The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-04
REVISE PENSION LAVS.
Is the Recommendation of
Commissioner Evans.
STANDS UP IN DEFENSE
Of Special Commissioners
Seriously Charged.

Washington, Feb. S.Commissione rof
Pensions Evans was heard today by the
house committee on invalid pensions re-
lative to pension legislation. In view Of
recent hearings Of Grand Army delega-
tons and others interested in pensions,
the hearing attracted more than usual at
tention Mr.. Evans expressed the belief
that the time had come for revision OF
the pension laws The two general laws
had become complicated by so many de-
cisions and constructions that he believed
it to be essential to have a general re-
vision in order to get at the real mean
ing Of the law and the desires of con-
gress toward the pensioners He had
therefore recommended a commission to
revise the pension laws, and he believed
such a body could do its work and re-
port to congress by next December
Mr. Evans was asked as to charges
that had been made that some special
commissioners who investigated widows
claims asked insulting questions of these
widows. The commissioner vigorously
denied these charges. He read from the
regulations Of. Commissioners Black and
Tanner on the subject Of inquiries, and
bis own instructions, to examiners to
avoid any indiscretions. In connection
with a charge that improper questions
had been aske dan aged widow, Mr.. Ev
ans Rad the report Of the examiner,
denying the charge and declaring that
there was not a word of truth in it.
The commissioner said it was impossible
II frame any law without having had
some special cases arise which might
cause difficulty. He was asked why the
local medical boards told pensioners a
favorable report would be made, anr yet
favorable action did not follow at the
bureau. The commissioner explained that
the local boards are forbidden under the
rules from making known their findings.
But their members were human and nat
Ura7ly swayed to some extent by local
feeling. Moreover, he said the law itself
caused difficulty, by requiring not only
: medical diagnosis but a general esti-
mate or conclusion, and these did not
always agree.
Nj Evans spoke of the intelligence
and ability of those in charge OF this
work As to delays in appeal cases, he
said about 1900 were passed on last year,
and Of these only about 800 resulted in a
reversal of the original ruling. Some Of
the delay had been caused by the whole
sale appealing of cases on printed blanks.
Mr.. Evans expressed his personal advo-
cacy Of just and liberal pensions. He re-
marked also that, usually, there were ten
mistakes against the government to one
against the applicant, and the latter
was quick TO can attention to the mis-
take in his case.
There was absolutely no truth, the COM
missioner said, in the charge that Span
ieh war claims were being held up. as
he had given special instructions to adj
vance them.
The hearing brought out irnuch other
detailed information on the admintstra-
ton OF pension affairs. At its conclusion
the committee unanimously adopted
vote Of thanks to the commissioner, and
in acknowledging this Mr.. Evans said
ne was always glad to have the sun
light shed upon the workings Of the PEN
sion office"