New-York tribune., 1901-02-11
INCREASE IN PENSION CLAIMS.
THE SPANISH AND PHILIPPINE WARS
ASK THE GOVERNMENT FOR AID.

Washington. Feb 10 (speciaD.-Thers are now
more than 5000 claims of veterans OF the Spanish
and Philippine wars awaiting action at the Pension
Bureau. A. the close Of the last fiscal year, June
sn 800 there were only I.755 pensioners OF these
wars on the rolls of this number s73 were widows
and $50 were invalids. These pensioners were re-
ceiVing Ss32 eo5. average OF over SIS a month
each There were then pending thousands OF other
applications. and the increase has leen so heavy
that the force employed at the Pension Bureau is
unable 10 keep pace with IL. II the war in the
Philippines continues much longer the question Of
pensions growing out OF it is certain 10 attract
general attention.
There are two broad lnws governing the issuance
~ pensiors. one Ghe general law is more liberal
than the o'her and more restrictive The other
provides solely for the veterans OF the Civil War
and those dependent uIon them Title 10 pension
is conferred by the general law upon those who
have been disabled by reason OF any wound or
injury received disease contracted while In the
military or naval service Of the United states
Pensions hereunder range from $40 20 $50 month
according to rank Higher rates are provided for
specific disability, the highest being Sloo month
for the loss of both arms.
The act OF 1850 entities to pensions those persons
who served ninety days or more in the military or
naval service of the United States during the war
of the Rebellion and were honorably discharged
and who may be suffering from mental or physical
s,hiit,v of a permanent character mot the re-
suit of their own vicious habits which inca"
pacitates them f:Om labor II aisp cohiers pen
sions ranging from s. TO N2 month upon tHe
widows orphans or dependent parents oil such
soldiers or sailors. Accordingly, few veterans OF
The Civil War are not entitled To pensions. ~ ~
with them merely a question of title under the law
Al the mastering out of many of the soldiers OF
the civil War no medical examinations were mdue
and therefore a wide range of evidence Is requireu
in connection with each claim for a pension E'eiS
claimant with shadow of chance apples uhuei
the general pension law appealing TO the othe' !"
case OF failure establish his case since the - Te
ginning of the Spanish every soldier OF iI s1oI
the service is examined. ana ms pHS
condition Is compared wIh the recOrd taken at tle
time of his acceptance. This precautiJn uoeS a"dy
with an immense amount OF detail ana piOtcS'S
the. Government in Vital particular -
Eighteen pension agen" les are maintained IN as
many large cities. and phytical examinations are
cnnducted at each. An applicant for pension
must nav his expenses to the nearest OF tieSe
stations Each examining board consists OF tnree
nhvsirians who receivc 81 for each case Inc
boards now examining dPpllcditS i"i PN'N'
AZ the rate of 1900 year.
Tbe Once staff OF medical and legal experts VINO
mass unon and rae claims after the physical eN-
LIMITATIONS are concluded is large. Several negro
Iswvers and physicians are on the force ~ ne
number Of pensioners reEched high water marx IN
isaS "a non fh.re $685. ia on the rolls In ls9S
tn an,oInt paid for pensions aggregated SlSl,ol9-
esI Tbe ap6ropriatiGns for pensions last year
Amounted 10 sli40loO0O. but the expenditures were
asa than i'm The previous year. ana the decrease
would have continued but for the unexpected De
mends i'm connection with the Spanish and Philip-
pine