The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-04
CODE OF PENSION AN
Bill in Congress 10 Effect Il
by a Commission.
ONE LAW, ONE MEANING
And Red Tape be Hanged
Two important Changes.
ONE LAW, ONE MEANING

Especial Correspondents OF the Eagle)
Washington. Jan. s.-Fron present indi-
cations law will be passed by the pres
ent congress which will render it impos-
sible for different kinds OF commissioners
of pensions 70 interpret the pension laws
in accordance with individual views In
other words. it will be arranged so that
but one Interpretation can be placed on
any pension law. bill to this end has
passed the senate and is now in the house.
It passed the senate by very large ma
jorfty. 1t provides for the creation OF
commission OF five persons. one OF whom.
at least. must be a member OF the G. A.
r. The duties of this commission shall
be to revise the pension laws OF The
country and make them susceptible OF
but one meaning. The revision Is to be
subject to approval by congress.
This bin is the result or the requests
of the G. A. r.. largely. This organizs-
ton desired to have some remedy for the
existing state of affairs. The committee
of pensions Of the senate held meetings
70 attempt to solve the question. Prom
inent G. A. r. men appeared before the
committee. One OF their number. George
H. Patrick. in testifyiag before the COM
mittee OF pensions Of the senate. says:
THE committee presented to the presi-
dent, to the department OF the interior
and to the pension office but two changes
One was the matter Of grouping or as
sembling or aggregating (whatever it
may be termed) different disabilities
small in themselves, so as to make up a
total sufficient to entitle the applicant TO
a pension. The other change suggested
was as to the amount OF income which
would bar a widow from receiving a PEN
sion, both under the act OF June q, 1890
No complaint was made by US respecting
any other statute nor it's administration"
On the matter of revision of the pen
sion laws, Mr. Patterson has this to say:
at has been a subject of considerable
discussion for some years. and 1 think
that it is the general sentiment Of the
members Of the Grand Army. that the
time has arrived when. in consequence
of the increasing years of the survivors
of the war the pension laws should be
definite, simple and liberal For example.
a service pension law would relieve the
Of many teehnicalities that seem
obstructive and require most applicants
to employ skilled attorneys"
Assistant Secretary of the Interior Web
ster Davis. a western man. and who has
direct supervision of the pension part of
the department of the interior, is a friend
to the old soldiers. Speaking to the COM
he has this TO say on revision.
etc: 81 have thought over it a grfeat
deal and certainly think it is most ex-
cellent suggestion. believe that If It
were followed it would settle all difficult
ties relating to pension questions 1
would merely say that 1 feel enthusiastic
the first suggestion. the sug
gestion OF the commission. The secre-
tary OF the interior spoke with me about
it at the beginning of the summer"
The text of the bill IS as follows;
An act creating a commission to revise
and codify the pension laws OF the United
States.
Be it enacted by the senate and house
of representatives of the United States OF
America in congress assembled That the
president, with the ADVICE and consent OF
the senate, shall appoint a ron-partisan
commission OF five members. at least one
of whom shall belong TO the organization
known as the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie, whose duty it shall be. under the d.
rection Of the secretary of the interior. to
revise and codify the pension laws Of the
United States.
Section 2-That they shall proceed with
their work as rapidly as may be con-
sistent with thoroughness. and report the
result OF their labors to the secretary of
the interior at the earliest practicable
day. to be by him laid before congress.
They shall also make such other reports
during the progress Of their work as they
shall see fit, to the secretary Of the in
terror. to be laid before congress al his
discretion.
Section 3.-That their report shall be 50
made as to indicate any proposed change
in the substance Of existing law, and
shall be accompanied by notes. which
shall briefly and clearly state the reasons
for such proposed change
Eugene Easton was formerly a reporter
on a Kansas City paper. He then went
to Camp Alger with the Missouri regi-
ment as the correspondent for his paper.
Webster Davis. assistant secretary u the
interior. next made him his private secre-
tary. Some months ago. Mr. Easton went
TO South Africa to be war Correspond
ent He was fortunate enough 70 get
permission to accompany the Beers. and
Is now with them. H- has recently been
accredited a correspondent for the New
YORK Journal. and IS making big thing
He gets cents a word for his cables.
and sends plenty OF them NJ. Davis Il
now IN Sourh Africa on 4 vacation. and
will probably be with Easton-
Jus: az showing how early some os the
state conventions are being held x f.
worthy o. note that the Pennsylvania
Republicans 1ili meet On April 2. and
the Illinois Republicans even earlier.
April 10. P r. FAxoN.
Lewis Dennis. salem. Ind. says. ''ROdo.
Dyspepsia Cure did ne more good tran
anything I ever took Il oigeszs What
you eat and canno; help bet cure eys-
pepsla and stor1ach troubles Gus sas-.
szi z Douglas ave. Geo. Van wsresa.
IS y Ma1a st
News or the Manila Transports
Washington ian 3-Ge1sr4i OTIS sent
q cable message 70 TIRE var Department
today as follows. Transports s-rfTed.
Indiana. Ohio Forfeit iafsntry. Celgrsi
Goodwfo. Duke % Fife ard 81 PsaL
Tairty-sfghth .nfan.ry. colopei Anderson.
re casualties. DziaYvcsicck asa colgm-
49, 80 s...-.~.a s-fzu--v lr7fonsf