Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-03
Prepares Bill Which Slaps Pension
Department
THE MEASURE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
New Member Probably Angry Be-
cause Claims For Old Soldiers in
His District Were Turned Down
Takes Slap at Department.
Washington. d. c.. June 80

| Cldly d lOlS SSSSlOl, VI CouSiS COS, al Y
always made memorable by members
of a practical joking sort; songsters
and humorists. Congressman McDer-
mott, of the Hoboken district, New
Jersey, is a comparatively new mem
Der, who up to date has always con-
Quoted himself in a manner strictly
conventional; never giving way to
outbursts of boyishness. However,the
humorous characteristics are evident
lily secreted about him, and just as
congress was about to adjourn burst
forth
The development was in the form
of DILL touching applications for
pensions, or rather set of alleged
specifications prepared by the pension
office. 1t is limited that Mr.. McDer-
mott must have met with some hard
shedding in his efforts to secure de-
served recognition of claims of GER
tain old soldiers in his district. At all
events his "bill'' is regarded as a
yelled slam at the pension depart
ment. The bill needs no one to toot
its horn; it is distinctly audible when
presented with an opportunity. Here
it is in full:
"Fifty-seventh congress, first SEES
sion. H. R. 15,2S7. In the house OF
representatives" Mr., McDermott in
troduced the following BILL which was
referred to the committee on invalid
pensions and ordered to be printed:
Whereas, it is rumored that sever
al pensions have been granted within
two years after application to the bu
reau of pensions. which fact indicates
Nf 1,,,+ =, ~
department; therefore,
BE it enacted by the senate and
house of representatives of the Unit
ed States of America in congress as
sembled, That the bureau of pensions
shall not hereafter take favorable ac
ton upon any application for pen.
sion until the applicant shall have
fully answered, to the satisfaction of
the commissioner of pensions, and all
the employees of the bureau (Which
approval shall be indicated by sepa.
rate endorsements upon the applica-
lions or papers annexed thereto), the
following questions, and given the in.
formation hereinafter indicated:
(a) With whom have you talked
concerning your application? Give
! time of conversation and color of the
eyes of person with whom you con
versed; also two photographs of his
, nearest relatives.
OBJ Give history of your childhood
. with copies of your last composition
in school. Have copy certified BY
schoolmaster. If schoolmaster is dead
give history of his family from Time
OF coronation of R. Rufus the Red to
January 7. 1902.
.(c) In order that claims may re.
celve early attention, furnish a COW
OF the directory of each town or city
IN winch deceased resided with the af.
ndaylts of two reputable citizens show.
ing the truth of each allegation of resi-.
dents contained in said directories. II
applicant is in INDECENT circumstances
blanks Will be furnished by the de.
partment not, however, excepting the
capacity of two freight cars.
td.) II deceased was not native
porn, furnish photographs of birth
place; also history of maternal grand
mother. II photograph Of grandmoth.
er is not obtainable, furnish oil paint.
ing.
4 "(e) Furnish thirteen affidavits of
reliable citizens. showing that appli.
cant has never contemplated re-mar-
rage. Each affiant must fully state
the sources Of his knowledge, which
must not have been derived from con.
versation with applicant.
"tf.) If marriage to deceased was
prior to 1860. furnish the affdavits of
thlrty-elght citizens showing clearly
and conclusively that applicant did moi
contract said marriage in order to OBJ
tain pension.
"(g) Furnish photographs of chill
dren with evidence of fortv-nine repu
table witnesses to prove paternity. II
applicant is childless, satisfactory eyi
dence Of the reasons therefor must be
furnished
4 "(h.) Furnish photographs of de
4 ceased, showing his performance OF
duty in any battle in which he partici
! pated; this exhibit must be accompan
l led by the affidavits of at least ter
: comrades, establishing that wounds
!. received in battle were not received
with the intention of obtaining pension
) for applicant.
I'D Furnish history of each sol
der who served from the state in
which deceased enlisted If deceased
was drafted, furnish certified copies Of
election returns showing election Of
officers of municipality serving al
time draft was made; also history Of
town hail.
cd If it is claimed that deceased
died of consumption contracted during
service furnish embalmed section Of
left lung. If claim is of death from
Bright's disease, similarly contracted
furnish x-ray photographs of kidneys
and toe joints.
| "(k.) Furnish certified copies of al
books in public library nearest home
of applicant
CD Furnish conclusive evidence
showing how long the deceased would
have lived if he had not served in the
war.
"(m.) Furnish evidence showing
present residence of deceased. Hear
say testimony on this point will not be
considered"
Congressman McDermott has been
congratulated by large number OF
the members of the house who know
} somewhat of the trials incident to get
ting an application through the var,
ious stages which terminate in "af
lowed" The committee on invalid