Evening star., 1900-08-10
No Fight to Be Made on Commis-
sioner Evans
At COMING G. A. R. ENCAMPMENT
Probable Report of the Investigat-
ing Committee.
NO UNFAIR TREATMENT

1t is pretty well settled that no successful
attack will be made on Commissioner
Evans of the pension bureau at the coming
encampment of the Grand Army, to be held
in Chicago during the latter part Of the
present month. 1t is doubtful whether any
attack will be made on him at all. but If
any attempt should be made to adopt reso-
lutions hostile to the present administra-
ton of the pension office, it is quite general
ly believed here that 1t will prove farcical.
Eject of the Fight Last Year.
1t is quite generally understood that the
fight that was worked up against Mr..
Evans at the last encampment of the Grand
Army at Philadelphia, and which proved a
failure to the extent that the eneampment
could not be brought to the point of adopt
ing resolutions condemning his administra-
ton, has been followed by considerable
rebound in the attitude Of many Grand
Army men.
1t will be remembered that committee
was appointed two years ago to examine
into charges of unfair treatment that were
made in forty pension cases. this commit
tee to report to the Philadelphia encamp-
ment at its last session. The committee re-
ported and showed its inability to find any
ground for the charges of unfairness. 1t
was the report of this committee that pre-
vented the passage of any resolution con-
demning Mr. Evans course. The commit
tee was given every facility for examining
the records in the cases that We're referred
to 1t, and could discover no ground for
complaint in the action of the pension
bureau. This same committee was con-
tnued with the exception that Gen. Dan
Sckles appointed on it in the place of
one of the original members and the COM
mlttee was charged with the duty of watch
ing the course of pension adjudication dur
ing the past year, being empowered to ex-
anime any complaints of unfair treatment
that might be turned over to it.
1t is understood that that committee will
have nothing to report to the Chicago en-
campment detrimental to the administra-
ton of the pension office, and 1t is said 1t
missioner of pensions should fight be
made on him through the instrumentality
of pension agents or Others
A Canvass of G. A. R. Posts.
Another fact is cited an indication that
the Grand Army posts of the country are
not inclined to make a fight on the pension
administration and 1t relates to an effort
that has been made to secure expressions
from these Grand Army posts detrimental
to Commissioner Evans. Blank forms of
resolutions were sent out over two months
ago to the 1000 Grand Army posts, these
resolutions declaring the desire of the posts
to have the commissioner of pensions re-
moved from Office report of action of
these 1900 posts up to August 0 shows that
only 127 of them adopted the condemnatory
resolutions.
A good many Grand Army men here
think many of these resolutions were
adopted when but a small attendance of
the posts was present at the meeting when
the resolution was called up, and they
are inclined to think that the result would
have been still more favorable to Mr.
Evans had full attendance been present
at all the meetings and had the matter
been fully discussed. At any rate, they
say that 121 is very small part of the
whole number Of 1900 posts and thew he
lieve these returns indicate that a change
in the sentiment of the Grand Army to-
ward the commissioner has taken place
during the past year.
Will Help the Republicans
So far the fight on the commissioner
of pensions is concerned, it is believed that
its political effect will be helpful to the
republican ticket during the coming cleo
ton rather than otherwise
The fight on the commissioner occurring
SO far ahead Of the election as to allow in
vestigaion and time for second thought
among Grand Army men, has relieved it
very largely from the possibility of results
that might have occurred had 1t taken place
on the eve of an election, when there would
be no time for investigation. Some Grand
Army men believe the attacks on Commits
sioner Evans will actually make republican
votes among that portion of the voters who
think that pension legislation has gone far
enough and that 40 per cent of the revenues
of the government, when on a peace basis
is large enough share Of the public funds
to be given yearly for the payment of pen
s:ons.
At any rate, 1t is believed that when the
Grand Army assemblies in Chicago 1t win
be dominated by men who think attacks on
the commissioner of pensions have gone
Tar enough, and that should those who op-
pose him rally to attack his administra-
ton they will meet such opposition that
Will promptly defeat their purposes.