The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-03
NEED REVISION.
Pension Commissioners Gives
His Views on Pension
Laws.

washington, Feb. 3.-Commissioner of
Pensions Evans was heard today by the
house committee on invalid pensions
relative to pension legislation. In view
of recent hearings of Grand Army dele
cations and others interested in pen
sions, the hearing attracted more than
usual interest. Mr.. Evans expressed the
belief that the time had come for a re-
vision of the pension laws. The two
general laws had become complicated
by so many decisions and constructions
that he believed it to be essential u
have a general revision in order to get
at the real meaning Of the law and the
desires of congress toward the pension
ers He had therefore recommended
a commission to revise the pension laws
and he believed such body could do
its work and report to congress by next
December.
Mr.. Evans was asked as to charges
that had been made that some special
commissioners who investigated wild
ows claims asked insulting questions
of these widows. The commissioner
vigorously denied these charges. He
read from the regulations of the Com
missiOners Black and Tanner on the
subject of inquiries and his own in
structiOns to examiners to avoid any
indiscretions. In connection with
charge that improper questions had
been asked an aged widow, Mr.. Evans
read the report of the examiner denying
the charge ana declaring there was 1IOL
a word of truth in it.
The commissioner said 1t was impos-
sible to frame any law without having
had some special cases arise which
might cause difficulty. He was asked
why the local medical boards told pen
sioners a favorable report would be
made and yet favorable action did not
follow at the bureau. The commission
er said that the local boards are fol-
hidden under the rules from making
known their findings. But their mem
bers were humane and naturally sway
ed to some extent by local feeling
Moreover he said, the law itself caused
difficulty by requiring not only the med
zeal diagnosis but a general estimate
or conclusion and these did not always
agree.
Mr. Evans spoke of the intelligence
and ability of those in charge Of the
work. AS to delays in appeal cases, he
said about four thousand were passed
on last year, and of these only about
three hundred resulted in reversal of
the original ruling. Some of the delay
had been caused by the wholesale APP
peaHng of cases on printed blanks. Mr..
Evans expressed his personal advocacy
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 lat
ter was quick to call attention to the
mistake in his case.
There was absolutely no truth, the
commissioner said, in the charge that
Spanish war claims were being held up,
as he had given special instructions to
advance them.
The hearing brought out much other
detailed information on the administra-
ton of pension affairs At it's conclu
sion the committee unanimously
adopted a vote of thanks to the COM
missioner, and in acknowledging this
Mr.. Evans said he was always glad
to have the sunlight shed upon the
workings of the pension office"