Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-22
PENSION REPORT PREPARED.
Roll Now Contains 1,O41 1921 Names of
Veterans

Washington, Aug. 20.-H. Clay Ev-
ans. commissioner of pensions, has
completed his annual report for the fis-
cal year ending June 80, 1901. The
report shows there were 44,225 claims
allowed during the fiscal year 1901 for
original pensions. The number of
names added to the roll on account of
renewals and restorations was 1857.
The total number of names now on
the roll is 1.O41.321.
On June 80, 1900. the last day of the
last fiscal year, there were 993,529 pen
sioners. Twelve years ago, on June
so, 1880, there were 1884 pensioners.
The roll for the year just closed is
"high-water mark" in the history of
the pension bureau. The next largest
number of pensioners reached was in
the fiscal year of 1898, the number
being 993,714, or within 200 of the
number which were on the rolls at
the beginning of the last fiscal year.
The report will show that the losses
in the pension roll during the fiscal
year of 1901 were from marriage. S53;
minors reaching the age of 16, 1852;
failure to claim, 1,53S: other causes,
1851. The figures given show that
year was 1906.
or the pensions granted during the
year 1,944 were on account of the war
of the rebellion and 3,S49 on account
of the war with Spain. TIL losses to
the roll included; war of the rebellion,
!! 2; war of 1872, 215; war with Mexico,
S26; Indian wars 1S32442), 544. The
appropriations for the payment of pen
ISi0 It,,,i ,,tr I, 81
was $l44,000,v00, and of this $685.
531 ,483.o4 was expended.
Defenders Not Forgotten.
The report shows some startling fig
ures, indicating the bounty of the gov
| eminent to it's defenders. 1t shows
a total expenditure for pensions since
1880 of $2,763,350, 03346 Since the
civil war, OF in the period from July 1,
1865 to June 80, 1901, the eXpendi-
lures were $2,666,904, 1928. AS hav-
| ing a hearing on the reports which
have been persistently circulated that
the pension business has been help up
during the past few years, figures are
given to show that at the close of the
! hScal year 1897 there were pending
j $4,000 claims, and in 1898 635 O59. At
the close of the fiscal year 1901 there
were pending 403, 500. and in 1900 437,-
| lO4. About $3,000,000 more was spent
on account of pensions during Presi-
dent McKinley's first term than in any
administration since President Grants
first term. In the term referred to
! $3.50, 0O0,547 was spent, being an av-
erage per year of $140,00O,OO0 In
| President Cleveland's second term the
closest approach was made to it's ex-
penditures, the figures being for the
entire second term $557 $780, 07, or an
average of $l39, 100000 per year. Dur.
ing President Harrison's administra.
/ ton $519, 1925 was expended, the
average being $129,926,931.
The fees paid to attorneys during
the year amounted to 1891 ,z45.22, be,
ing an increase of $73.868 80 over the
J previous year. This increase was oc
casioned by the allowance of Spanish
war claims, in nearly all of which the
attorneys nau filed fee agreements for
a $25 fee, and these amounts were in
every case deducted from the first pay
ments made on the certificate. The
commissioner is permitted no discre
ton in fixing the amount of the fee to
be paid the attorney for his services
in this class of cases, the matter be-
ing regulated by statute.
Medical Examination.
The amount appropriated for medi
cal examination of applicants for pen
sions or increase was $4,000 OF
ltct, ,....