Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-09-17
A PENSION REPORT.
Commissioner Ware Says There Are
oo6,54s Names on the Roll.
RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY WARE.
The Commissioner or the General Land
Once Issues Statement Showing the
Amount Of Money Received for the
Reclamation Fund.

Washington. Sept 1.-THE annual
report Of Commissioner Of Pensions
Ware places the total number of pen
sioners now on the rolls at 996,545, OF
which 725,356 are soldiers and 207, 189
are widows and dependents. Mr.. Ware
announces that 1t Is not probable that
the pension roll will again cross the
million line, the high water mark hav-
ing been reached O year ago. Five Of
the pensioners are on the rolls on ac-
count OF the war Of the revolution,
1,116 on account Of the war Of 1912,
4,734 on account Of the Indian wars
and 1854 on account Of the Mexican
war.
The average annual value of each
pension is now $133. The total annual
value Of the Spanish war pension roll
has reached $1.765,310.
Commissioner Ware makes the fol-
lowing recommendations: Laws for
feiting the pension or right to pension
of any man convicted in court Of an
infamous crime; prohibiting the CIV
ing Of pensions to women who marry |
soldiers after the soldiers become old
pensioners; a different method Of ex-
sming applicants for pension. Mr.. Ware
stamping the present system as uncer-
tain, expensive, unsatisfactory and
generative of an enormous amount of
political friction
Mr.. Ware says the bureau has gained
on the current work 100000 cases dur
ing the last two years.
The actual total disbursements IN
pensions on account Of the revolution
ary war, war of 1872, Indian wars, Mex
lean war, civil war and the war with
Spain was $3,03S, 1923, 500. 'i'
1t is estimated that $16,0O0,0OO was
paid in pensions for disabilities and.
deaths due to military and naval
service In the war Of 1872 and with
Mexico and during the time Of peace
prior to the war Of the rebellion, max
ing the payments Of pensions to
soldiers and sailors Of the war Of the
rebellion and Of the regular military
and naval establishments since the
close Of said war Of the rebellion and
their widows. children, and dependent
amount to 1885,, 240, 400.
The cost of the pension system per
capita of population for 1908 is given
IS SITS, to which figure 1t has shrunk
from 1924, the rate in 1893. In ten
years, he says, the burden will cease
10 be noted.
The Reclamation Fund.
Washington, Sept. 11.-Commission
II the general land Office, yesterday
ssued a statement showing that ap-
$S,461,49 was covered
INTO the treasury to the credit Of the i,
fund from the sales of
'ublic lands and fees and commissions
n the various irrigation states In 1903.
his amount will be distributed among
he same states. The irrigation n
rejects of the government will be
arried on by means Of this fund. The
tatement shows that an aggregate
( $16,191, 1886 has been received from 4
he sales Of lands in the various states :,
uring 1901, 1902 and 1903 for use in h
irthering irrigation plans. The total ;,
received in 1901 was $S.144,S22 n
nd in 1909, $4,5S5,521. The receipts =
y states in 1908 approximately fol- n
,ws: tgaE i
Arizona. s4S,SS2; California, $7SSs4s; =
$510,072; Idaho, $642,21s; y
ansas, $11S,417; Montana, $552,i6s; =,
ebraska, $11s,8S9; Nevada, $l2,465; D
ew Mexico, s150,12s; North Dakota, ',
.,22S, S44; Oklahoma. $S16,0s7; Oregon, :,
..SS4,730; South Dakota, $2sa,421; :
tab, sS7,520; Washington, u. o99, $50; q.
vyoming, $272,924. sst MI