Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-03
M R. EVANS TALKS
He Discusses the Pension Question at
Length.
SOME CHARGES ARE DENIED
No Offensive Questions Asked by
Examiners.
RECOMMENDATIONS MADE

Commissioner Evans Of the pension bu-
reau appeared before the House committee
ON invalid pensions today to give his views
rpon a number of bills now pending before
that committee proposing. amendments to
the pension laws.
Mr.. Evans said tie time had arrived for
a revision OF the pension laws. There were
TWO principal laws under which the bureau
operates-the acts of 1862 and of 1890. There
we're so many decisions and constructions
of these statutes however. that it would be
in the interest Of the pensioners as well as
the government to have the law coditied-
To that end he had recommended the ap-
pcintment of commission. He thought
the work could lie performed by next De-
oember AMI submitted TO Congress at that
time for its sanction
This is not intended to disturb present
conditions" said Mr.. Evans. Il am wholly
against reputation"
No Offensive Questions.
At this point Mr.. briggs of the commit
Zee said that ex-Commissioner Tanner had
recently charged before the committee that
the special examiners of the pension bureau
were in the habit of putting offensive ques-
lions to widows who are applicants for
pensions or increases concerning their
chastity.
There is absolutely no truth in such a
statement" said Mr.. Evans. with emphasis
He then read the code of instructions which
was prepared by Commissioner Black in
1856 for examiners in dealing with certain
cases.
These instructions continued in force
during Mr. Tanners administration said
Mr. Evans He then read the instructions
which he had issued upon this point, and in
which the examiners ar. severely admon-
ished against any indiscreet questions or
manner. one Of his first acts upon enter
ing office to dismiss two examiners on
charges of discourteous conduct. and who
claimed that they had merely followed their
previous instructions.
Case of Commander Kay.
Mr.. briggs then recalled the case of
Commander Kay. who claimed that his
aged mother had been insulted by spe-
cial examiner.
Mr. Evans read letter from the exam
iner in question strenUously denying the
charge and stating that he had not ques-
TONED the lady. and Furthermore that his
conversation with Mr.. Kay. who was a
Comrade. by the way. was of most ami
cable and friendly character.
Mr.. Exams declared that all this talk
was but an echo of the investigation at the
C. A K. encampmrnt.
Mr.. Evans said the examiners were
charged never to question women as to
whether they had violated the act of 1882
unless they were VIGOROUSLY living in
adultery. and even then the investigation
n,uSt he conducted without raising COM
rIent or scandal
Mr. briggs said it had been charged
that the examiners had extensively ques-
toned the widows of high officers pen
stoned by special acts nf Congress.
That is absurd. said Mr. Evans Il have
no more jurisdiction over those cases than
! have over Ladies in heaven
Recommends Repeal of Act of June.
So.
Mr. Evans recommended repeating the act
Of June :. 1883, which antedates the pen
sioning OF widows.
That act - absolutely corrupt" said Mr..
Evans. Under its provisions the time OF
the bureau is absorbed. not for the good Of
the pensioner, but for the good Of the claim
agent" He showed how under the act a
claimant would get 81 ~ and the pension
agent 80 He explained at length the bad
working of the law. and cited a number Of
instances of evils which have grown out
o. il
Mr. Norton OF the committee asked why
local medical boards IN passing upon an
applicant would tell him he had a good
case. and yet when the case came to the
pension office it would be turned down.
Mr. Evans said that boards were proilib-
tied from telling the pensioner. in the first
place. their conclusions. Furt hermore. the
local boards would be likely to be influenced
Dy local surroundings sympathy for the
claimant yeIy often swaying their judg-
ment Questioned upon the character OF
the medical examiners in the pension office
Mr. Evans said they were capable and well
equipped They were medal of honor men
and army surgeons.
Question OF Appeals.
Touching the question of appeals in pen
sion cases, Mr.. Evans said that out of
1850 appeals last year only 800 had gone
against the bureau. One reason for the
congestion IN appeal cases was that pen
Sion attorneys sent out blanks, suggesting
appeals by the wholesale He thought that
as matter of fact ten mistakes were
made againIt the government where one
Was made AGAINST the soldier
He said there was no truth in the charge
that claims growing out of the SPANS h
var are being held up.
At the conclusion of the hearing the COM
nlttee gave a formal vote of thanks to
Commissioner Evans for his statement
L am always glad to have sunlight
thrown upon the administration of the
rension OFFICE said Mr.. Evans in acknowl-
edging the compliment paid him by the