Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-07-17
EUGENE WARE TALKS
Three Months as Pension Commits
sioner Without 4 Quarrel.
BIS POLICY GIVING SATISFACTION.
Cold Evidence and Cold Law, Mr. Ware
said to Ills snb0rdinates, Must Pre-
vail In the Granting Of
Pensions.

Washington, July A.-Eugene r.
Ware, commissioner Of pensions, who
has recognized the force of en-
ployes at the pension bureau and
has inaugurated that which he con-
sidered necessary in the way OF re-
forms, is now preparing to leave the
city for vacation. He stated that
In the three months he had held the
office Of commissioner he had not
had quarrel with anyone. Senators
and representatives, he said, had not
found any special fault with his
methods, and applicants for pensions
also seemed to be satisfied with the
way he disposed Of applications.
"When | became commissioner"
said Mr.. Ware, ian impression
seemed to prevail that there would
be a wide swath cut right through
the laws, the national treasury and
everything else. There has been
nothing of the kind. When ! took
charge l called in all the heads of
divisions and told them very plainly
that my policy would be to observe
the law, | said that If the acts Of
allowed a man a pension |
wanted hin to get it. II he could
not meet the requirements Of the
law pension ought not to be grant
ed. l think that statement surprised
them somewhat, but | meant it, and
| have stuck to it. Cold evidence
and cold law, | said to them, must
prevail in the granting of pensions.
More than this, when l went out
to Kansas and they put me in car
rage and took me down TO address
= mass meeting OF old soldiers, l said
the same thing. No sympathy and
40 sentiment, I said, but only the
law. thought they must have mis-
understood me and | repeated 1t more
plainly. They applauded me again.
answered joe Waters about 1t.
Joe Waters is a western genius and
4 great orator among the old sol
Hers. He told me that the boys felt
hat they had not been given the
benefit OF the law and all they want
ID was fair treatment. Here's a let
,er from him on my desk right now,
md he repeats what he said, that the
I'D soldiers want nothing more than
he law grants them. l reject pen
ion applications every day. | don't
ike to do 1t, but | have to, because
he law Is not complied with. Only,
when do reject pension it will be
IN honest rejection"
The commissioner stated that he
lad established civil service sys-
EN- at the pension bureau that was
satisfactorily. He said: "ln
he beginning | found that pressure
rom all directions was brought to
,ear on the commissioner of pen
ions to appoint men to positions in |
he bureau who had no experience.
had two Sl,s0O positions to fill, and
hoped to postpone the selection of
nen for these places until had fully
amiliarized myself with the office
But | found | had to
make the appointments and make
hem soon. ] think there were 400
len presented to me with the strong
st Endorsements for those two
laccs.
swell, nearly all Of the applicants
,ere well fitted for the work, but
s | looked about the office l saw a
God many other men who had
'orked here for years who had de-
eloped the most valuable knowledge
nd experience here-many Of them
Id soldiers--and made up my mind
hat IL anyone was made an $500
Jerk II should be the man who had
roven his ability and his steadiness
ight here under fire, so 10 speak.
II appoint outsiders as places for
hem may be created, but they will
ave to 20 in at the bottom Of the
ldder."