The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-13
BILL UP.
Bell of Colorado Condemns the
Pension Attorneys.

Washington, Jan. 13--This was Dis
trict of Columbia day in the house and
Immediately after the reading of the
journal Mr.. Babcock, (Wis.) chairman
of the District of Columbia committee
claimed the day and the house pro-
ceeded to the consideration of district
business.
At the conclusion of the District of
Columbia business the house took up
the pension appropriation bill. Mr..
Barney (Wis.) in charge of the bill ex-
planned that it carried $139 4S0 as
against $145, ,245,23 appropriated for the
current year.
He was asked by Mr.. Richardson,
CTenn) who the amount for pensions
decreased 512 per cent while the num-
ber of pensioners was said to be larger.
Mr.. aBrney explained that this was
accounted for by the fact that the ar
rearageS were decreasing and the num-
ber of large pensions-thoSe from $50 to
SIS a month-was also decreasing. In
reply to another question he stated that
the committee on pensions believed that
the high tide of pension payments had
been reached and the amount required
probably would remain stationary for
some years.
Mr. Bell (CoD. denounced the prac-
tices of the pension sharks" He de-
clared that they were importuning
soldiers of the Spanish war and those
who had since served in the Philippines
to apply for pensions. He said that in
some cases soldiers who were thorough
ly examined at the time or Inalr OlS-
charge and found TO be perfectly sound,
yielded to these opportunities and ap-
piled for pensions within month af-
ter their discharge. He made a strong
plea for justice to the soldiers not only
of the rebellion but of the Spanish war
contending that to secure justice for
deserving veterans, pensions to the un-
worthy should be opposed.
As against the soldier in the civil war
who had not applied for a pension until
recent years he thought the present
commissioner was too strict. but in the
matter of ferreting out fraud he thought
Commissioner Evans had been unex-
celled by any of his predecessors.
Mr.. Grosvenor (Ohio) assai1ed the re-
port of the committee of the Grand
Army of last summer, which made cer
tain congressman, himstlf among them,
responsible for the failure to pass the
preference pension bill. He said the re-
port was unfair, unjust and untruthful-
IN THE SENATE
Washington, Jan. 13.-When the SEN
ate met today Mr. Mason gave notice
that tomorrow he would address the
senate in reference to Cuban customs
> duties a bill and resolution relating TO
which was introduced by him today
A resolution by Mr.. Hale providing for
the printing of a number of copies of
the report of the Schley court of an
quiry was referred to the committee on
printing
on motion of Mr. Nelson the bill ere
ating department of commerce was
L.
ment in favor of the department of
commerce 1t would materially aid in
increasing our foreign markets and
would tend to bring working men and
employers into closer and more harmo-
nious relations. He believed all lines
of industry would be advanced by such
a department.
After some discussion by Messrs. Tel
Ter and Hale. the department of COM
merce bill went over, both these SEN
ators saying they desired to have fur
ther time to consider it
At 1:45 p m. the senate went into
executive session.
CAUCUS ON WAR TAX
Washington, Jan. 13.-A call for a
caucus of Republican members of the
house of representatives to consider
reduction of war revenue taxes is being
circulated The movement is under
stood to be favored by Representatives
Cannon. Hill, Shattuck, Boutelle and
receives a sufficient number of sigma
lures the caucus Will be held on
Wednesday night
PANAMA COMPANY HAS A HEAR
ING.
washington, Jan. 13.-The senate COM
mittee on interoceanic canals held a
session today and M. Lampre, of the
Panama Canal company, was again be-
fore it Senator Morgan questioned him
very closely and at length, going over
the examination of Saturday. but not
bringing out any new facts of especial
Importance. The committee will meet
again tomorrow.