Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-18
PENSIONINC OLD SOLDIERS
Scope Of Legislation Being Constantly
BrOadensd by Congress.
VOLUME OF BILLS UNPRECEDENTED
Largest Number of Pension Measures,
Both Public and Private, Ever
sent { COmmittee Referred
by Fi~fty-seventh Congress.
(From a stan corresponoent.)

WASHINGTON, July 17.-There is prob
ably no single subject in the domain OF
national legislation that appeals SO strongly
to many thousands as that Of pensions for
the old soldiers. Notwithstanding that the
ranks Of the veterans are thinning, con
gress IL constantly broadening the scope
OF pension legislation to include within
the provisions Of its session laws persons
who ten years ago would never have been
contemplated as benehciaries of the gen
eral government. Inquiries are being con-
stantly received by the committees Of the
senate and house Of representatives on
pensions as to the Scope and effect Of
legislation contemplated and enacted. Pen
sion Commissioner Ware is constantly beset
with questions as to the purport Of new
legislation and the newspapers OF the
country are besieged by subscribers ask
ing for information upon this very i'm
portant question.
In contrast with former sessions the
first session Of the Fifty-seventh congress,
which ended it's labors but q fortnight
ago, stands out as one Of the busiest
congresses, 80 far as the history Of that
body is concerned In the matter Of pension
legislation.
Volume of Bills Unprecedented.
SuaiitHdu subway VI lhG MUSE YUM
mittee on invalid pensions Is authority for
the statement that the first session of the
Fifty-seveuth congress shows the largest
number OF bills. both public and private,
that were ever sent to committee in the
history Of congress-, was referred to his
committee during the $50 days in which
congress was in session. He says In his
statement, made to the house just pre-
Vious to adjournment, that there are va
rious reasons for this. the two chief ones
however, being the unsatisfactory admin
istration of Affairs In the Pension bureau
during the four years past and the fact
that a great many OF the veterans OF the
civil war, or to be exact, 107, 900 In round
numbers, who were drawing pensions under
the general law, were induced, under a
Misrepresentation, to apply under the ACT
Of June q, 1890, and as old age and in
hrmities crept upon them they found that
the sl2 per month which they were drawing
under the act Of June %. 1890, was wholly
inadequate to provide for them the neces-
saries OF life, and as a result. unless they
secure aid from congress, many of them
would be obliged to find homes in aims
houses, Many Of these men were formerly
drawing pensions under the general law
according to Mr.. Sullovay, and had they
remained there until today they would
have been entitled to q much larger PEN
siou than can be allowed under the act OF
June q, 1890.
Provision for Aflicted.
Another class Of cases which he says
appeals to all, and which has engrossed
the attention OF the committees OF both
bodies and for which a large number oil
bills has been passed, comes right along
in these same lines. 1t is the class OF
men who are drawing 81, q month under
the act of June ~, 1890. and who nave
since become totally deaf or paralyzed
and require the aid and attendance OF an
other person. This class OF cases mas
been raised from s12 to $24 or $50 per
month. -.
In order that this class Of cases might
have an equal and Just rating the mouse
Of representatives passed an amendmen,
TO the so-called "maimed soldiers act
giving ALI veterans of this class whit had a
years service a rating Of $50 per montn
where they are so disabled as to require
the aid and attendance OF another person
II Is confidently predicted that should tnls
measure become a law 1t would largely
; tend 10 reduce the passage Of private acts
BY congress, and at the same time bring
needed relief to q class OF veterans, many
~ whom can trace. their disabilities ia
the service, but who, on account OF tech
nicalities In the law and the fact that
many of their witnesses are not living, can
not prove their claims, but would be en-
titled to a rating Of from $50 to 17s per
month under the general law.
Includes widow and Minors.
In this connection It may not be out OF
place to recall the joint resolution which
was approved by the president on the Isl
Of July, constituting the act approved June
e. 1890, wherein II Is held that that act
includes all persons and the widows and
minor children OF all deceased persons sub
feet to the limitations OF the act who
served for ninety days in the military OF
naval service Of the United States during
the late war OF the rebellion. and who have
been honorably discharged therefrom.
Section 4,7e1 Of the revised statutes IL
amended According to the resolution above
referred to to the extent that the con-
structlon Of this statute does not apply tC
those who served In the First, Second
Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth regiments
United States Volunteer infantry, who had
prior service In the confederate army
or navy and who enlisted in said regiments
while confined as prisoners Of war under
a stipulation that they were not to b
pensionable under the laws Of the United
States. nor to those who having had such
prior service enlisted in the military OF
naval service Of the United States afteI
January /, 1855.
May Determine Transferable Status.
Should the bills which are now on either
the senate or. house calendars pass con.
sress, much needed legislation along th'