The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-13
ESTIMATE OF WARE.
He Says 1000 Are Benefited By
New Bill.

Washington. Feb 13-Mr Eugene f.
Ware, commissioner Of pensions, estI-
mates that nearly 1000 veterans OF the
civil war Will be benefited by the pass
age Of the bill which has been adopted
by both the house and senate and IS
now pending in conference, increasing
the pensions OF MANNED eX-soldiers- The
Dill mas been pending in the congress Tor
many years. but has now been passed
by both branches. The senate passed
the Dill first and the house added an
amendment, which permits veterans
who have been pensioned under the act
of June, 1890. to get as high as $50 q
month pension. when they can prove
complete disability. The senate objects
70 TINS amendment and wants it to be
considered as separate measure. The
eon1erees are trying to reach an agree
ment on this point
A great deal of interest centers in
the Dill, which, If it becomes a Iaw,will
add about S.. 900 900 annually to the
pension roll. The measure was drawn
IN benaif of friends of the army and
navy, who have lost limbs in the ser
wee or who are totally disabled. The
pensions of soldiers of this class We're
increased from time to time up 10 1886,
since which period no advances have
been made. All of the men are now
old, and some are wholly disabled by
the raVages of age and disease. The
lowest rate of Increase proposed in the
bill is $40 per month. and it is further
proposed to allow a pension of s100
month for veterans who have lost both
feet as the result of army service. This
rate of pension IS now allowed for the
loss Of both hands
The commissioner of pensions esti
mated that about 600 persons would be
benefited by the passage Of the act and
that 1t would increase the present pen
sion payments about S., 900, 900 a year. Ii
IS proposed to increase the pensions OF
those who shall have lost one hand Of
one foot, or who are totally disabled in
the same, from $50 to $45 a month an
increase Of $3.50 a year. The numbee
Of benefciaries under this provision
now on the rolls is 1853 and the cost OF
increasing their pensions to S45 a month
would be $605,300 per year. The second
provision will embrace pensioners who
nave lost an arm at bout the elbow,
or leg at or about the knee or been
totally disabled in the same. and pro-
Nldes an increase from S36 to $50 per
month. The 1851 pensioners OF this
Grass now on the roll would receive an
additional sum of 1898. 000 per year
The third proposition takes in those
who have lost an arm at the shoulder
JOINT or a leg at the hin Joint or so
near the shoulder or hip joint as to pre-
vent the use Of an artificial limb. and
provides an increase of $3.50 per year
for this class The 1,724 pensioners who
would benefit from this change would
receive an additional sum of 1910. 32O per
year. The fourth provision increases the
pensions of those who have lost one
hand and one foot, or been totally dis
abled IN the same, to $50 month. A
fifth proposition makes provision for a
class of disabilities not now recognized
under existing law. and would probably
take $4,000 out of the treasury each
year Altogether. it is estimated that il
would cost So, 600 600 a year to carry out
the full terms of. the proposed law.