they mako no re-
port upon their trusts. He also recommends
the granting OF pensions to soldiers who served
in the Confederate Army. afterward voluntarily
enlistng in the Union Army for duty and honor
ably discharged. The re-enactment OF the law
requiring biennial examinations OF pensioners
recently discharged from the service. he says
would be wise. there being no way in which tine
recovery OF pensioner from the pension causes
can be determined.