The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-09-17

Aossh . . ,c'''S
There were %, 123 deaths of soldier pen
sioners, of whom 2I,S42 were volunteers
during the rebellion.
1t is calculated that there will be 5000
deaths of pensioners during the present
year, and 5000 loss to the roll from other
causes.
There are 1886 ex-soldiers on the roll,
and 267,1S9 widows and dependents.
The highest point reached by the pen
sion roll was July 81, 1902, when the total
was 1,OO1, 494.
The total cost of maintaining the Bu-
reau and Agencies last year was $3,791.-
179.45.
The average annual values are as fol-
lows:
m Pehsiohs :...-...... , l3o43
Under General Law ........ 17G.16
Under Act of June 81. 1OS.S2
Spanish War NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 1925
The Commissioner gives some inter-
esting tables showing the burden of pen
sion payments per capita and per $1,000
of National wealth. The highest point
was reached in 1893, when the PAYMENTS
averaged S244 per head of population. and
S2.24 per 81, 600 Of National wealth. Last
year they averaged $1.75 per capita. and
SL32 per $1,000 of National wealth.
The Commissioner makes the following
recommendations:
II recommend the passage Of law
that any man that is convicted in Il cour.
Oh an Infamous crime should forfeit his
pension or his right to one
recommend the passage of law pro-
hibiting the, giving of pensions to those
women who marry soldiers after the SOL
diers become old pensioners
- recommend the passage of a law pro-
viding for superannuated clerks. and invite
attention to section ID, showing the con-
| dltIon in this Bureau, where there are
ooO employees who are 60 years old or
over, in force of LIZA, and where the
average of all is 53 years. Some law of
retirement and provision must be devised,
as the present system is too unsatisfac-
| tory and too expensive.
| Il recommend that in the act of March
j, 1888, the word resident be stricken
| out at the beginning of the first proviso,
because, as the prOvisO now stands Pen-
sion Laws. p. 12D, a United States pen
sioner living abroad has great advantage
over a resident pensioner.
| AS attorneys are not permitted to
charge claimants for services under the
following acts. and as claimants ought to
| have the right to the services at reason
able fees, as well for their own benefit as
the saving of expense to the Government
in doing the work which the attorney
might otherwise do, l recommend the fix
alton by law of 4 small fee for services
of attorneys under each of the acts:
| Il. Act of March 3, 1901, amending
|
to pensions to remarked widows.
80. Act of February %, 1908. amend
ing the act Of March 3, 1901 Public
No. 124.
IS. Section All, Revised Statutes. and
the act of January %, 1879, granting ar.
rears of pension.
Il. Act of March 10, 1856, granting in.
crease to widows and dependent relatives.
%. Act of August 8, 1892, granting
pension to army nurses.
Il recommend different method Of
examining applicants for pension. The
present system is n most uncertain, expen-
| siye, and unsatisfactory method. The
system is liable to outside control and DO
litical dietation, and generates an enor.
nous amount Of political friction.
"Those who are examined for disabili.
ties desire to have the very best medical
knowledge which is attainable. The path
illogical sequences of many diseases and
| disabilities are SO obscure and remote that
they can only be detected by careful ex-
animation conducted by those of learning
and experience. The Government needs
protection as well.
Il suggest boards constituted of experts
under civil-service rules who should 90
from place to place on fixed days, giving
examinations and receiving testimony re.
| garding the conditions of the applicants
and making reports thereon. The terri
| tory could be divided into circuits and the
board serve outside Of the States Of their
domicile.