River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-08-09

of new claims of all kinds were filed
in the pension bureau. the number of
original claims filed during the years
1897. 1898 and 1899 alone aggregating
126, 136. The total number of all APP
plications received during the fiscal
year of 1899 was 164,sS1, while for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1898, the num-
Der was 21s.4s9.
Notwithstanding this avalanche of
claims, which was added to the half
million claims pending when Commits
sioner Evans assumed charge of the bu-
| reau, the work of settling claims has
been prosecuted with such diligence
that al the end of the fiscal year of
1899 only Ar. 239 unsettled claims re-
manned in the pending files of the bu-
reau. and only 49, 1877 of these are origi-
nal cllims the balance being claims for
increase or additional allowance.
In fact the work of the bureau is now
so nearly current that original claims
can be settled as fast as they are com
pleted by the claimants by furnishing
the necessary evidence.
This result has been accomplished
notwithstanding the fact that about
10000 additional claims were filed last
year on account of service in the war
with Spain.
During the years of 1897, 1898 and
1899 nearly 100000 original pensions
were granted, while for the three years
preceding 1897, viz, 1894 1895 and 1896,
only 1864 of the same class were al
lowed.
On June 30, 1897. there were 976,014
pensioners on the rolls of the different
agencies, while on June 80, 1899, the
number was 991 $40, showing a net in
crease since 1897 of 1906
The increase in the number Of pen
sioners has grown steadily from year
to year, the maximum number being in
1898, viz. 993, ia. In 1894 the number
was 969.544.
Since the close of the fiscal year 1894
there have been dropped from the rolls;
Other causes, remarriage, etc.,. 1000
Total .....-...................... 255,5I2
And yet the roll has continued to
increase each year until now it con
tains nearly 100000 names.
The amount paid for pensions during
1898, the last year of the Harrison ad-
ministration, was S156,Soe, 1894.
During the following year $500,
which was the first year OF the demo
cratic administration, the amount paid
for pensions dropped to S139 oSG.6e6.17,
being a reduction in one year of $780,
$40, 911.S7.
During the present fiscal year up to
May 81. 1900, the pension bureau has
issued 90,91S certificates, and the num-
Der to be issued curing the month of
June will bring til, tctal nu1.,bcr of
certificates issued for the year 1900 to
over 100000.
The payments for the fiscal year end
ing June 80 1900. on account of PEN
sions will amount to over S14o. 900 900.
The annual value of the pension roll
as it stood ON June 30, 1899, was $751;
619 .96l. and the average annual value of
each pension was $132.74 The annual
value of the roll is greater now than
it ever was before.
Since April /, 1897, over 1900 names
! of pensioners, who had been previously
dropped for various causes, have been
restored to the rolls and these persons
are now receiving pensions amounting
to 81 100000 annually.
This work is still in progress, the
commissioner having directed the res
/ toration of sos names during the month
Of May 1900.