The National tribune., 1902-10-16


Chairman of the appropriate Committees
of his entire concurrence on the amended
bill 1t failed to pass, but another meas
ure was then pending which, we believed,
afforded more prompt means for relief by
an appropriation for 30 additional law
clerks to the Assistant Secretary of the
Interior.
This became operative July /, and the
Assistant Secretary stated that with this
help he could clear the accumulated files
| in a year, and thereafter work on appeals
could be kept up to date.
Deaf Persons.-A bill to increase the
pensions of men totally deaf from service
your Committee. This measure would af-
feet less than 800 persons and should be-
come n law.
Manned Pensioners-A bill to increase
the pensions of those who have lost a
limb or limbs in the service passed the
Senate by unanimous vote. A similar
measure but providing for a reduction of
the amount in the Senate bill, passed the
House, but an amendment of much wider
scope was attached, which prevented its
adoption by the Senate. Doubtless a con-
ference will be had at the next session and
a measure passed satisfactory to the class
named in the bill.
General Legislation.-In the matter of
proposed legislation we found that great
many bills, some of which greatly in
creased the amount of pensions to be paid,
had been introduced in Congress and re-
ferred to the respective committees of the
Senate and House. Upon consultation
with many Senators and Representatives
we discovered a general sentiment against
the enactment of such legislation. Again
as the Grand Army of the Republic had
taken no action in the premises we did
not feel at liberty to recommend the pas
sage Of any particular bill.
We respectfully submit that it is highly
improbable that Congress will in the i'm
mediate future enact any law that greatly
increases the amount to be paid pension
ers; or at least will not do so until this
organization shall determine upon and ask
for such legislation.
STATISTICAL.
The report of the Commissioner of Pen
sions for the year ending June 30, 1902,
presents many details of interest.
The roll of pensioners has increased
LII, but the number pensioned during
the year on account of the war with Spain
was 9,465, SO that all other classes have
been reduced by 1854.
The average rate of pensions for men
disabled in the service is $111.2S. but this
class has been reduced in numbers during
the past five years 49, 5SS, and the money
value of their pensions for that time is
thus reduced by $S,493, 1924.
The average pensions for men under
the Act of June, 1890, is S10S.59. This
class has been increased during the five
years by 2S,232, requiring an expenditure
in that time of $3,O65, 712.0S. and making
a net reduction in men who served in the
war of the rebellion of 21,356, and saving
by the difference in rates of pensions $5,-
1927, 1876.
The number Of widows pensiOned on ac-
count of the deaths of their husbands
through service disability has decreased
in five years S,J34. There has been an
increase in the number of widows pen
stoned under the Act of 1890 of &c, ,449,
showing that thousands of veterans have
died in the five years leaving widows with
out adequate support
The deaths reported to the Bureau dur
ing the last year number %, rs: 27,O43 of
these were pensioned, and 23,OS5 were not
pensioners. The Commissioner estimates
the number of deaths this year will be
about 10000.
FAITH IN COMMISSIONER WARE.
In our Intercourse with the present Com
missioner, the Hon. Eugene +. Ware, We
have expressly declared on your behalf
that the Grand Army had nothing to ask
but the just construction of the laws to
pensioners or applicants without prejudice
or bias. We want doers of wrong pun
ished, but all applicants are entitled to be |
considered as honest until the contrary is
proven.
We believe that the Commissioner has |
accepted this most onerous position with |
an earnest desire and intent to faithfully |
execute the laws governing his great office, |
in letter and in spirit, and if he shall |
honestly construe and apply the laws it is |
all we, or any other citizens demand.
Already there is evidence that abuses |
and miscOnstructiOn, against which We
have protested, have been corrected. The
ability and training OF lawyer and man |
of affairs is shown in the concise report |
just printed. In it we find no pages of |
denunciatiOn or labOred explanations. The
work of the Office in it's varied and intri-
cate details is presented in q form to be |
understood by the average layman.
In the conduct of the army of employees
under his control he has declared to the
Board having in charge promotions in the
office:
Il want promotions by merit. want
to establish an incentive. Therefore you
will not overlook the quiet man who at
tends to his duty. Remember the old sol
dier and prefer him when his merits and
are equal. Give no precedence
to political pull, and do not let nativity or
religion cut any figure"
As the work of this Committee seemed
How Soma nf 0ur Ron doro fan Moba