The National tribune., 1902-02-20
Ev.>s,s MISLEADING EXPLANATION.

You see, the men receiving SO 6
month, $50, $40, $50, and so on. have beer
dying quite rapidly, as is natural, frou
their extreme disability, and their places
taken by men receiving the low rates. The
pension roll is larger than it ever was, the
larger pensions being distributed in smaller
| ratings"
Like all of Mr.. Evans's utterances, this
is very specious, and like most of then
will not bear examination.
In the first place, these rates are under
the old law, and have no sort of relation
to or bearing on the ratings under :he Act
of June 27, 1890. the average annua
value of which has fallen from S121.51
under Commissioner Raum to S10S.09 un
der Commissioner Evans. Commissioner
LOChren cut the average annual value OF
these pensions down to $109.55, but this
was not enough for Mr.. Evans. who shaved
another STAG, or nearly three cents a
week, off the aged and needy men and
women on the roll.
Let us examine first the old law roll:
When Mr.. Evans entered office in 1897
there We're 2.57S pensioners at S72 a
month; there are now 2,012, a reduction
of 566. According to his statement this
ought to have been met by an addition OF
5.094 pensioners at So a month.
There were then on the rolls Mt $50 n
month 9I5 pensioners; there are now
1.229-an increase of 254 in five years.
Then there were 2.351 at S45 a month;
now there are 2.0S0. decrease of 271.
which ought to account for an addition of
800 at Sc month.
Then there were 2T9S at $3G a month
now there are 2.491, a decrease of 305.
which should account for an addition of
1872 at SS a month.
Then there were 16.74S at $50 month
now there are 1G.069. a decrease of $40.
which should account for an addition of
2,544 at IS month
Then there were 1892 at S24 month;
now there are 22O77, an increase Of 49,.
Then there were 2966 at 500 a month
now there are 2,G54, decrease of 312.
sufficient TO account for an addition of
S5S at SS month.
There were then 7.710 at $50 a month
now there are 7.223. a decrease of 4S7.
sufficient to account for an addition of
1.21S at SS.
Then there were 34.416 on the roll at
SIT month: now there are 41,611. an in
crease of 7.195.
Then there were 15.353. at SIG a month: {:
now there are 10.999, decrease OF 1854
sufficient to account for an addition of
sos at $S month.
Then there were 4 25S at S15 a month;
now there are 3.7S4, decrease of 4T4.
sufficient to account for an addition of
about 900 at S.
Then there were 21.729 at S14 a month:
now there are 2233O, an increase of 602.
Then there were 13f.0O3 at Sl2
month; now there are 122.S13, a decrease
of 14.190. sufficient to account for the
addition of 21.2S5 at SS a month.
Then there were 30.G12 at SO a month;
now there are 26.S52. decrease OF 3 $50.
or sufficient to account for an addition of
/, 10 at SS a month.
We have omitted many of the interme-
date ratings. because the number receiv-
ing each is small. and to include them
would make the statement unnecessarily
prOlix.
From the above If is seen that the ag-
gregate decrease in high-rate pensioners is
equivalent to 1920 pensioners receiving
IS 4 month.
Against this must be offset an increase
of 254 pensioners at $50 a month-equaI
to 1.5S7 at SS; an increase Of 4S5 at S24
a month. equal to .433 at $S; an increase
Of 7.l95 at 81 month, equivalent to
l5,2SS at IS; and of 602 at $14 a month,
equivalent to $50 at IS. This makes an
aggregate equivalent of 1866 pensioners
at IS a month. or a total net def it
against him up to this point, for his four
years of 3O.G03.
He says that he makes this up by a
great increase Of pensioners at lower
rates.
Let us consult the reports of the Pen
sion Bureau as to the truth of this:
June 80, 1897. there were on the rolls
under the old law. 55,SS2 pensioners at
IS month. June 80. 1901. there were
If the same class. ~. .238. or 1868 fewer.
June 30, 1897, there were on the rolls
Inder the old law 1882 pensioners at So
/ month. June 80, 1901. there were of
he same class 50.43S, II reduction of 2S.-
39i-or a total reduction in these two
.lasses Of 42,0i3 pensioners. Adding the
equivalent value OF the reduction in the
lgher rates, this makes an aggregate Of
I2,G3G, a startling demonstration OF the
utter untruthfulness of Air. Evanss as
,ertions.
He had abundant material from which
to have replaced these numbers on the roll,
and to have recruited the higher ratings.
His report for June 30, 1897, showed that
be had on hand, to be adjudicated. after
iedncting those rejected or abandoned,
total of 57S,039 claims. All these were
Jf men and women already old, with their
wounds and disabilities rendering, them
every year much more helpless and needy.
There was hardly excuse for reducing the
number Of any of the higher rates. for
the wounds of every man were constantly
becoming more tyrannically disabling.
An examination OF the work done un-
der the Act Of June -, 1890 does not
show him in any better light. This act
was passed with the intention of anchor
iting the harsh requirements of the old
Jrably discharged soldier who was dis
lbIed for manual labor. 1t was intended
10 clear up the pension docket and prompt
y give q moicty at least to every man
who had faithfully served the country.
On entering office Mr.. Evans found on
The roll, under the Act of June u, 1890:
InvaIids at So n month. ... 95,9j3