The National tribune., 1903-06-11
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
PENSION BUREAU-NEw PRACTICE In
FORCE TILL JULY /, 1908.

PENSION BUREAU-NEw PRACTICE In
FORCE TILL JULY 1, 1908.
The following is copy Of instructions
issued under date of April q. 1903, by the
Commissioner of Pensions, to be observed
in the adjudication of claims: THE in
structions are indorsed as approved,
verbally, by Hon. Thomas Ryan, Acting
Secretary. May 6, 1908, to remain in force
till July 1, 1903."]
81. Reports from Postmasters as to
credibility OF witnesses will not be re-
quired.
So When the testimony of witness is
of primary importance in the adjudication
of a claim, a synopsis Of his affidavit, to-
gether with any other information which
will aid a Special Examiner in making a
thorough and intelligent cross-examination
en- all points involved will be prepared and
forwarded to the Special Examination Di-
vision in order that the deposition of such
witnesses may be obtained in each in
stance. The post office address of the
claimant and of each of the other wit
nesses upon the same point will also be
given. so that when Witnesses live in diff
fereHs localities, the Special Examination
Division may, other things being equal,
secure the deposition of the most accessi-
BILE witness. Calls upon the Special Ex-
animation Division for the credibility only
of witnesses, will not be made.
SO. If it be ascertained that the witness
seen is credible and has testified from per-
sonal knowledge of the facts, and no ad-
verse features develop, the reliability of
the other witnesses on the same point will
be presumed. If, however, the question
| to be determined is origin in service, the
deposition of at least two witnesses upon
this point will be secured by the Special
Examiner.
Il. If, upon cross examination, It be
shown that a witness is unrellab Bile or that
| his testimony is not based upon personal
knowledge, the depositions Of the other
secured.
"5. These inquiries must be confined to
the most vital questions at issue in each
case and should not be made until it ap-
pears probable that the claim can be
established. No call will be made for the
credibility and cross-examination of any
| witnesses whose testimony is imnaterial
or of minor importance.
So In claims under the act Of June 81,
1890, where disability alleged in the
declaration is found in a ratable degree
| upon the first medical examination, the
existence Of such disability in .ratable
degree at date of filing will be presumed,
provided the medical examination be held
| within one year from date Of filing the
claim.
81. Non-yicious habits in invalid claims
under the act Of June q, 1890, will be
presumed, unless the nature Of the dis
ability, certificate of medical examination.
the record or other evidence is sufficient
to raise a doubt upon this question. If
there is sufficient doubt the claim will be
&l. sa1 -
sion, to secure the deposition of the claim
ant and such other evidence as may be re-
quired to settle such question.
"S. In claims where dependence is in
| volved and the evidence filed shows that
| the claimant has other means Of support
than her daily labor, and sufficient doubt
| is raised as to her dependence, the depo-
sition Of the claimant, as well as that Of
| the witnesses upon this point, will be Sc
cured. However. should the claimant re-
side in town of less than 10000 inhab-
itants. correspondence will first be had
| with the Postmaster or other responsible
official, as to the facts. This may elicit
sufficient information to settle the claim
without resorting to the means above out
lined
SO. II the Special Examiner finds that
witness has removed from his district, or
has died, he shall, if it comes to his knowl-
edge that some other person in his dis
trict has the requisite information, obtain
| the deposition of such person before re-
turning the inquiry to the Bureau.
40. In many cases correspondence
with an Examining Surgeon Of the Bu-
reau living in claimants locality may
bring out valuable information and obviate
the necessity for making inquiry through
the Special Examination Division. Such
correspondence should be had, when prac-
! ticable, before making such inquiry
| through that Division.
al. All orders or parts Of orders in
conflict herewith are hereby revoked"